Photochemotherapy of vitiligo. Use of orally administered psoralens and a high-intensity long-wave ultraviolet light system

Abstract

A new light source that provides high-intensity ultraviolet light (UVA) (300 to 400 nm) to the entire body surface makes orally administered psoralen treatment of vitilligo with an artificial light practical. In the 26 patients studied, the degree of repigmentation with either trioxsalen (TMP) or methoxsalen (8-MOP) and high intensity UVA was at least as great as that with the same oral agents and sunlight. With artificial UVA and similar treatment conditions, the two psoralen derivatives were compared in the treatment of vitiligo; TMP stimulated repigmentation as well as 8-MOP and caused fewer side effects.