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308‐nm excimer laser for the treatment of localized vitiligo
Author(s) -
Taneja Atul,
Trehan Manju,
Taylor Charles R.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-4362.2003.01997.x
Subject(s) - medicine , vitiligo , excimer laser , dermatology , excimer , laser , optics , physics
Background and Objective Vitiligo is commonly treated with PUVA, and more recently, narrow‐band UVB (NBUVB) phototherapy. Given the proximity of the wavelengths of NBUVB (311 nm) and the excimer laser (308 nm), we undertook a clinical trial to test the efficacy of this device. Methods Twice‐weekly 308‐nm UV‐B radiation was given to selected vitiligo lesions for a maximum of 60 treatments. These lesions had been unsuccessfully treated previously with at least one other method of treatment. Initial doses were 100 mJ/cm 2 with increments of 10–25%. Improvement was assessed on a visual scale via serial photographs. Results Subjects tolerated the treatment well. Improvement varied with body site. After 60 treatments, lesions on the hands and feet showed grade 2 improvement in 2/10 subjects and grade 1 in 8/10. For the axillae, there was grade 4 improvement in 1/3 subjects and grade 2 improvement in 2/3 by treatment 60. The face demonstrated the most rapid repigmentation with grade 4 repigmentation seen in 3/5 subjects by 40 treatments and grade 3 in 2/5 by 30 treatments. There were no adverse effects. Conclusions The user‐friendly 308‐nm excimer laser allows targeted treatments of localized vitiligo.