title: Excimer Light Treatment for Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis: A Pilot Study.
abstract: 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
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: *Westlake Dermatology, Austin, Texas; †Department of Medicine (Dermatology), Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.
authors.forename: Jennifer R S
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Kellie E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Katherine R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Sebastian
authors.forename: Ammar M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010781:Photography; D010858:Pigmentation / Q000528:radiation effects; D016037:Single-Blind Method