Treatment of alopecia areata with 308-nm excimer lamp

We suggest that it may be considered as a treatment modality for recalcitrant alopecia areata

Jan 2011

Abstract

Alopecia areata is considered to be a T-cell mediated autoimmune disorder.

The 308-nm excimer lamp is thought to be capable of inducing T-cell apoptosis in vitro, suggesting that the lamp might be effective for the treatment of alopecia areata.

We examined the effectiveness of the 308-nm excimer lamp for the treatment of alopecia areata. We recruited three patients with single alopecia areata lesions that were resistant to conventional treatment.

The lesions were exposed to a 308-nm excimer lamp at 2-weekly intervals. Hair regrowth was observed in all three patients after approximately 10 treatment sessions. Our study showed that exposure to the 308-nm excimer lamp effectively induced hair regrowth in solitary alopecia areata lesions.

Apart from erythema, there were no significant adverse effects.

Therefore, we suggest that it may be considered as a treatment modality for recalcitrant alopecia areata.

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