Efficacy of 308-nm xenon chloride excimer laser in pityriasis alba.

OBJECTIVE: Pityriasis alba (PA) is the most common cause of facial hypopigmentation presenting to the dermatologist. The objective of the current study was to study the effect of the 308-nm excimer laser in the treatment of PA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with 37 PA patches were enrolled in this study. The lesions were treated using the 308-nm excimer laser twice a week for 12 weeks. The hypopigmented areas were evaluated at baseline and at weeks 0, 3, 6, and 12 for scaling, hypopigmentation, and pruritus on a 4-point scale (0 = none to 3 = severe). All adverse effects were recorded.

RESULTS: There were seven male and five female participants in (aged 5-21 years), with skin type III to V. After 1 month of laser therapy, the clinical scores were significantly lower than at baseline. Similar decreases were observed for the scaling and pruritus scores. Uneven skin color improved by the third week, and near-complete resolution was noticed by the end of 3 months. No serious or unpleasant side-effects were observed, and all patients completed the 12-week treatment. Patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment.

CONCLUSION: The 308-nm excimer laser is an effective therapeutic option for PA.