Pulsed Dye Vs Excimer Laser for Psoriasis

Implications: Patient satisfaction is high, but long term effects including possible carcinogenesis remain uncertain. Side effects included blistering, and hyperpigmentation in both groups, but no scarring.

Analysis: Both the excimer and Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) can deliver long term remission for chronic plaque type psoriasis. On average, the excimer is more effective, but in a small subset, the PDL treatment worked better. Although the excimer has been specifially marketed for psoriasis, it has been confirmed that the PDL whichis muchmore widelty available, is also a very useful treatment option. Response rates varied from 69-85% in the excimer group, and 57-82% inb the PDL group.