Overview of the Role of 308 Monochromatic Excimer Phototherapy for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Treatment of alopecia areata (AA) remains challenging despite the advancement in all these years. Excimer phototherapy has been claimed to offer a practical alternative therapeutic option without significant risks. It is considered a “super-narrowband” UVB light source that emits energy at 308 nm. Excimer laser treatment achieves a remarkable effect in T cell-mediated disorders; thus, it has been used successfully in patients with AA. Compared with narrowband UVB, the excimer laser can induce apoptosis in vitro, paralleled by improved clinical efficacy. Both excimer laser and lamp have a similar effect, but they differ in technology. In this chapter, an evaluation of the effectiveness of 308 nm monochromatic excimer phototherapy in AA treatment is clinically warranted. The evidence-based studies that adopted this option using both laser and light are discussed. In addition, the formulation of therapeutic protocol to study the outcome of excimer treatment on moderate-to-severe AA in adults and children is described.