Microneedling and narrowband UVB in vitiligo: clinical insights on the efficacy and patterns of repigmentation

Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat. 2026 Sep;35(3):153-158.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Vitiligo is a relatively common acquired pigmentary disorder, characterized by a progressive loss of melanocytes. In stable vitiligo, treatment via microneedling followed by narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy showed significant improvement. The goal of this study was to evaluate and compare the safety and efficacy of microneedling with NB-UVB versus NB-UVB alone in the treatment of stable vitiligo.

METHODS: This comparative study included 92 vitiligo lesions from 46 patients with stable vitiligo (confirmed by Wood’s lamp) treated at the Assiut University Hospitals dermatology outpatient clinic between October 2023 and June 2024. All patients underwent a detailed history, general and local examination, and a Vitiligo Extent Score (VES) assessment. Lesions were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 46) received weekly microneedling plus NB-UVB twice a week, and Group 2 (n = 46) received NB-UVB twice a week only, both for 3 months.

RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant decrease in the VES; however, Group 1 demonstrated significantly greater improvement compared to Group 2 (p < 0.001). Furthermore, lesions on the upper extremities and trunk in Group 1 exhibited a significantly higher VES score reduction after treatment compared to Group 2 (p = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively). Peripheral repigmentation was the most common pattern, followed by perifollicular and mixed repigmentation, with no significant difference between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Microneedling plus NB-UVB had significantly higher efficacy than NB-UVB alone, especially on the trunk and upper extremities. A peripheral repigmentation pattern was most common, followed by perifollicular and mixed repigmentation.

PMID:42809762