How much UV therapy is needed for vitiligo to show results?

For vitiligo phototherapy, the longer the treatment continues consistently—from 3 months to 6 months, and from 6 months to 12 months—the more patients show good repigmentation. In particular, to evaluate treatment response, it is important to observe the progress for at least 6 months rather than giving up too early.

Is stronger excimer laser treatment more effective for vitiligo?

Not necessarily. For facial vitiligo, low energy that does not cause erythema can achieve repigmentation similar to standard doses. The key is precise adjustment based on skin response, not high intensity.

How to Get Good Results from Vitiligo Excimer Laser Treatment

Even with the same excimer laser, results can vary depending on the energy level used, whether an ointment is applied together, and how post-treatment maintenance is managed. Especially for facial vitiligo, it is more important to treat consistently while minimizing skin damage than to use high energy unconditionally.

Is pregnancy or UV therapy dangerous if you have vitiligo?

Vitiligo patients showed a slightly higher risk of miscarriage, but long-term ultraviolet therapy did not increase the risk of skin cancer. Rather, patients who received long-term phototherapy showed lower risks of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and osteoporotic fractures.

Can pigmentation after excimer treatment for vitiligo be reduced?

Hyperpigmentation that occurs during clinical excimer laser treatment may fade over time, and appropriate adjunctive management can help reduce it. When vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid serum is used together, repigmentation of vitiligo can be maintained while hyperpigmentation may also decrease.

Is PALLAS laser as effective as excimer laser?

In clinical trials, the 311nm PALLAS showed a level of repigmentation for vitiligo equivalent to that of the 308nm excimer laser. However, the two devices differ in actual treatment methods such as wavelength, energy settings, and beam size.

Is laser treatment effective for vitiligo? Treatment duration and pediatric treatment criteria

"You use lasers for vitiligo?" Many people are curious. Yes, laser treatment is also used for vitiligo. However, the principle is completely different from lasers used to remove scars or moles. The vitiligo laser is not a laser that 'removes' but a laser that 'stimulates and awakens' pigment cells. Today, we will carefully examine what vitiligo laser treatment is, how it differs from broad-area phototherapy, and whether children can also receive it.

How long does vitiligo treatment take? Summary of the treatment process and total duration

There is a question I hear most often in the clinic. "How long do I really need to treat this?" It is a question you would naturally be curious about. Vitiligo often appears on visible areas, so it is only natural to want it to improve as quickly as possible. So today, I want to answer not with a 'guess' but with a 'process.' We will go through step by step: in what order vitiligo treatment proceeds, at what point color starts to return, and why the speed differs by area. Knowing the duration in advance before starting can greatly reduce vague anxiety.

Excimer Clinic | Heal House

Heal House dermatologist performing vitiligo surgery

Heal House Vitiligo Clinic

15 years dedicated solely to vitiligo

Thoroughness that examines even unseen areas
Warmth that lifts even the shadows of the heart

Heal House Excimer Clinic

Restoring Skin Pigment with Light
Phototherapy for Vitiligo

Phototherapy for vitiligo involves exposing the skin only to specific ultraviolet wavelengths that are effective for treating vitiligo, promoting the proliferation and migration of melanocytes. It is the most standard treatment for inducing repigmentation, using narrowband UVB (NB-UVB), excimer laser, PALLAS and other devices.

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How Phototherapy Restores Pigment

Specific ultraviolet light stimulates hair follicles to induce activation and migration of melanocytes.
The migrated pigment cells settle in the vitiligo area, naturally restoring skin color.

STEP 1

UV Light Reaches the Skin

The ultraviolet light needed for treatment reaches the affected area.
STEP 2

Pigment Cells Are Activated

Signals from the epidermis help activate hair-follicle melanocytes and promote their migration.
STEP 3

Pigment Returns to the Skin

The migrated melanocytes settle in the lesion, and color returns.

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Types of Phototherapy and Who They Are For

Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) Therapy

A standard treatment that treats large areas at once and helps prevent spreading. (Twice a week)

Whole-body phototherapy device

Facial phototherapy device

Hand and Foot Phototherapy Device

Excimer laser

PALLAS PREMIUM

UVA1 Phototherapy Device

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Consistency Brings Change,
Treatment Duration and Progress

Consistency is important in phototherapy. Treatment typically continues for about 6 months to 1 year, and the response speed varies by area. You should treat for at least 3 months to gauge the response. Pigment is observed to gradually return around hair follicles, at the lesion border, or across the entire lesion. The response varies by area and individual, so the plan is adjusted as progress is monitored.

