Excimer light versus excimer light plus trichloroacetic acid for vitiligo treatment: A comparative study

Background: Vitiligo, a prevalent acquired depigmentation condition, involves a progressive melanocyte loss, posing significant treatment challenges. Excimer light has been employed in vitiligo treatment, while trichloroacetic acid (TCA) has been noted to induce chemical trauma, leading to perifollicular pigmentation and perilesional repigmentation in vitiligo. This study aims to assess and compare the efficacy and safety of using 308 nm monochromatic excimer light alone versus combining it with 50% TCA in treating vitiligo. Methods: A total of 50 patients diagnosed with stable vitiligo were included. Each patient had 2 patches of vitiligo selected, with 1 patch treated using 50% TCA and excimer light, while the other patch received excimer light treatment alone. Results: All patients experienced a notable decrease in the surface area of their vitiligo lesions. However, those treated with excimer light combined with TCA exhibited a greater reduction in lesion size and an increased number of patients showing significant repigmentation compared to lesions treated with excimer light alone. Additionally, patients expressed a higher level of satisfaction with the patches treated with excimer light and TCA compared to those treated with excimer light alone. Conclusion: The combined treatment of excimer light and TCA shows promise as an effective and safe therapy for vitiligo.