PhotoMedex Helps Psoriasis Patients Ease Winter Skin Care Woes

MONTGOMERYVILLE, Pa., Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Winter brings a whole set of skin problems for many people, however, these problems are even worse for the 7.5 million Americans who suffer from psoriasis. Cold weather, dry indoor heat, lack of ultraviolet rays from sunlight and other environmental factors rob the skin of the moisture it needs, causing psoriasis symptoms to flare up. Additionally, winter colds weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to resist psoriasis outbreaks.

With XTRAC® Excimer Laser (www.XTRACLaser.com) treatments, psoriasis sufferers can get relief from their winter skin care woes. The XTRAC Excimer Laser, developed by PhotoMedex, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHMD), an innovator of medical devices, is the only clinically proven, FDA-cleared dermatology excimer laser with independent safety and quality certifications. It provides targeted phototherapy treatment for psoriasis, offering safe, effective and lasting results.

"It's common knowledge that psoriasis patients experience the worst flare ups in the winter," said Charles Stack, a psoriasis patient in Chicago. "But after seeing the level of clarity I've been able to achieve with the XTRAC Excimer Laser, I'm feeling confident I'll have a better season keeping my plaque psoriasis symptoms under control this winter."

Dr. Amy Forman Taub, Medical Director of Advanced Dermatology in Chicago, suggests the following tips to help psoriasis sufferers manage flare ups this winter:

1. Get some light: Exposure to ultraviolet light is a key factor in clearing psoriasis symptoms. Since winter means less access to sunlight, psoriasis sufferers often see an increase in flare-ups during this time of year. However, psoriasis patients can receive just the right amount of ultraviolet light during the dark days of fall and winter with targeted phototherapy treatments using the XTRAC Excimer Laser. The treatment specifically targets the affected areas with a carefully focused beam of light without exposing the entire body, and provides significant relief after just a few treatments.
2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize: Give your skin some relief from the dry cold air and be sure to moisturize often. The best time to apply moisturizer is after baths and showers. I recommend Mavena Body Care Lipolotion and Mavena Special Care Cream to those that visit our specialty skincare boutique, Skinfo, especially those with psoriasis.
3. Limit those long, hot showers: While a hot shower sounds nice during the cold days of winter, it dries the skin out more and is likely to increase the itchiness associated with psoriasis. Make your showers short with lukewarm water and use soap made for sensitive skin.
4. De-Stress: Stress is a big player in triggering or worsening psoriasis flare ups, look for ways to relax such as meditation, yoga, etc.

"Don't wait too long to see your dermatologist when you start to flare up, especially in the Fall or Winter," says Dr. Taub. "The longer you wait, the worse it's going to get and the harder it will be to get your symptoms back under control."

Broad coverage of the XTRAC treatments for psoriasis by Medicare and all major insurance companies now provides greater access to care for psoriasis sufferers who have spent their lives suffering from among other symptoms associated with the disease, dry, red, itchy and often painful areas of skin.

For more information about the XTRAC excimer laser, visit www.XTRACLaser.com. The website features a TeleCare Center where patients can speak directly with highly experienced clinical specialists about the XTRAC laser therapy. The specialists also will assist those interested in making appointments with physicians experienced in providing XTRAC laser treatments.

To help psoriasis sufferers keep their skin moisturized this winter, fans of the XTRAC Facebook page can receive a free sample of NEOVA Intense Brightening Complex, a highly effective, illuminating formula that minimizes the appearance of localized discolorations, speeds the emergence of undamaged, healthy skin and brightens without irritation.  Fans who comment on the XTRAC Facebook wall with a tip on managing their psoriasis during the winter months will receive a free sample and a 20 percent off coupon.

Connect with XTRAC on Twitter - www.Twitter.com/XTRACPsoriasis and on
Facebook - XTRAC Facebook page 

About PhotoMedex

PhotoMedex is a leader in the development, manufacturing, and global marketing of dermatology products and techniques focused on advancing cost-effective technologies that provide patients with better outcomes and a higher quality of life. The company is uniquely positioned to research and commercialize therapies that innovatively combine both medical devices and science-based aesthetic products. Medical devices include the XTRAC®  Excimer Laser for the treatment of skin diseases like psoriasis and vitiligo; and the Omnilux™ non-laser light-emitting diodes (LED) for the treatment of clinical and aesthetic dermatological conditions, including acne, photodamage, skin rejuvenation, and wound healing. Adding to these therapies, the company markets a broad range of specialty skin-care products based upon its clinically proven DNA + Copper Peptide technologies for skin heath and Copper Peptide Complexes for hair and wound care, including its NEOVA®, DNA Damage Control™, Tricomin® and Graftcyte® brands. PhotoMedex sells directly to dermatologists; plastic and cosmetic surgeons, spas; salons; and, through strategic partners, in the consumer market. In addition, the company manufactures and distributes surgical lasers and disposables to hospitals and surgery centers for procedures in multiple surgical specialties. For more information please visit www.photomedex.com.

SOURCE PhotoMedex, Inc.