The Early Repigmentation Pattern of Vitiligo Is Related to the Source of Melanocytes and the Choice of Therapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The study analyzed 116 patients with vitiligo to understand the relationship between early repigmentation patterns, clinical characteristics, and therapeutic choices. It was found that perifollicular repigmentation was more common in completely depigmented lesions, non-sun exposed areas, stable stages, and those treated with narrow band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB). Marginal repigmentation was frequent in completely depigmented lesions treated without NB-UVB and facial lesions treated with topical vitamin D analogs (TVDAs) monotherapy. Diffuse repigmentation predominated in incompletely depigmented lesions, sun-exposed areas, progressive stages, and truncal lesions treated with TVDAs. The study concluded that repigmentation patterns in vitiligo depend on the source and status of melanocytes and the chosen therapy.