Psoriasis care

Living with psoriasis isn’t easy. It can cause discomfort, visible skin changes, and emotional stress. Flare-ups may last weeks or even months to years, making daily life harder. Treatments for psoriasis have dramatically improved over the last two decades and now many patients can expect that they will be able to get clear or nearly clear skin.

At Penn Dermatology, we provide advanced care for tough-to-treat psoriasis. Our specialized treatments can calm symptoms and even lead to long periods of relief. With a psoriasis care plan designed just for you, we’ll help you manage flare-ups and feel more comfortable every day. Psoriasis is also more than skin deep. Our dermatologists work closely with other Penn Medicine clinicians in rheumatology, cardiology, endocrinology, and internal medicine to holistically treat psoriasis resulting in the best health outcomes for patients.

Psoriasis is a long-recognized skin condition that’s been researched for generations. As the country’s first dermatology department, Penn Medicine specialists have treated it for many years. Our dermatologists are recognized as some of the best, often noted by publications such as Philadelphia Magazine’s Top Docs™, Best Doctors in America, and America’s Top Doctors for their outstanding patient care and expertise in treating diseases of the skin, hair, and nails. Penn Dermatology has been a global leader in psoriasis research for decades. Our dermatologists have been involved in the testing and development of virtually all available psoriasis treatments.

If your provider recommends a skin biopsy to help diagnose psoriasis, our dermatopathologists (skin pathology specialists) are among the nation’s leading experts. Physicians throughout the Philadelphia region and across the country send biopsies to Penn Dermatology for precise and comprehensive diagnoses of skin conditions.

For those with severe psoriasis, the Penn Dermatology Psoriasis Day Care Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania offers a unique treatment experience to help relieve your psoriasis symptoms. As one of the few centers in the country focused on intensive treatment, we use therapeutic baths, topical treatments, and ultraviolet light to help your skin heal, often without the need for internal medications.

During your visit, you can take breaks in our comfortable lounge, where you’ll find TV, DVDs, a kitchen, and complimentary meals.

Light therapy for psoriasis

For people with widespread psoriasis or those who prefer a non-pharmaceutical approach, light therapy at the Penn Dermatology Phototherapy Treatment Center can help reduce sores, scales, and inflammation. This is a natural form of treatment harnessing a single wavelength of sunlight that is highly effective at treating psoriasis.

Phototherapy uses ultraviolet (UV) light to slow fast-growing skin cells and ease inflammation, making it an effective psoriasis treatment. This safe, gentle therapy is available at the treatment center, and you can also talk to your provider about at-home light therapy options, which have been studied by Penn Dermatology to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness.

We also offer a highly localized form of light therapy called Excimer laser. This form of light treatment is highly effective for treating small patches of psoriasis.