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Micropigmentation for vitiligo on light to moderately colored skin: Updated evidence from a clinical and animal study
Author(s) -
Ju Hyun Jeong,
Eun Sung Hye,
Lee Han Na,
Lee Ji Hae,
Kim Gyong Moon,
Bae Jung Min
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/1346-8138.15282
Subject(s) - vitiligo , medicine , erythema , dermatology , refractory (planetary science) , surgery , intense pulsed light , lesion , skin color , physics , astrobiology , artificial intelligence , computer science
Micropigmentation, also termed medical tattooing, can be a useful alternative treatment for patients with vitiligo who are resistant to conventional treatments. To assess the benefits and risks of micropigmentation in the treatment of refractory vitiligo, 25 lesions of 14 patients with vitiligo (Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV) were subjected to micropigmentation using an electric tattooing machine between December 2018 and March 2019. The procedure was repeated until satisfactory results were obtained. Treatment response was assessed by color matching of the treated lesion and surrounding skin using a 4‐point scale (poor, fair, good and excellent). Excellent color matching was achieved in 80% (20/25) of cases after a median of three (range, 1–5) treatment sessions. Procedure‐associated pain was considerable, but no anesthetic injection was needed. Immediate erythema and swelling were noticed after each procedure, but resolved within a few days. Overall, the treatment was tolerable. This study was limited by a small sample, no control group and a short follow‐up period. This study revealed that micropigmentation was beneficial for patients with refractory vitiligo who had light to moderately colored skin. Pigment selection, implantation depth and selection of body parts amenable to treatment were critical.