Psoriasis can turn something as simple as wearing shorts into a debate over how much skin to show.
Psoriasis treatment options in Vienna, VA, range from creams to injections, and many people find a combination that keeps their skin calmer and clearer.
No single treatment works for everyone, so it can take a few adjustments to find the right fit.
Some background on psoriasis treatment options can help you arrive at your appointment with sharper questions.
What Happens Beneath a Psoriasis Patch
Psoriasis begins with the immune system, which mistakenly attacks healthy skin and pushes new skin cells to grow too quickly.
The extra cells pile up on the surface and form scaly patches.
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type, often affecting the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.
Patches tend to look pink or red with silver scales on lighter skin, and purplish or gray on darker skin.
Other types include guttate psoriasis, which often follows strep throat, and inverse psoriasis, which forms in skin folds.
Psoriasis is not contagious. Flares come and go, sometimes lasting weeks or months before easing.
Psoriasis Treatment Options in Vienna, VA: Creams and Ointments for Mild Cases
Creams and ointments are the most common starting point for treatment, and they are often enough for mild psoriasis.
Steroid creams work quickly and come in many strengths for thicker or thinner plaques.
Synthetic vitamin D creams offer another option, and salicylic acid can soften plaques and loosen scale.
Many people combine two of these for better control.
Thin-skinned areas like the face and body folds may call for gentler formulas. Your dermatologist may adjust products until itching and scale ease.
How Light and Laser Treatments Slow Skin Cell Growth
When creams alone fall short, light becomes the next tool. Under a dermatologist’s supervision, special bulbs or lasers deliver controlled doses of light that can slow skin cell growth.
Laser treatment can also improve redness, cracking, and flaking in stubborn patches.
Tanning beds and unprotected sun are no substitute because sunburn and excess UV exposure can worsen psoriasis and raise skin cancer risk.
Pills, Injections, and Infusions for Widespread Psoriasis
Widespread or disabling psoriasis often calls for medication that works throughout the body.
Systemic psoriasis treatment options come as pills, injections, or infusions.
Biologics, given by injection or infusion, are typically reserved for psoriasis that has not responded to other treatments.
Systemic medication also helps when joint pain, stiffness, or swelling signals psoriatic arthritis.
How Your Dermatologist Chooses the Right Treatment
Diagnosis comes first, usually through a skin, scalp, and nail exam during a medical dermatology visit.
Questions about symptoms, joint pain, and family history fill in the picture.
Before recommending psoriasis treatment options, your dermatologist weighs your type of psoriasis, where it appears, and how severe it is.
Other health conditions and current medications factor in, too.
Follow-up visits track how well treatment is working. They also check for nail changes and early joint symptoms that can come with psoriasis.
Everyday Precautions Between Visits
Treatment works best alongside a few everyday precautions.
Common triggers include infections, cold and dry weather, and skin injuries such as cuts or bug bites.
Smoking and heavy drinking can also bring on flares.
Scratching tends to worsen patches, so gentle itch relief and careful bathing help protect irritated skin.
Care for Every Age at Dr. Marjan Yousefi’s Practice
Dr. Marjan Yousefi is a board-certified dermatologist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Her practice treats both adults and children, an advantage because about a third of psoriasis cases begin in childhood.
Each treatment approach is tailored after an in-person assessment of your skin.
Get More Info on Psoriasis Treatment Options in Vienna, VA, or Book Now!
Once flares are under control, wearing shorts, short sleeves, or a swimsuit can come with renewed confidence in your skin.
Call 703-255-5070 to explore psoriasis treatment options at the Vienna office.
Whether you are new to the practice or returning, you can book online anytime or send the office a message with questions.
Meet Your Doctor: Marjan Yousefi, M.D., FAAD
Dr. Marjan Yousefi is a board-certified dermatologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (FAAD) providing medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatologic care across Northern Virginia, with modern offices in Arlington and Vienna.
Distinguished Education & Oncology Fellowship
- Medical Degree: The George Washington University Medical Center (with undergraduate studies at GWU and a focused study year at Oxford University).
- Dermatology Residency: Geisinger Medical Center.
- Specialized Fellowship: Completed an elite Melanoma Fellowship at the Washington Cancer Institute.
Comprehensive Skin Health & Aesthetic Precision
Dr. Yousefi combines rigorous clinical dermatology with non-surgical aesthetic rejuvenation, tailored for pediatric and adult patients:
- Medical & Surgical Dermatology: Expert skin cancer screenings, melanoma management, surgical excisions, psoriasis therapy, and advanced acne treatments.
- Cosmetic Injectables & Lasers: Subtle facial rejuvenation with Botox®, Dysport®, Juvéderm®, Restylane®, and Sculptra®, paired with Sciton Halo®, MicroLaserPeel, and BroadBand Light (BBL™) therapy.