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EXCIMER LASER Treatment for Vitiligo
Excimer Laser can possibly deliver an effective result . If you suffer from Vitiligo you know the agony that white spots can cause. Uneven skin color and not one current therapy that is totally effective . Now there is another option where you might be able to enjoy effective relief from the unsightly symptoms of Vitiligo . With treatment sessions just lasting a few minutes, the excimer laser might change your life.
Eximer Laser cleared for Vitiligo treatment
Excimer Laser approved by FDA ( USA ) to treat Vitiligo . Excimer Laser potentially stimulates melanocytes that may be present deep in the skin .
Q: How does the Excimer system work?
A: The 308nm excimer laser is a newer treatment option that can yield impressive results. Using a carefully focused beam of Laser light delivered through a fiberoptic device,the Eximer system can treat unsightly vitiligo patches quickly and effectively in some patients . Because it concentrates light only on the affected area , the laser can deliver the doses necessary to help stimulate the melanocytes without exposing healthy skin UV radiation, as in traditional phototherapy .
Q: How long do treatment session last?
A: Treatments vary depending on body surface area affected with the disease. Most treatment sessions last only a few minutes - in fact less than five minutes.
Q: What happens during treatment?
A: The Laser Hand piece is moved over the affected area , focusing Laser light at your determined dose .Depending on size of the area to be treated this usually takes only few minutes
EXCIMER FOR VITILIGO OR WHITE SPOTS
The Excimer laser has also been recommended to help improve vitiligo. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease wherein the body's own defense or immune system attacks its own melanocytes or pigment-producing cells. They don't make pigment unless those areas are white. There are many other causes of whitened skin including eczema, sun damage and others.
SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects can include a sunburn type of reaction or blistering. There are rare patients whose vitiligo may get worse upon exposure to light, and we can only know this once the patients have been treated. If you have a history of this worsening with any kind of light, even sunlight, You should not be treated.
You should not have any laser or any light based therapy if you have any photosensitive diseases such as lupus erythematosus, porphyria, or albinism. You must stop any photosensitive medicines at least two days before your treatment unless your prescribing doctor told you not to. Always check! These include anti-arthritis drugs such as gold or methotrexate: any antibiotic from the tetracycline group including Tetracycline, Minocycline, Doxycycline, Vibramycin, Doryx, Solodyn, and Dynacin; acne medicines including Accutane, Cipro, or any of the "quinolone medications"; oral antifungals including Griseofulvin; anti-arrhythmia drugs including Chlorpromazine; NSAIDs including Naprosyn, Advil; diuretics.
If you are treating Ethnic patients (Skin of Color) for vitiligo there is a significant risk of hyperpigmentation (darkening) on the surrounding normal skin. Any laser is potentially inflammatory to some degree, and such inflammation (burn) could darken (or lighten) any normal skin - particularly if it was dark to begin with.
Because of this there is always a risk. Sometimes vitiligo can occur on the face - particularly near the lips. If so there is the risk that any type of treatment can flare or worsen underlying cold sores whether you know you have it or not. A herpes flare up could cause pain, pigment, infection, and scarring. If you know you have this we do not recommend this procedure.
Blistering may occur.
There may be increased pigmentation (or even loss of pigmentation if there was a blistering sunburn type of reaction).
Any form of ultraviolet light - whether under light bulbs, behind a window, or even outdoors can cause an increase incidence of skin cancer later in life in some patients. This usually occurs after many treatments and in older people. It also usually occurs in people with fair or freckled skin.
Ultraviolet light treatments may also cause premature aging over time as well as freckling and pigmentation. Ultraviolet rays may damage the eyes and increase the risk of cataracts. This is completely preventable by wearing the protective eye goggles that you will be given during your treatment.
ALTERNATIVES
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There are other options for the treatment of vitiligo but the success can be very good, modest, minimal or zero. There are experimental procedures for vitiligo but this is only being done at university centers.
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Even if there is repigmentation in part or all of the vitiliginous areas, there is no guarantee that the pigmentation will last or continue. Some areas may repigment - others may not. Others may repigment and then lose their pigment all over again anyway.
The Excimer laser will not cure this disease - it may only help localized treated areas. Treating any area with the Excimer laser does not prevent vitiligo or other similar problems from appearing anywhere else. There is no cure.
This is an ultraviolet light-based treatment. DO NOT sunburn afterwards!
For some patient thanks to the Excimer Laser system you are likely to find that you are spending a lot less time treating your vitiligo. Not every patient gets the results they want. The results are variable.
Will they ever find a treatment or a cure that works well for everyone?
Because people are different, and because there are thought to be many different causes of vitiligo, different treatments work better for different people. It is important to be willing to try new therapies if others are not working. Just because one treatment did not work for you, does not mean something else won't. As biotechnology improves, and as understanding of the human genome advances, and with ever more powerful computers to assist researchers, it seems almost certain that treatment therapies will continue to improve in convenience and effectiveness.
New York Dermatology by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Gary Rothfeld is a board certified NYC Dermatologist with a New York City office in Manhattan, New York providing expert skin care, dermatology, and cosmetic dermatology services. A Park Avenue practice with an international reputation in general, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology.
Dr Gary sees every patient himself and believes in personalized care. The Doctor does not employ any physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or other physician substitutes to do his treatment. He sees every patient himself at every visit.
It is vital to undergo a full pre assessment to ensure that your skin type is fully assessed and to be accurate about your medical history. This particular procedure might not be the right treatment for you. It is crucial that the Doctor does a full History and Physical Examination and listens to your concerns. It very important to understand the individual needs of each patient because one procedure could work on one patient and then not another.
Each patient’s condition is carefully evaluated and the best treatment(s) are chosen to ensure an optimal outcome. Treatments are performed by Dr. Gary who has extensive dermatology and cosmetic dermatology experience and training. This allows the Doctor to offer top-quality services in every area of dermatology and the cosmetic dermatology field, while ensuring patients safety and satisfaction.
Dr. Rothfeld, recognized by the by the entertainment industry of America as one of the best dermatologists in Manhattan, has organized a comprehensive skin care center offering personalized state of the art services including medical,pediatric, and cosmetic dermatology.
New York Dermatology serves the following neighborhoods within New York (NY), which are in close proximity to our office:
Upper East Side Dermatology, Fifth Avenue Dermatology, Park Avenue Dermatology, Madison Avenue Dermatology, Upper West Side Dermatology, Midtown Dermatology, Lower East Side Dermatology,Chelsea Dermatology, Gramercy Park Dermatology, Murray Hill Dermatology, Greenwich Village Dermatology, East Village Dermatology, West Village Dermatology, Soho Dermatology, Tribeca Dermatology, Meatpacking District Dermatology, Sutton Place Dermatology, Wall Street Dermatology, Hells Kitchen Dermatology, and the boroughs of Brooklyn Dermatology , Bronx Dermatology, Queens Dermatology and Staten Island Dermatology.Dr. Gary Rothfeld is recognized as one of the best Dermatologist in New York, NY, Manhattan, NYC, New York City and the nation by the entertainment industry in the United States of America. At New York Dermatology headed by board certified Dermatologist Dr. Rothfeld, sees patients 7 days a week including Saturday and Sunday.
We accept all credit cards as well as debit cards for payment of services.
Open 7 Days A Week — Se Habla Español
Park Avenue Dermatology & the Non-Surgical Rejuvenation Center
Board Certified Dermatologist
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