Laser treatment for further depigmentation in vitiligo

Abstract

Background: In patients with vitiligo, sometimes the greatest part of the skin has already lost its melanocytes. The remaining pigmented patches can be removed by using strong bleaching creams, but many adverse events have been reported with this treatment. A new depigmentation therapy could be treatment with a Ruby laser. Methods: Before treatment, the patients filled out a questionnaire about their vitiligo history. Eight patients with remaining pigmentation of the arms, hands, and face were treated once with a Ruby laser. Patients were monitored for developing repigmentation during the 9 months after treatment. Results: In patients with a positive Koebner phenomenon, a permanent state of depigmentation was reached after laser therapy. None of the treated patients showed severe side-effects. Conclusions: Ruby laser treatment can be an effective, fast, and safe method for removing cosmetically disturbing remnants of normal pigmentation in vitiligo patients with a positive Koebner phenomenon.