Comparative study between excimer light and topical antioxidant versus excimer light alone for treatment of vitiligo

Background: Vitiligo is an acquired idiopathic cutaneous disease characterized by pearly white patches of variable shapes and sizes. Various medical and surgical therapeutic options have been proposed to achieve repigmentation; phototherapy is one of the most efficient options. Topical therapies have been a mainstay of vitiligo treatment, with or without phototherapy. Aim of the work: To compare the efficacy of combined topical antioxidant hydrogel and excimer light versus excimer light alone in treating vitiligo. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients were included in this comparative, prospective, randomized study. For each patient, at least 2-4 vitiliginous macules were randomly selected and treated while an untreated vitiliginous macule served as control. Lesions were divided into two groups: Group A received combination therapy of daily topical antioxidant plus excimer light, while Group B received only excimer light. Lesions were treated twice a week for a maximum of 24 sessions. Initial fluencies were adjusted individually according to the minimal erythema dose in vitiliginous skin. Efficacy based on repigmentation percentages were blindly evaluated by two independent physicians. Results: Group A lesions showed significant efficacy than group B (p < 0.001), specially on treating UV-sensitive lesions with no side effects. Conclusion: Topical antioxidant and excimer light represents a valuable, effective therapy for localized vitiligo.