What's the differences between 308nm excimer lamp and 308nm excimer laser?
The topic of KERNEL popular science today is ‘What's the differences between 308nm excimer lamp and 308nm excimer laser?’
Today we’re going to talk about the application and differences of 308nm excimer lamp and 308nm excimer laser.
Since the first reports in 2002，the 308-nm excimer laser and 308-nm excimer lamp have shown efficacy for treating localized vitiligo. Both types of device are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating vitiligo.
Firstly, let’s see the similarities, they have the same wavelength of 308nm and they’re all proved very efficient for treating vitiligo.
Then we’ll focus on the differences:
A) The light source, 308nm excimer lamp uses the XeCl as the light source, which is more safe, stable and can be controlled easily; while the 308nm excimer laser uses laser as light source, of which the momentary output intensity so high so that the treating time will be shorter.
B) The cost, as we all know the 308nm excimer laser costs pretty high and is about ten times or more than the 308nm excimer lamp. That means the 308nm excimer lamp is easier available for ordinary people who’re suffered by vitiligo.
C) The pigmentation; research proved that after the treatment, 308nm excimer lamp will leave more pigmentation than 308nm excimer laser. It’s proved by a experiment, doing the MED test in one patient using same dose (308nm excimer laser and lamp), and it turns out that the erythema area radiated by 308nm excimer lamp is more obvious.
D) Size, the laser emitting machine is too big and hard to move(the cost consumable material is extremely expensive); while the 308 excimer lamp is portable and convenient for carrying.
E) Safety, as we all know, the speed and intensity of laser is so fast and high and it’s not so easy to control manually, while 308 excimer lamp is more maneuverable. That means the 308 excimer lamp is suitable for applying to the clinical device use at home, which is easy to control the dose and treating time, far more safe and convenient for patients.
In conclusion, the 308-nm excimer laser and the 308-nm excimer lamp are equivalent for inducing repigmentation of vitligo.
While both devices deliver roughly the same wave- length, they are not totally comparable. Indeed, the laser and lamp are different in terms of physical properties and cost, although the 308-nm excimer laser allows quicker treatments, it remains expensive and its use is restricted to rare specialized areas. The 308- nm excimer lamp is smaller and less expensive and could allow 308-nm excimer targeted phototherapy to become more accessible.
References:
THERAPEUTICS British journal of Dermatologsy
308-nm excimer lamp vs. 308-nm excimer laser for treatings vitiligo: a randomized study
Kernel’s 308nm excimer lamp series products are all available for your reference and choice.
http://www.kernelmedint.com/product-list/portable-308nm-excimer-lamp
http://www.kernelmedint.com/product-list/308nm-excimer-laser
Feel free to contact us if you have any problems about our 308 excimer lamp devices.