XTRAC® Therapy: An Effective Treatment for Psoriasis, Vitiligo, and Eczema

If you speak with anyone who lives with any of the above conditions on a regular basis, you will quickly learn that the issue goes beyond having a condition that is often so clearly visible. While the goal of any treatment is to reduce symptoms, it is often a struggle to find something that works. Over the years, there have been various treatments created to be helpful, and at Vitalogy Skincare this includes XTRAC® Therapy.

XTRAC is an effective laser that delivers a targeted beam of UVB light to the affected area, without harming the surrounding healthy skin. The UVB light penetrates the skin and breaks up the DNA of T-cells, which contribute to the formation of psoriasis plaques and other skin rashes, slowing down the growth of the affected skin cells. This treatment can be used on any part of the body, including hard-to-treat areas such as the scalp, knees, elbows, and genitals.

A Brief Introduction to XTRAC

Since 2000, it has had FDA clearance to treat psoriasis, vitiligo, and atopic dermatitis. It is helpful for those who have not had success with other treatments, plus it is recommended for nearly everyone, including children, and women who are pregnant or nursing.

Conditions Treated by XTRAC Therapy

As we mentioned, XTRAC has FDA approval to treat the following conditions:

Psoriasis – A common, chronic, non-transmittable condition that causes patches of itchy, scaly, and inflamed skin, called plaques. It is a skin disorder in which skin cells reproduce at a much faster rate than normal, causing the skin cells to build up and form these patches. They commonly appear on the knees, elbows, hands, feet, and scalp. Plaque Psoriasis is the most common type, but other types include pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, and guttate psoriasis. Psoriasis can interfere with sleep and make everyday tasks difficult.

Vitiligo – A skin pigmentation disorder, which appears as skin patches that have lost their color caused by the immune system destroying melanocytes (pigment-producing cells). Vitiligo can appear anywhere on the body but is more likely to develop on the nose, eyes, belly button, elbows, and knees. It affects all sexes, races, and skin tones, and is mostly found in patients between the ages of 10 and 30 years old.

Eczema – A term used to describe a variety of skin conditions that involve inflamed, irritated skin. There are 7 different types of eczema, with atopic dermatitis being one of the most common. This condition is related to an overactive immune system response. Symptoms show as dry and scaly skin, redness, itching, and rashes, and they normally appear behind the ears, on the face, arms, and legs. These reactions are triggered by different irritants or allergens. Other types include contact dermatitis, neurodermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis. 

Advantages of XTRAC 

XTRAC Therapy is highly effective, safe, and painless. Since it limits exposure of healthy skin to the treatment, it allows your Provider to use a higher dose on your problem areas. It avoids side effects such as thinning of the skin which is common when using topical medication. It also doesn’t have the health risks of biologicals and systemic medications, such as liver damage or heart failure. And you can find relief without the messy creams!

Another advantage is that it can typically ease symptoms for 4 to 6 months. The treatments take only 10 minutes, on average, making it easy to handle on anyone’s schedule. This treatment can also be used in conjunction with topical and systemic medications if your Board-Certified Dermatologist thinks it might be more productive for your situation.

What can you expect when you go for an XTRAC treatment?

The XTRAC excimer laser utilizes a fiber-optic system that is placed directly on the skin. Your Dermatologist will move the beams across the affected areas. This laser energy effectively treats active lesions while leaving the healthy skin intact. Some people report a slight burning sensation, but for most, it is a painless procedure that takes 5-10 minutes per treatment. No downtime is needed after the procedure. Depending on your Dermatologist’s recommendations, therapy can be performed 2 to 3 times per week.

Side-effects may include mild redness and/or blistering in the treatment area. Hyperpigmentation may develop, though it will fade over time once treatment is completed. You need to avoid sun exposure after treatment and in between treatments. 

How many sessions will I need?

Most patients will notice an improvement within 3 or 4 treatments. Significant improvement is often seen in 6 to 10 treatments.

XTRAC Therapy is effective at improving your symptoms, but it cannot treat the underlying cause. There is no cure for any of these conditions, so your symptoms may return when you experience another flare-up. At that point, your Dermatologist may suggest another round of treatments.
If you would like to know more about how XTRAC Therapy can help you with your skin condition, book an appointment online with one of our Board-Certified Dermatologists.