Vitiligo is a disease in which the skin loses pigment due to the destruction
of melanocytes (pigment producing cells). Areas of the skin become white. The
most common sites of pigment loss are body folds (such as the groin or armpits),
around body openings and exposed areas like the face or hands. Vitiligo is
common; in fact 1 to 2% of the general population has it with no predilection
for age, sex, or racial background.
The objective is to assess the effect of the 308-nm excimer laser in the treatment of vitiligo based on the available studies and case series.
We reviewed all relevant articles about 308-nm excimer laser and light sources assessing their efficacy in the management of vitiligo as well as their side effects. The value of combination treatment methods was also analyzed. The available studies provide strong evidence that the excimer laser represents the most effective approach to treat vitiligo compared to ordinary phototherapy. Excimer laser is relatively safe and effective for localized disease. UV-sensitive areas respond best as well as a short duration of the disease.
No significant differences were seen between 308-nm excimer laser and 308-nm excimer lamp on either ≥75% or ≥50% re-pigmentation rate, or between 308-nm excimer laser and narrowband-ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) on either 100% or ≥75% re-pigmentation rate. More patients or lesions achieved ≥50% re-pigmentation rate by 308-nm excimer laser treatment than by NB-UVB treatment. The side effects of 308-nm excimer laser were slight and tolerable.
Excimer laser provides a substantially improved method for delivering UVB light therapy to vitiligo patches. When compared with standard phototherapy, the 308nm xenon-chloride excimer laser has the advantage of having increased precision and the ability to deliver higher energy fluences to the target tissue in less time.
Learn about Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for vitiligo
The objective is to assess the effect of the 308-nm excimer laser in the treatment of vitiligo based on the available studies and case series.
We reviewed all relevant articles about 308-nm excimer laser and light sources assessing their efficacy in the management of vitiligo as well as their side effects. The value of combination treatment methods was also analyzed. The available studies provide strong evidence that the excimer laser represents the most effective approach to treat vitiligo compared to ordinary phototherapy. Excimer laser is relatively safe and effective for localized disease. UV-sensitive areas respond best as well as a short duration of the disease.
No significant differences were seen between 308-nm excimer laser and 308-nm excimer lamp on either ≥75% or ≥50% re-pigmentation rate, or between 308-nm excimer laser and narrowband-ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) on either 100% or ≥75% re-pigmentation rate. More patients or lesions achieved ≥50% re-pigmentation rate by 308-nm excimer laser treatment than by NB-UVB treatment. The side effects of 308-nm excimer laser were slight and tolerable.
Excimer laser provides a substantially improved method for delivering UVB light therapy to vitiligo patches. When compared with standard phototherapy, the 308nm xenon-chloride excimer laser has the advantage of having increased precision and the ability to deliver higher energy fluences to the target tissue in less time.
Learn about Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for vitiligo
