ReviewNarrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy and 308-nm excimer laser in the treatment of vitiligo: A review
Section snippets
Efficacy
There is no universally accepted protocol for NB-UVB, so treatment protocols differ from study to study. Sessions are performed twice or thrice weekly, on nonconsecutive days (Table I). The initial dose ranges from 100 to 280 mJ/cm2. The dose is subsequently increased in most studies by 10% to 20% per session. In many studies, the dose is stabilized when mild erythema develops. Generally, after the first few sessions, the rate of increase in UVB dose is individualized for each patient.
Overall
Efficacy
After the first case report by Baltas et al,36 several studies have assessed the efficacy of 308-nm excimer laser in vitiligo (Table II).37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 Sessions are performed 2 to 3 times a week for a period of 4 to 36 weeks. Repigmentation occurs faster with the thrice weekly treatment, but the ultimate rate of repigmentation seems to depend on the total numbers on sessions and not on their frequency.48 Repigmentation greater than 75% is usually reported
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Consensus on the treatment of vitiligo – Brazilian Society of Dermatology
2020, Anais Brasileiros de DermatologiaCitation Excerpt :ExLs is characterized by a wavelength of 308 nm (generated using xenon and chlorine gases). Several studies demonstrate its applicability for the treatment of vitiligo and it is considered to have a similar result to NB-UVB and, in some studies, even higher, with a faster response.65,66 Due to its smaller emission area, ExLs reaches smaller areas and regions more difficult to access with standard emitters.
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2017, Dermatologic ClinicsCitation Excerpt :The efficacy of NB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of vitiligo is summarized in (Table 1). Because most studies have demonstrated that NB-UVB has superior efficacy compared with other forms of phototherapy, NB-UVB is now considered as the first-line treatment modality for generalized vitiligo.36,55,56 Apart from its efficacy, NB-UVB has a better safety profile compared with PUVA, mainly due to absence of adverse effects related to psoralen.57
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Conflicts of interest: None declared.