The Effect of Flash Lamp—Pulsed Dye Laser on Psoriasis

To the Editor.— Various physical methods have been shown to successfully treat psoriatic plaques. These range from local hyperthermia and cryotherapy to such traumatic techniques as electrodessication, pressing and stretching the lesions, skin abrasion, surgical removal, argon laser therapy, and carbon dioxide laser therapy.1,2 We studied the effect of a flash lamp—pumped pulsed dye laser on chronic psoriatic plaques because of their tremendous vascular component. Further, we discuss the potential mechanisms for its effects and its role in psoriatic therapy. Subjects and Methods.— Twenty patients with chronic, stable psoriatic plaques were selected for this study. There were four women and 16 men, ranging from 25 to 60 years of age. Most of the plaques (80%) used for the study were located on the posterior aspect of the trunk on the lower sacral area. Other sites included the abdomen and the extremities. Plaques were at least 4×4 cm in size.