Fractional CO2 lasers contribute to the treatment of stable non-segmental vitiligo.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Stable non-segmental vitiligo is often resistant to conventional therapies.

OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of three types of fractional lasers in the treatment of stable non-segmental vitiligo.

MATERIALS & METHODS:

Twenty patients were enrolled in the study. The vitiligo lesions of each patient were divided into four treatment parts, and all parts were treated with narrowband ultraviolet-B (NB-UVB). Three of the four parts were respectively treated with three types of fractional lasers (two ablative 10,600-nm CO2 lasers and one non-ablative 1,565-nm laser), followed by topical betamethasone solution application. The treatment period lasted six months. Efficacy and satisfaction were respectively assessed by dermatologists and patients.

RESULTS:

The ablative CO2 lasers, in combination with topical betamethasone solution and NB-UVB, achieved marked to excellent improvement on white patches assessed by dermatologists. Patients showed high satisfaction scores for the treatments. The non-ablative 1,565-nm fractional laser did not provide any further benefit in the treatment of vitiligo. No severe adverse events developed for any of the treatments.

CONCLUSION:

The treatment protocol with ablative CO2 lasers, in combination with topical betamethasone solution and NB-UVB, was suitable for stable non-segmental vitiligo. For vitiligo, the ablative fractional CO2 laser is more effective than the non-ablative fractional laser.

• Authors: Jinping Yuan, Hongqiang Chen, Ru Yan, Shaoshan Cui, Yuan-Hong Li, Yan Wu, Xing-Hua Gao, Hong-Duo Chen
• Journal: European journal of dermatology : EJD (Eur J Dermatol) Vol. 26 Issue 6 Pg. 592-598 (Dec 01 2016) ISSN: 1952-4013 [Electronic] France
• PMID: 27818365 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Betamethasone

Topics

• Administration, Cutaneous
• Adult
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Betamethasone (therapeutic use)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Female
• Humans
• Laser Therapy (adverse effects, instrumentation, methods)
• Lasers, Gas (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Satisfaction
• Pilot Projects
• Treatment Outcome
• Ultraviolet Therapy
• Vitiligo (therapy)
• Young Adult