Excimer Light Treatment for Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) is a commonly acquired benign leukoderma characterized by multiple discrete, hypo- or depigmented macules often on extremities that can be aesthetically undesirable for patients. This is the first study using excimer laser for treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of excimer laser for repigmentation of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this longitudinal, split-body controlled, single-blinded pilot study, 6 patients were treated with excimer laser for 12 weeks using the vitiligo protocol. Effectiveness was graded by the blinded observer scale through photographic comparisons at the end of the study. Participants also graded their progress at intervals during the study. A descriptive trend analysis and an ANOVA model were used to determine outcomes.

RESULTS: Lesions that received the excimer treatment had significantly higher repigmentation by the end of the study compared with baseline and untreated lesions.

CONCLUSION: Excimer laser treatments are already considered to be a safe modality for a variety of skin conditions. This study suggests that excimer is an effective treatment option with acceptable cosmetic outcomes for IGH.