Overview
Vitiligo — the loss of skin pigmentation in patches — affects approximately 1 to 2% of the global population and carries a significant psychological and social burden, particularly in India where skin complexion carries deep social significance. Dr. Sonali Gupta, the best dermatologist in Faridabad and a highly respected vitiligo specialist in Delhi NCR, offers Excimer Laser therapy — one of the most effective and targeted treatments for repigmenting vitiligo patches — at Accord Hospital, Sector 86.
What is Excimer Laser Therapy?
The Excimer Laser emits a precise wavelength of 308 nm ultraviolet B (UVB) light — the same therapeutic wavelength found in narrowband UVB phototherapy, but delivered in a highly focused beam that targets only the depigmented vitiligo patches. This targeted delivery is the key advantage of Excimer Laser over conventional phototherapy booths: it directs the therapeutic light exclusively to affected areas, sparing the surrounding healthy skin from unnecessary UV exposure. This allows for higher doses of light to be delivered more safely and effectively, accelerating repigmentation.
How Does Excimer Laser Treat Vitiligo?
The 308 nm UVB light stimulates melanocyte (pigment-producing cell) activity in and around the vitiligo patch. It triggers the migration of surviving melanocytes from the edges and hair follicles into the depigmented zone, encouraging them to resume melanin production. Over successive sessions, the patches begin to repigment from the edges and follicular units inward, gradually restoring normal skin colour. The treatment is particularly effective for patches on the face, neck, and trunk, where there is a richer reservoir of melanocytes available for migration.
What to Expect from Excimer Laser Sessions
Sessions are brief — typically lasting just 5 to 15 minutes — making them highly convenient. The Excimer laser is directed specifically at each vitiligo patch, and patients feel only mild warmth during the procedure. No anaesthesia or numbing is required. A mild pinkness or redness of the treated patches following the session is a positive and expected response, indicating that the therapeutic dose has been delivered effectively.
A course of 20 to 30 sessions, delivered 2 to 3 times per week, is typically required to achieve meaningful repigmentation. Results vary by patch location, size, and duration of vitiligo, but many patients begin to notice the first signs of repigmentation — often appearing as small dots of colour within the patch — within the first 10 to 15 sessions.
Is Excimer Laser Effective for All Vitiligo?
Excimer Laser achieves the best results in patients with non-segmental vitiligo (the most common type) on the face, neck, and trunk. Patches on the extremities (hands, feet, ankles) tend to respond more slowly. Acral vitiligo (on hands and feet) and vitiligo at sites with no hair follicles are more resistant to treatment. During your consultation, Dr. Gupta will thoroughly assess your vitiligo pattern, skin type, and treatment history to give you a realistic prognosis and the most suitable treatment approach.
Excimer Laser: A Targeted Approach for Indian Patients
For patients in India, where vitiligo’s social impact can be profound, having access to the most advanced repigmentation therapies is crucial. Dr. Gupta’s experience in managing vitiligo across all skin types — combined with her expertise in combining Excimer Laser with topical immunomodulators and other therapies — makes her clinic at Accord Hospital a destination for vitiligo management across Faridabad, Delhi, Gurugram, and Noida. Vitiligo treatment requires patience, consistency, and an expert partner — qualities that define every patient relationship at this practice.
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