Laser and ReCell

Laser and ReCell for stable, non-progressive vitiligo.

Stable vitiligo is a form that is non-progressive and has stopped responding or improving with traditional treatments such as topical creams and nbUVB phototherapy. For patients with stable vitiligo, there some novel, advanced treatments that may be an option to induce repigmentaion.

Most vitiligo will respond to a combination of topical and UVB phototherapy treatment options if diagnosed and treated early.

However, in some instances these treatments are not successful. Once the vitiligo is no longer spreading, and the areas of pigment loss have stabilised, laser and ReCell can be investigated as a treatment option. 

Fractional ablative lasers such as the CO2 or Erbium:YAG lasers, or non-ablative last such as Fraxel ™ have all been reported to provide improvement in some patients with stable vitiligo. Treatments are performed under topical anaesthetic or light sedation, depending on the size and sensitivity of the area treated, and then result in some redness, swelling or weeping in the area treated.

As healing occurs, patients return to their routine of topical creams and phototherapy, that can then further improve the results of their laser treatments.

Patients will generally have a series of treatments, spaced at least 1 month apart. 

ReCell ™ is a technique known as autologous melanocyte/keratinocyte grafting. Dr Manoharan was involved in the early Australian studies investigating the combined use of ablative laser and ReCell.

Originally created to assist patients with burns in their recovery and healing of skin, ReCell has subsequently been utilised in conditions where there has been pigment loss, such as vitiligo and depigmented scars.

A skin graft is harvested from the patient themselves, from an area of skin/hair that has pigment, processed in a revolutionary kit, and then, after the area to be treated is prepared by laser, applied to the area.

This area is then dressed for a few days. After this period, dressings are removed, and normal repigmentation treatments such as topicals and nbUVB phototherapy is recommenced. The hope is that the pigment cells from the donor area take on a new home in the area of vitiligo, cause repigmentation, and result in an overall improvement in the condition.

ReCell is not suitable for all patients, and your dermatologist will discuss your suitability for this if appropriate.