title: Effectiveness of 308-nm Excimer Laser Therapy in Treating Alopecia Areata, Determined by Examining the Treated Sides of Selected Alopecic Patches.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some studies have reported the use of 308-nm excimer laser therapy for treating alopecia areata (AA); however, the effectiveness of this therapy on a theoretical basis has not yet been comparatively analyzed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the therapeutic effect of excimer laser therapy on AA.
  
  
  METHODS
  One alopecic patch was divided into control and treated sides in 10 patients with AA. Then, 308-nm excimer laser therapy was administered twice a week for 12 weeks. Photograph and phototrichogram analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Photographic assessments by both dermatologists and individuals of the general population showed objective improvements after excimer laser therapy. On the treated side, the hair count and hair diameter had statistically increased after treatment. However, only the hair diameter was found to be significantly high in the treated half when it was compared with the control side.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 308-nm excimer laser has a therapeutic effect on AA, which is proven by photograph and phototrichogram analysis by a side-by-side comparison.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Inha Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Byun
authors.forename: Jong Hyuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Chan Yl
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Jeonghyun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Gwang Seong
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000601:surgery*; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography; D055815:Young Adult