28533 Vitiligo following intense pulsed light (IPL) for hair removal in the face and axilla

Abstract

Vitiligo is a pigment disorder of the skin, affecting approximately 1% of the world population, characterized by areas of depigmentation, evidenced by circumscribed white maculae. Different factors could affect the induction and progression of vitiligo such as emotional shock, stress, sunburn, and trauma. The Koebner phenomenon is the appearance of new lesions on previously unaffected skin secondary to trauma. The treatment for vitiligo is challenging and includes different methods for control of the disease and repigmentation. The intense pulsed light (IPL) devices have a broad spectrum, emitting varying wavelengths in the skin, usually generating local heat. Among other conditions, it is also used for hair removal. I present a 30-year woman, with no previous personal or family history of vitiligo, who developed depigmented areas in the frontal region and both axillas, following the second session with IPL for hair removal. Based on clinical aspects and Wood’s lamp examination, diagnosis as vitiligo was made. She was treated with 308-nm monochromatic excimer lamp (MEL) in association with topical tacrolimus. Dermatologists should be aware of this possible adverse effect of ILP and start early vitiligo treatment.