For vitiligo and psoriasis treatment, phototherapy light bulbs of narrowband UVB which release wavelengths of 311 nm is equally effective as PUVA treatment, proved in a recent research. Light source of high power is being produced by 308-nm excimer laser (which is a recently developed treatment) is nearly close to the effective wavelength of 311-nm UVB phototherapy. For the treatment of psoriasis, laser is very effective and it has been shown in the early studies. It clears the localized sign of disease around 5 times faster than the bulbs of traditional UVB. In this conducted study, efficiency of 308-nm excimer laser has been evaluated by the investigators for vitiligo treatment.

For this treatment experiment, 18 patients were selected and given laser treatment 3 times weekly on 29 spots of vitiligo and maximum 12 treatments were given. 57% of vitiligo signs achieved repigmentation a bit and they were given minimum 6 treatments and the same repigmentation achieved by those 82% vitiligo spots which were given all the 12 treatments. No side effects were noted except mild erythema which was found in some treated sites. And complete repigmentation had been achieved by one patient.

Jeffrey S. Dover, MD, PFCPC

Published on 31st July 2002 in Journal Watch Dermatology