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Updated: Oct 1, 2026
The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
High-dose 308-nm excimer laser for the treatment of psoriasis
Manju Trehan1, Charles R Taylor
1Gange Photomedicine Research Center, Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. mtrehan@partners.org
Background:
The excimer laser can deliver high-intensity ultraviolet B (UVB) energy at 308 nm, a wavelength similar to that used in narrow-band UVB phototherapy.
Objective:
The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the role of high-dose single treatments with the excimer 308-nm laser in stable plaque-type psoriasis.
Methods:
Eighteen volunteers were enrolled in the study. Two plaques were selected and half of each plaque was held as a control while the other half was treated with a single dose of either 8 or 16 times the minimal erythema dose.
Results:
Sixteen subjects completed the study. Two patients signed up but never actually participated because of scheduling problems. Eleven showed significant improvement within 1 month, and 5 still demonstrated persistent areas of clearing at 4 months.
Conclusion:
As little as one high-dose excimer laser treatment can be effective for localized plaque-type psoriasis. Multiple treatments or other irradiation schedules with this innovative device may prove even more efficacious.
