Psoriasis Specialist

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a group of skin conditions that stem from an issue with your immune system. This autoimmune disease develops when your immune system — which usually protects you from illness — mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in your body and causes inflammation.

As a result of the immune response, the growth cycle of your skin cells speeds up. Normally, it takes about a month for skin cells to grow, die, and fall off. 

During a psoriasis flare-up, the entire process happens in just 3-4 days. The cells don’t have time to shed quickly, so dead cells build up into plaques and scales on your skin’s surface. 

Psoriasis flare-ups tend to happen intermittently. You might get symptoms for a few weeks or months in a row before experiencing a long period of time without them. 

Which type of psoriasis do I have?

There are several types of psoriasis with varied symptoms and complications. Your provider at Metroderm DC: Medical, Laser, and Aesthetic Dermatology Center examines you and might perform some tests to determine which type you have. 

Some of the most common types of psoriasis are:

Plaque psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form and results in dry, red patches that often include white or silvery scales across their surfaces. Most often, they appear on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.

Nail psoriasis

Nail psoriasis affects your fingernails and toenails, making them pitted and discolored. In some cases, the nails loosen or crumble. 

Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis usually comes after a bacterial infection and can affect children and adults. It results in smaller-scaled lesions on your torso, arms, or legs. 

Other, less common forms of psoriasis include inverse psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, and erythrodermic psoriasis.

What are my psoriasis treatment options?

The experts at Metroderm DC: Medical, Laser, and Aesthetic Dermatology Center can guide you through psoriasis treatment. They use multiple approaches to manage and prevent psoriasis flare-ups, including three state-of-the-art procedures:

Ultraviolet therapy

Controlled doses of UV light can treat psoriasis patches or lesions. You’ll get the procedure several times a week until there’s a notable reduction in inflammation, and then you can return for maintenance treatments. 

XTRAC®

XTRAC laser therapy targets psoriasis lesions with a concentrated beam of ultraviolet B (UVB) light. It breaks apart the DNA of T cells, which largely contribute to the formation of psoriasis plaques. 

Biologic therapy

Biologic therapy involves drugs called biologics that are usually administered via injections. They work by altering your immune system. You must take them under close physician supervision.

If you have recurrent psoriasis flare-ups, call Metroderm DC: Medical, Laser, and Aesthetic Dermatology Center or book a consultation online today.

We see patients for botox, fillers, acne scars, skin tightening, neck wrinkles, brown spots, and offer Radio frequency Microneedling, Threadlifting, coolpeel laser that can help treat sun damage with one day recovery and no down time. Call us to book your appointment today.


We offer Same-day dermatology appointments in Washington, DC. Call us to book your appointment today.