Editing Vitiligo (section)

=== Phototherapy ===
Phototherapy is considered a second-line treatment for vitiligo.<ref name=Lancet2016/> Exposing the skin to light from UVB lamps is the most common treatment for vitiligo. The treatments can be done at home with a UVB lamp or in a clinic. The exposure time is managed so that the skin does not suffer overexposure. Treatment can take a few weeks if the spots are on the neck and face and if they existed not more than 3 years. If the spots are on the hands and legs and have been there for more than 3 years, it can take a few months. Phototherapy sessions are done 2–3 times a week. Spots on a large area of the body may require full-body treatment in a clinic or hospital. UVB broadband and narrowband lamps can be used,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Scherschun L, Kim JJ, Lim HW | title = Narrow-band ultraviolet B is a useful and well-tolerated treatment for vitiligo | journal = Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | volume = 44 | issue = 6 | pages = 999–1003 | date = June 2001 | pmid = 11369913 | doi = 10.1067/mjd.2001.114752 | s2cid = 17431219 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Don P, Iuga A, Dacko A, Hardick K | title = Treatment of vitiligo with broadband ultraviolet B and vitamins | journal = International Journal of Dermatology | volume = 45 | issue = 1 | pages = 63–65 | date = January 2006 | pmid = 16426381 | doi = 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2005.02447.x | s2cid = 454415 | doi-access = free }}</ref> but narrowband ultraviolet peaked around 311&nbsp;nm is the choice. It has been constitutively reported that a combination of UVB phototherapy with other topical treatments improves re-pigmentation. However, some people with vitiligo may not see any changes to skin or re-pigmentation occurring. A serious potential side effect involves the risk of developing skin cancer, the same risk as an overexposure to natural sunlight.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

Ultraviolet light ([[Ultraviolet A|UVA]]) treatments are normally carried out in a hospital clinic. [[Psoralen]] and ultraviolet A light ([[PUVA]]) treatment involves taking a drug that increases the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet light and then exposing the skin to high doses of UVA light. Treatment is required twice a week for 6–12 months or longer. Because of the high doses of UVA and psoralen, PUVA may cause side effects such as sunburn-type reactions or skin freckling.<ref name="UK"/>

Narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy lacks the side effects caused by psoralens and is as effective as PUVA.<ref name=Lancet2016/> As with PUVA, treatment is carried out twice weekly in a clinic or every day at home, and there is no need to use psoralen.<ref name="UK"/> Longer treatment is often recommended, and at least 6 months may be required for effects to phototherapy.<ref name=Ba2017>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bae JM, Jung HM, Hong BY, Lee JH, Choi WJ, Lee JH, Kim GM | title = Phototherapy for Vitiligo: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis | journal = JAMA Dermatology | volume = 153 | issue = 7 | pages = 666–674 | date = July 2017 | pmid = 28355423 | pmc = 5817459 | doi = 10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.0002 }}</ref> NBUVB phototherapy appears better than PUVA therapy with the most effective response on the face and neck.<ref name=Ba2017/>

With respect to improved repigmentation: topical calcineurin inhibitors plus phototherapy are better than phototherapy alone,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bae JM, Hong BY, Lee JH, Lee JH, Kim GM | title = The efficacy of 308-nm excimer laser/light (EL) and topical agent combination therapy versus EL monotherapy for vitiligo: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) | journal = Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | volume = 74 | issue = 5 | pages = 907–915 | date = May 2016 | pmid = 26785803 | doi = 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.11.044 }}</ref> [[hydrocortisone]] plus laser light is better than laser light alone, [[ginkgo biloba]] is better than [[placebo]], and oral mini-pulse of [[prednisolone]] (OMP) plus NB-UVB is better than OMP alone.<ref name=Whit2015/>