Narrowband ultraviolet B for the treatment of vitiligo

Abstract

After its first use in vitiligo in 1997, narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) has been evaluated in the treatment of this condition by several groups of researchers. Its better efficacy and safety compared with psoralen plus ultraviolet A has helped it to be become the preferred modality for use in generalized vitiligo. In this article, we have reviewed the available data pertaining to efficacy and safety issues for NBUVB as monotherapy, its comparison with psoralen plus ultraviolet A and other modes of phototherapy, combination regimens that have been tried and future prospects of NBUVB in vitiligo.