XTRAC Laser Provides New Hope for Children with Psoriasis

MONTGOMERYVILLE, Pa., June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- About 20,000 children in the United States under the age of 10 are diagnosed with psoriasis every year. For many, the disease goes beyond painful red, dry patches of scaly, thickened skin; the emotional side-effects are equally life altering—with nearly 50 percent of children reporting that they have been bullied because of their disease.  The XTRAC® Excimer Laser (www.XTRACLaser.com) offers new hope for this often underserved population, giving children a safe and effective treatment option that provides relief without the negative side-effects commonly associated with other psoriasis treatments.

Developed by PhotoMedex, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHMD), an innovator of medical devices, the XTRAC laser is a proven, FDA-cleared phototherapy treatment for psoriasis that uses a carefully focused beam of UVB light only on the affected area without exposing healthy skin to UVB rays. While medications and creams are generally accepted to be a patient's only option, parents should know that they can get better—and safer—results for their children with XTRAC laser treatments.

"The XTRAC laser provides mild-to-severe psoriasis sufferers with long-term relief, with remission periods lasting four to six months and often up to a year," said Ronald Glick, D.O., Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, PC in Phoenix, Ariz. "It allows children to be carefree and avoid the social stigmas often associated with the disease. Psoriasis can have a daunting emotional impact. It often contributes to anxiety, low self-esteem, difficulty sleeping and bouts of depression in children and teens."

In a National Psoriasis Foundation survey of children with psoriasis, 44 percent of kids reported they have been bullied by their peers, and 38 percent stated the abuse was a direct result of their psoriasis.  Of those bullied, 65 percent said it caused anxiety, and nearly one-quarter had a decrease in academic performance.

The XTRAC laser also provides children a safer treatment option, allowing them to avoid the often dangerous side-effects of treatment options such as topical steroids, full-body UVB exposure, systemic medications or biologics.  Those techniques may produce a range of effects, from premature aging of healthy skin to the risk of malignancies and tuberculosis.  Patients who use XTRAC often see a 75 percent or greater improvement in affected areas in six to ten brief treatment sessions, which are delivered twice a week. The laser is effective even on areas that are difficult to treat, such as elbows, knees and the scalp, as well as widespread psoriasis covering as much as 20 percent of body surface area. The XTRAC laser is the only clinically proven, FDA-cleared dermatology excimer laser with independent safety and quality certifications.

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.

For more information about the National Psoriasis Foundation survey on childhood bullying and psoriasis, visit www.psoriasis.org/wpd.

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

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Xtrac-Psoriasis-Vitiligo/159178087466723

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 specialty pharmaceutical products. Medical Devices include the XTRAC® Excimer Laser for the treatment of skin diseases, including 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, wound healing, and non-melanoma skin cancer. Adding to these therapies, the company markets a broad range of specialty pharmaceutical products based upon its patented, clinically proven Copper Peptide technology for skin health, hair care, and wound care including its ProCyte brands of Neova®, DNA Damage Control, Tricomin® and Graftcyte®. PhotoMedex sells directly to dermatologists, plastic and cosmetic surgeons, spas, salons, and through licenses with 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 other surgical specialties.

SOURCE PhotoMedex, Inc.