Psoriasis Treatment

Living with the daily discomfort and frustration of psoriasis, the itching, the scaling, the persistent flare-ups, can feel isolating. This chronic condition affects more than just your skin; it can impact your comfort, your confidence, and your overall quality of life. Finding effective Psoriasis Treatment is the first step toward regaining control, clearing your skin, and feeling comfortable again.

At the Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery Institute (DCSI), we understand the physical and emotional toll of this condition. Our team, led by Dr. Mounir M. Wassef, offers compassionate, patient-first care that goes beyond just managing symptoms. From our offices in Wellington and Delray Beach, we serve all of Palm Beach County, providing advanced diagnostics and a full spectrum of treatment options to help you find lasting psoriasis relief.

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic, complex autoimmune condition. It is not contagious. This disease is caused by an overactive immune system that mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, sending faulty signals that tell the body to produce new skin cells far too quickly.

Because the body cannot shed these excess cells fast enough, they build up on the surface of the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes that this rapid accumulation results in the characteristic scaly, red, and often itchy patches known as plaques.¹

Many patients want to know what causes psoriasis flares. While the root cause is genetic and immune-related, flare-ups are often set off by specific triggers. These can include stress, infections (like strep throat), injuries to the skin, certain medications, and even changes in the weather.

There are also several different types of psoriasis, and it’s possible to have more than one. These include:

• Plaque Psoriasis: The most common form, causing raised, scaly plaques.
• Guttate Psoriasis: Often triggered by an infection, appearing as small, dot-like lesions.
• Inverse Psoriasis: Affects skin folds (like the underarms or groin) with smooth, red lesions.
• Pustular Psoriasis: A less common form featuring white pus-filled blisters.

Understanding your specific condition is the key to managing it, which we explore further in our blog, What Is Psoriasis?.

A Personalized Psoriasis Treatment Plan for You

There is no “one-size-fits-all” cure for psoriasis, but significant, long-lasting remission is possible. The journey begins with a thorough consultation and an accurate diagnosis. This isn’t just a quick glance. A diagnosis at our clinic involves a complete review of your medical history, a physical examination of your skin, and a detailed discussion about your life, your triggers, and your goals.

Based on this comprehensive evaluation, we will create a personalized Psoriasis Treatment plan tailored to your specific type of psoriasis, its severity, and your lifestyle. As a full-service practice, our medical dermatology services cover the complete spectrum of care, from initial diagnosis to the most advanced therapies available. This comprehensive approach ensures your Psoriasis Treatment targets the root cause, not just the surface symptoms.

Topical Treatments

For mild to moderate psoriasis, the first step is often topical treatments. These are medications applied directly to the skin that are safe and effective for localized flare-ups. This may include a balanced combination of topical corticosteroids to rapidly reduce inflammation and itching, vitamin D analogs to slow down skin cell growth, and topical retinoids to help normalize cell production and unclog pores.

A common question we hear from patients is, “is vaseline good for psoriasis?” While occlusives like petroleum jelly are not an active treatment for the underlying inflammation, they can be an excellent partner in your care. Applying a heavy moisturizer or petroleum jelly after bathing can be highly effective at locking in moisture, softening scales, and reducing the cracking and itching that disrupt your daily life. We will help you build a complete skincare routine that combines effective moisturizers with your prescribed medical therapies.

Advanced Light and Laser Therapies

When psoriasis is more widespread or persistent, we offer advanced psoriasis light therapy. Also known as phototherapy for psoriasis, this treatment uses controlled, therapeutic exposure to specific wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light. This is a medical procedure, far different from a tanning bed. We use specialized, calibrated equipment to slow rapid cell growth and reduce inflammation directly at the skin level. This process helps to interrupt the faulty immune signals causing the plaques.

For targeted, hard-to-treat areas like the elbows, knees, or scalp, DCSI also offers the excimer laser for psoriasis. This technology delivers a high-intensity, focused beam of light directly to the plaque without affecting the surrounding healthy skin, often resulting in faster clearance for stubborn spots.

Systemic and Biologic Treatments

For moderate to severe psoriasis that doesn’t respond to other therapies, or for those who also have joint involvement, systemic medications may be necessary. The most significant modern breakthrough in this area is biologic treatment for psoriasis. This is a form of advanced psoriasis treatment that works internally.

Unlike older medications that suppress the entire immune system, biologics are precision-engineered proteins. They work by targeting and blocking the very specific inflammatory pathways and proteins in your immune system that are responsible for the psoriasis cycle. This targeted approach has revolutionized the management of the disease, often leading to dramatic, long-term skin clearance and a significantly improved quality of life. As an autoimmune disease, this approach is highly effective, which we explore on our blog about autoimmune skin conditions.

Specialized Care for All Psoriasis Types

Psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body, from the face and hands to the nails and scalp, and each area requires a different approach. Treating the delicate skin of the face, for example, requires a much gentler approach than treating the thick plaques on the elbows. Our team has deep experience in developing effective plaque psoriasis treatment plans, as this is the most common form of the condition.

We also provide effective solutions for scalp psoriasis treatment. This area can be particularly stubborn and frustrating, as it’s often itchy and visible. We use specialized shampoos, topical solutions, and light-based therapies that can penetrate through the hair to treat the scalp directly.

The Psoriatic Arthritis Connection

A crucial, and often overlooked, aspect of psoriasis is its connection to your systemic health. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, up to 30% of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, a related autoimmune condition that attacks the joints.²

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases notes this can cause symptoms like joint pain, stiffness (especially in the morning), and swelling.³ It is crucial to address these symptoms early, as psoriatic arthritis can cause permanent joint damage if left untreated. Our team is trained to screen for the signs of this condition and coordinate care for your psoriasis treatment to protect your joints. This holistic approach is central to how we treat all skin conditions.

Why Choose a Psoriasis Specialist at DCSI?

Managing this chronic condition requires more than a prescription; it requires an ongoing partnership with a dedicated psoriasis specialist. Finding the right Psoriasis Treatment requires a specialist who understands the full range of therapies. A board-certified psoriasis dermatologist at DCSI, like Dr. Wassef, will partner with you for the long term.

We will monitor your condition, help you identify your unique triggers, and adjust your treatment as your life and skin change. Our expertise means we are proficient with the entire toolbox of therapies, from the gentlest topicals to the most advanced biologics. This complete approach to Psoriasis Treatment is what sets our care apart. We stay current on the latest research and clinical trials, ensuring you receive the most effective care available. We discuss our expert-led approach in our guide to treating psoriasis. We are proud to serve our community from our Wellington and Delray Beach offices.

Find Lasting Psoriasis Relief in Palm Beach County

You do not have to manage the physical and emotional burden of psoriasis alone. If you are searching for how to treat psoriasis and find long-term psoriasis relief in South Florida, from Boca Raton to Wellington, we are here to help. Take the first step toward clearer skin, greater comfort, and a better quality of life. Contact us today to schedule your consultation for Psoriasis Treatment.

Contact Dr. Mounir M. Wassef and the DCSI team to begin your journey.