Treatment of vitiligo

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a novel method of treating vitiligo by using an excimer laser that emits light in the UVB range. The invention includes a method of incrementally increasing exposure of affected vitiligo areas with UVB laser light from an excimer laser to restore pigmentation to skin areas afflicted with vitiligo.

1 . A method of treating vitiligo comprising the steps of: (A) identifying an area of skin with an absence of melanin; and (B) repeatedly exposing said area of skin to laser light in the UVB range. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said laser light is generated by an excimer laser. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the wavelength of said laser light is 308 nm, and the intensity of said laser light is 60 mwatts. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of said laser light is 290 to 320 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each exposure of said area of skin to laser light occurs for an incrementally increased time period. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  which comprises stimulating melanin production in said area of skin with said repeated exposures.