Is the Pharos Therapy safe to use on children?
Yes. PHAROS treatments have been performed on children as young as just a few years old.
Pharos Excimer Laser
At Cahaba Dermatology, we are excited to offer a revolutionary laser for treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo and hand eczema. Using a carefully focused beam of laser light delivered through a sophisticated liquid light guide delivery system, the Pharos system is designed to clear unsightly psoriatic skin plaques quickly and effectively. Because it concentrates light on active lesions, Pharos allows your health care technician to deliver the high therapeutic doses necessary for rapid clearing without risk to healthy skin.
Rather than walking into an ultraviolet light box, whether UVA or UVB, and being exposed to a broad range of wavelengths, Excimer Laser (Pharos) therapy is a targeted light treatment (308nm) for patients with small areas of skin involvement or hard-to-treat/reach locations such as the scalp. It is typically used for psoriasis and vitiligo. In addition, rather than treating your whole body in a light box, that may expose the rest of you to unneeded treatment, the laser treats specifically only the targeted thick plaques, or areas that are lacking in pigment. It is not a magic wand that erases all psoriasis, nor is it ionizing radiation such as x-rays. Any light, specifically this wavelength, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and anti-proliferative agent for the psoriasis cells.
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Is the Pharos Therapy safe to use on pregnant women or women who are nursing?
Yes.
How quickly will I see results?
Most patients will begin to notice improvement in their psoriasis within 3 or 4 treatments. Significant improvement is often seen in 6 to 10 treatments, with clearance in 10 to 20 treatments. Individual results will vary.
Is there any pain associated with the Pharos Therapy?
No. Most patients feel no pain or discomfort during the PHAROS EXCIMER Therapy.
How long does a treatment take?
Treatments are relatively quick. The exact time depends on how many psoriasis areas are being treated with the PHAROS. Typically, patients can be in and out of the treatment room in ten to fifteen minutes.
How long will psoriasis clearing last?
Each patient is unique, but psoriasis sufferers who have experienced the PHAROS Therapy have found that relief can last for extended periods of time, typically 4 to 6 months or longer than other psoriasis treatments.
Is the Pharos Therapy covered by my insurance company?
All major insurance companies and Medicare provide coverage for the PHAROS laser treatments.
How often is the Pharos Therapy given?
The Therapy is performed two to three times per week at our office.
Can I use other treatments along with the Pharos Therapy, such as topicals or biologics?
Each treatment plan is individualized for you, if additional treatments are required Dr. Groysman will discuss this with you.
Excimer for vitiligo or white spots
The PHAROS Excimer Laser offers a revolutionary new treatment for patients suffering from vitiligo, white stretch marks, white scars, lightening of the skin from previous laser treatments, trauma, or other causes. This laser uses a carefully focused beam of light delivered through a sophisticated fiber optic device. The PHAROS system allows the practitioner to use high doses of UVB light necessary to only treat the lighter skin, while minimizing the risk of exposure to the healthy, pigmented skin. Remissions are expected to last months to even years.
What are the benefits of Pharos Laser in depigmented skin?
- Treats vitiligo
- Treats white stretch marks
- Treats white scars
- Treats lightening of the skin from previous laser procedures
- Provides long-lasting relief
- Quick, easy treatment: sessions last only a few minutes
- Relief without messy creams and daily skin care regimen
The expected benefits of treatment:
- Precision – a UV laser targets affected skin and spares surrounding healthy tissue from exposure.
- Comfortable – Unlike other types of laser treatments that can cause discomfort, excimer lasers are pain-free.
- Fast recovery times – laser treatments cause virtually no downtime for patients.
- Effectiveness – treatment with excimer lasers provides rapid results and at times remissions, even in cases where the condition has not responded to other treatments.
- Improvement of existing lesions in psoriasis and improvement of hypopigmented (light) areas in vitiligo.