Efficacy and safety of fire needle therapy combined with 308-nm excimer laser treatment in patients with stable acral vitiligo: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of 308-nm excimer laser therapy with or without fire needle therapy in patients with stable acral vitiligo.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to review patients with stable acral vitiligo treated between January 2020 and October 2024. In addition to topical halometasone cream, patients received either 308-nm excimer laser therapy alone (laser group) or a combination of 308-nm excimer laser and fire needle therapies (combination group) for three months. Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI), physician global assessment (PGA), pain during treatment, and side effects were compared between the groups.

Results: A total of 62 patients (32 in the laser group and 30 in the combination group.) were included. The mean age was 34.2 ± 9.8 years, with 39 (62.9%) males. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Patients in both groups experienced a reduction in VASI scores (0.06 ± 0.74 and 0.16 ± 0.14 in the laser and combination groups, respectively). Compared with the laser group, the combination group showed significant improvement in lesion appearance, but reported mild pain (p < 0.001). Both groups experienced mild skin reactions, which resolved quickly after treatment.

Conclusions: Combination therapy with 308-nm excimer laser and fire needle is a safe and effective approach for stable acral vitiligo.