308-nm excimer lamp for the treatment of alopecia areata: Clinical trial on 16 cases

• Published in: Indian journal of dermatology Vol. 58; no. 4; p. 326
• Main Authors: Ohtsuki, Akiko, Hasegawa, Toshio, Komiyama, Etsuko, Takagi, Atsushi, Kawasaki, Junko, Ikeda, Shigaku
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications 01.07.2013; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: 308-nm excimer lamp; Alopecia; alopecia areata; Baldness; Care and treatment; Clinical trials; Diagnosis; E-Study; Health aspects; Management; Patient outcomes; T cells; treatment; India; alopecia areata; treatment; 308-nm excimer lamp
• ISSN: 0019-5154; 1998-3611
• DOI: 10.4103/0019-5154.113954

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is considered as a T-cell mediated autoimmune disorder. The 308-nm excimer laser is thought to be capable of inducing T-cell apoptosis in vitro, suggesting that the 308-nm excimer lamp (not laser) might be effective for the treatment of AA. We examined the effectiveness of the 308-nm excimer lamp for treating AA. Materials and Methods: We treated 16 patients with single AA and multiple AA (MAA). The lesions were irradiated with a 308-nm excimer lamp at 2-week intervals. Results: Hair regrowth was observed in 14 patients. Among them, 10 patients showed more than 50% hair re-growth. Our results suggested that the 308-nm excimer lamp system is effective and safe for the treatment of single AA and MAA. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the 308-nm excimer lamp is a good therapeutic alternative without serious side effect for treating AA.