Carbon dioxide laser vaporization of plaque psoriasis.

The treatment of circumscribed plaque psoriasis with a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser as an outpatient procedure is reported in three patients. The growth of new tissue over the healed laser vaporized area was similar to normal skin and has remained free of psoriasis during a follow-up of 3 X 5 years. Laser vaporization appears to be a simple and effective alternative to conventional therapy in cases of plaque psoriasis.