Cryotherapy is more effective and faster than Q-switched Nd-YAG laser for depigmentation in universal vitiligo patients

Background: although cryotherapy has been reported as a technique for depigmenting residual igmented patches in patients with universal vitiligo, q-switched nd-yag lasers have not yet been used for this purpose. the aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of cryotherapy with that of 532nm q-switched nd-yag laser therapy for depigmentation in patients with universal vitiligo. method: six adult patients (4 male and 2 female) with universal vitiligo and facial residual pigmented patches were treated simultaneously with cryotherapy on the right and the frequencydoubled 532nm q-switched nd-yag laser therapy on the left side. the laser parameters used were spot size 3-5mm, frequency rate 10 hertz, and the fluence was 5j/cm2. the cryo system was a closed contact co2 cryo gun. the patients were scheduled to be treated monthly. result: the depigmentation was complete after three successive sessions of cryotherapy and 30-45 days after the last session, in comparison with simultaneous 30-70% depigmentation of the laser side. no scar or permanent sequellae developed on either side. conclusion: cryotherapy is more effective and fast-acting than q-switched nd-yag laser for depigmentation of residual pigmented patches in patients with universal vitiligo.