title: Absence of Koebnerization Following Ablative and Nonablative Laser Therapy in Patients With Plaque Psoriasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The adverse effects of laser procedures performed in patients with psoriasis have not been reported to date.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors report the incidence of koebnerization in patients with psoriasis who underwent laser treatment with different devices over the past 12 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 38 patients with psoriasis treated with laser therapy were reviewed. Patient characteristics, including duration and severity of psoriasis, baseline psoriasis treatment, laser modality and settings, facial areas treated, and number of sessions, were collected. The primary outcome of interest was incidence of koebnerization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the 38 patients with psoriasis treated with laser therapy experienced subsequent koebnerization. Seven patients were on oral systemic medications, 14 were on biologic agents, and 3 were on combination therapy. None of the patients experienced skin infections, delayed healing, or scarring, irrespective of their psoriasis therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Koebnerization did not occur on the face, neck, or scalp of patients with psoriasis who underwent laser therapy, irrespective of psoriasis severity or types of psoriasis medications they were receiving. Although these results are encouraging, the risk of koebnerization should be discussed with patients with psoriasis who wish to undergo laser procedures.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sachsman
authors.forename: Vandana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Madkan
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult