Home phototherapy in vitiligo

Abstract

SummaryVitiligo is a disorder characterized by the development of depigmented macules and patches. Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy is a standard of care treatment and is used both as monotherapy and in combination with other treatment modalities to induce repigmentation. Although phototherapy is safe and effective, its use is limited due to the significant time commitment required and associated costs. Home phototherapy is a safe and effective alternative to make phototherapy more accessible to patients. However, it is often underutilized due to lack of physician experience and comfort as well as misconceptions regarding its safety and efficacy. This article provides a brief overview of the use of phototherapy in vitiligo with a focus on home phototherapy in order to increase awareness and use of this treatment modality. K E Y W O R D Shome phototherapy, narrowband ultraviolet B, phototherapy, pigmentation, vitiligo

Comparison of efficacy and safety profile for home NB‐UVB vs. outpatient NB‐UVB in the treatment of non‐segmental vitiligo: A prospective cohort study

“…Results demonstrated that after 6 months of treatment, the clinical response was similar in patients with home NB‐UVB and outpatient NB‐UVB. Previous studies also showed similar improvement in pigmentation after home or outpatient NB‐UVB treatment, which was in accordance with our findings. In 2010, a retrospective survey‐based study of non‐segmental vitiligo patients revealed patient‐reported outcomes of non‐segmental vitiligo between home and outpatient NB‐UVB therapy groups were comparable, and the repigmentation per treatment area was 32% in the home group and 26% in the outpatient group ( P > 0.05) .…”

Effects of CO2 Fractional Laser Therapy on Peripheral Blood Cytokines in Patients with Vitiligo

“…Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmentation disease. The cause of vitiligo is generally believed to result from enzyme inhibition, leading to melanocyte destruction or prevention of melanin generation, thereby causing depigmentation (Mohammad et al, ; Vachiramon et al, ). Therefore, the aim of vitiligo treatment is to increase the number of melanocytes to promote healing of the skin lesion.…”

“…The mechanism of depigmentation is considered to be closely related to immune imbalance, which results in related enzyme inhibition and melanocyte destruction (Boniface, ; Frisoli & Harris, ; Vachiramon, Chaiyabutr, & Rattanaumpawan, ). Conventional treatments are long and ineffective, potentially leading to emotional and psychological problems in vitiligo patients (Mohammad, Silpa‐Archa, Griffith, Lim, & Hamzavi, ; Rodrigues et al, ). At present, CO2 fractional laser therapy is a new and more effective method to treat vitiligo, with studies showing that a CO2 fractional laser can promote pigment regeneration.…”

“…At present, CO2 fractional laser therapy is a new and more effective method to treat vitiligo, with studies showing that a CO2 fractional laser can promote pigment regeneration. The specific mechanism, however, is unclear (Mohammad et al, ; Rodrigues et al, ). We used a CO2 fractional laser in this study to treat 25 vitiligo patients and measured the levels of IL‐2, IFN‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐17, and IL‐23 in the peripheral blood of patients before and after treatment, thereby exploring the possible therapeutic mechanism of the CO2 fractional laser treatment.…”

“…Conventional treatments are long and ineffective, potentially leading to emotional and psychological problems in vitiligo patients (Mohammad, Silpa-Archa, Griffith, Lim, & Hamzavi, 2017;Rodrigues et al, 2017). At present, CO2 fractional laser therapy is a new and more effective method to treat vitiligo, with studies showing that a CO2 fractional laser can promote pigment regeneration.…”