Evaluation of using fractional CO2 laser plus NB-UVB versus NB-UVB alone in inducing marginal repigmentation of vitiligo lesions.

Background

Vitiligo is a common depigmenting skin disorder, characterized by patchy loss of skin color and finding effective treatment has remained a challenging issue.

Methods

A paired (half-body) randomized clinical trial study was done to compare the efficacy and the safety of narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) plus fractional CO2 versus NB-UVB alone in stimulation of marginal repigmentation of vitiliginous patches. One side of the body was randomly treated with a fractional CO2 laser and NB-UVB twice weekly, while the other side was exposed only to NB-UVB with the same manner.

Results

Thirty patients with the nonsegmental stable vitiligo and mean age of 43 ± 15 years completed a 16-week treatment period with NB-UVB on one side of the body and fractional CO2 laser therapy with NB-UBV on the other side. In addition to the higher rate of response in the combination side compared to the monotherapy side of the body (p < .001), repigmentation was greater in the combination side rather than the NB-UVB monotherapy side (p = .002). In the combination treated side, marginal repigmentation pattern was more frequently seen than perifollicular pattern (p < .001) and more frequently than monotherapy side (p < .001).

Conclusion

The fractional CO2 laser combined with NB-UVB seems to be a more effective therapeutic option for treatment than NB-UVB alone for inducing marginal repigmentation.