The Use of the 308-nm Excimer Laser for the Treatment of Vitiligo

Background: Recent reports show that 308-nm excimer laser may be an effective and safe method for the treatment of vitiligo, which is usually resistant to other available treatment methods.

Objective: The objective was to study the effectiveness of the new 308-nm excimer laser for the treatment of vitiligo.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of thirty-two patients with 55 spots of vitiligo were enrolled; a population-based sample was studied that included men and women, adults and children, with different ethnic backgrounds. The treatment was started with the lowest dose, which is 100 mJ/cm(2) (comparable to one minimal erythema dose value and one multiplier). Depending on Fitzpatrick skin type, the dose was raised gradually in a stepwise fashion. In skin types I to II, the same does was repeated twice before going up to avoid burns. Patients were treated for 30 sessions, or 75% repigmentation, whichever comes first.

Results: Overall 55 spots were treated: 29 (52.8%) had 75% pigmentation or greater, and 35 (63.7%) had 50% pigmentation or greater. The best results were on the face: of the 21 spots treated 15 (71.5%) had 75% pigmentation, and 16 (76.2%) had 50% pigmentation or greater. Other areas (neck, extremities, trunk, and genitals) had moderate response in comparison to the face. The least response was on the hands and feet; of the 5 spots treated only 20% showed 50% pigmentation or more.

Conclusion: Slightly more than 50% of the patients tested showed 75% or more pigmentation of their lesions, after 30 treatments or less; most of the responders had Fitzpatrick skin type III and above. All the untreated patches (controls) remained unchanged. This demonstrates that the 308-nm excimer laser is an effective method of treatment for vitiligo.