Before phototherapy 1 — Before and After Phototherapy Comparison 1

After phototherapy 1 — Before and After Phototherapy Comparison 1

Before phototherapy 2 — Before and After Phototherapy Comparison 2

After phototherapy 2 — Before and After Phototherapy Comparison 2

Before phototherapy 3 — Before and After Phototherapy Comparison 3

After phototherapy 3 — Before and After Phototherapy Comparison 3

Before phototherapy 4 — Before and After Phototherapy Comparison 4

After phototherapy 4 — Before and After Phototherapy Comparison 4

Before phototherapy 5 — Before and After Phototherapy Comparison 5

After phototherapy 5 — Before and After Phototherapy Comparison 5

Before phototherapy 6 — Before and After Phototherapy Comparison 6

After phototherapy 6 — Before and After Phototherapy Comparison 6

Heal House Excimer Clinic

Preparing for Treatment Day

Since phototherapy uses ultraviolet light, it is important to prepare so that the light reaches the skin well. Even if it is inconvenient, it is recommended to remove sunscreen and makeup from the treatment area before coming in. Some of the light may be blocked.

If you are receiving treatment in the morning, it is better to apply topical medication (ointment) after the treatment. If the skin is shiny from the ointment, some of the light may be reflected.

Since the treatment area and intensity vary by individual, please let us know during your consultation if there are any changes in your skin condition or overall health.

Rarely, blisters may occur after phototherapy. The approach differs depending on the size and condition, so it is advisable to come to the clinic so we can examine them. If you cannot come right away, apply a cold compress first, and keep the blisters intact and manage them to prevent secondary infection.
Phototherapy may be performed together with topical or oral medications. Information on the types and methods of concurrent medications is provided on the Medication Treatment page.

Heal House Excimer Clinic

Our Dermatologists at Heal House Have Continuously Studied Effective Phototherapy

At Heal House, board-certified dermatologists who have consistently researched effective phototherapy for skin diseases provide direct care.

Ultraviolet Therapy 12-month Overall Treatment Success Rate: 35.7%
Face and Neck 6-month Treatment Success Rate: 44.2%

Treatment results may vary depending on the individual's condition and the area being treated.

Heal House Excimer Clinic

Frequently Asked Questions in the Clinic

"You use a laser for vitiligo?" Many people ask this question. Yes, that is correct. Laser treatment is also used for vitiligo. However, the principle is completely different from lasers used to remove scars or moles. The laser for vitiligo is not a laser that 'removes' something, but one that 'stimulates and awakens' pigment cells. Today, we will carefully examine what vitiligo laser treatment is, how it differs from phototherapy that treats wide areas, and whether children can also receive it. Learn more

There is a question we hear most often in the clinic. "How long do I really need to continue treatment?" It is an understandable question. Vitiligo often appears in visible areas, so it is natural to wish for improvement as quickly as possible. That is why today we aim to provide an answer not based on 'guesswork' but on 'process.' We will go over step by step how vitiligo treatment proceeds, when pigment begins to return, and why the speed differs by area. Knowing the expected duration in advance can greatly reduce vague anxiety. Learn more

Excimer Clinic — Phototherapy for Vitiligo

UV Light Reaches the Skin

Pigment Cells Are Activated

Pigment Returns to the Skin

01 If Blisters Occur

02 Combining with Medication

01 How long should I receive UV therapy for vitiligo to see results?

02 Is it more effective to receive a stronger vitiligo excimer laser treatment?

03 How should I receive excimer laser treatment for vitiligo to achieve different results?

04 Are pregnancy or UV treatment dangerous if I have vitiligo?

05 Can hyperpigmentation after excimer treatment for vitiligo be reduced?

06 Is PALLAS laser as effective as excimer laser?

07 Is laser treatment for vitiligo effective? Treatment duration and pediatric treatment criteria

08 How long does vitiligo treatment take? A summary of the treatment process and total duration