Impact of skin hydration on patterns of microthermal injury produced by fractional CO2 laser.

OBJECTIVES: The impact of skin hydration on patterns of thermal injury produced by ablative fractional lasers (AFLs) is insufficiently examined under standardized conditions. Using skin with three different hydration levels, this study assessed the effect of hydration status on microchannel dimensions generated by a fractional CO2 laser. METHODS: A hydration model (hyperhydrated-, dehydrated- and control) was established in ex vivo porcine skin, validated by changes in surface conductance and sample mass. After, samples underwent AFL exposure using a CO2 laser (10,600 nm) at two examined pulse energies (10 and 30 mJ/mb, fixed 10% density, six repetitions per group). Histological assessment of distinct microchannels (n = 60) determined three standardized endpoints in H&E sections: (1) depth of microthermal treatment zones (MTZs), (2) depth of microscopic ablation zones (MAZs), and (3) coagulation zone (CZ) thickness. As a supplemental in vivo assessment, the same laser settings were applied to hyperhydrated- (7-h occlusion) and normohydrated forearm skin (no pretreatment) of a human volunteer. Blinded measurement of MAZ depth (n = 30) was performed using noninvasive optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: Modest differences in microchannel dimensions were shown between hyperhydrated, dehydrated and control skin at both high and low pulse energy. Compared to controls, hyperhydration led to median reductions in MTZ and MAZ depth ranging from 5% to 8% (control vs. hyperhydrated at 30 mJ/mb; 848 vs. 797 µm (p < 0.003) (MAZ); 928 vs. 856 µm (p < 0.003) (MTZ)), while 14%-16% reductions were shown in dehydrated skin (control vs. dehydrated at 30 mJ/mb; MAZ: 848 vs. 727 µm (p < 0.003); MTZ: 928 vs. 782 µm (p < 0.003)). The impact of skin hydration on CZ thickness was in contrast limited. Corresponding with ex vivo findings, hyperhydration was similarly associated with lower ablative depth in vivo skin. Thus, median MAZ depth in hydrated skin was 10% and 14% lower than in control areas at 10 and 30 mJ/mb pulse energy, respectively (10 mJ: 210 vs. 180 µm (p < 0.001); 30 mJ: 335 vs. 300 µm (p < 0.001)). CONCLUSION: Skin hydration status can exert a minimal impact on patterns of microthermal injury produced by fractional CO2 lasers, although the clinical implication in the context of laser therapy requires further study.

Needle-free electronically-controlled jet injector treatment with bleomycin and lidocaine is effective and well-tolerated in patients with recalcitrant keloids.

OBJECTIVES: The treatment of recalcitrant keloids is challenging. Although intralesional bleomycin using conventional needle injectors (CNI) is effective, it has important drawbacks, such as the need for repetitive and painful injections. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, tolerability and patient satisfaction of intralesional bleomycin with lidocaine administered with a needle-free electronically-controlled pneumatic jet-injector (EPI) in recalcitrant keloids. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with recalcitrant keloids who had received three intralesional EPI-assisted treatments with bleomycin and lidocaine. Effectiveness was assessed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) at baseline and four to six weeks after the third treatment. Additionally, treatment related pain scores numeric rating scale, adverse effects, patient satisfaction and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) were assessed. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with a total of >148 recalcitrant keloids were included. The median total POSAS physician- and patient-scores were respectively 40 and 41 at baseline, and reduced with respectively 7 and 6-points at follow-up ( p < 0.001; p < 0.001). The median pain scores during EPI-assisted injections were significantly lower compared to CNI-assistant injections, (2.5 vs. 7.0, respectively ( p < 0.001)). Adverse effects were mild. Overall, patients were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the treatments (14/15, 93.3%). The GAIS was "very improved" in one patient, "improved" in nine patients and "unaltered" in four patients. CONCLUSIONS: EPI-assisted treatment with bleomycin and lidocaine is an effective, well tolerated, patient-friendly alternative for CNI in patients with recalcitrant keloid scars. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm our findings and improve the clinical management of recalcitrant keloids.

Home-Use Hyaluronic Acid Jet Injectors: Unreliable and Unsafe.

BACKGROUND: Needle-free hyaluronic acid (HA) jet injectors are gaining popularity for rejuvenation treatment. The devices are widely available online and are used for self-injection or in beauty salons by nonphysicians. However, little is known about their performance and safety. OBJECTIVE: To explore the injection efficiency and cutaneous biodistribution patterns administered with home-use compared with medical jet injectors and to assess safety aspects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors injected HA into ex vivo human skin with 4 home-use and 2 medical injectors. The intracutaneous dose of HA was calculated, and the cutaneous biodistribution of HA was assessed using a 3-dimensional Fluorescent Imaging Cryomicrotome System (3D-FICS). Safety aspects were evaluated based on the presence of a manual, CE (conformité européenne) mark, and sterility. RESULTS: The intracutaneous dose delivered by the home-use injectors was markedly lower compared with the medical injectors. 3D imaging for home-use injectors showed superficial epidermal distribution with low distribution volumes. For medical injectors, volumes were substantially larger and mainly middermal. All evaluated safety aspects were lacking. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that the specific combinations of home-use injectors and HA used in this study are unreliable and unsafe, which casts doubts on the performance of these treatments in general.

Needle-Free Jet Injector-Assisted Triamcinolone Treatment of Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars is Effective and Well Tolerated in Children.

BACKGROUND: Keloids and hypertrophic scars can cause severe pain, pruritus, and psychological distress. Conventional intralesional corticosteroid treatment with needle injections remains challenging, especially in children with needle phobia. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, tolerability, and patient satisfaction of intralesional treatment with triamcinolone acetonide using a needle-free electronic pneumatic jet injector in children with keloids and hypertrophic scars. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in children with keloids and hypertrophic scars who received intralesional triamcinolone acetonide treatments using an electronic pneumatic jet injector. Effectiveness was evaluated using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale and Global Aesthetic Improvement Score at follow-up versus baseline. Tolerability was assessed with reported adverse effects and injection-related pain using a visual analog scale. Satisfaction questionnaires were used to evaluate treatment-related patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Six female patients and five male patients aged 5-17 years, with a total of >118 keloids or hypertrophic scars were included. Electronic pneumatic jet injector treatment led to a significant reduction in the total Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale observer and patient scores compared with baseline, with a median reduction of 28.9% and 23.8%, respectively (p = 0.005; p = 0.009). Median visual analog scale pain scores for electronic pneumatic jet injector treatment were significantly lower compared with needle injections, 3.0 versus 7.0, respectively (p = 0.027). No severe adverse effects were reported. Overall, 6 patients were 'satisfied' and five patients were 'very satisfied' with the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic pneumatic jet injector-assisted intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for keloids and hypertrophic scars in children. It should be considered as an alternative non-traumatic delivery method, especially in children with needle phobia or severe pain during previous needle injections.

Characterization of Patient-Derived GNAQ Mutated Endothelial Cells from Capillary Malformations.

Capillary malformations (CM) (port-wine stains) are congenital skin lesions that are characterized by dilated capillaries and postcapillary venules. CMs are caused by altered functioning of the vascular endothelium. Somatic genetic mutations have predominantly been identified in the endothelial cells of CMs, providing an opportunity for the development of targeted therapies. However, there is currently limited in-depth mechanistic insight into the pathophysiology and a lack of preclinical research approaches. In a monocenter exploratory study of 17 adult patients with CMs, we found somatic sequence variants in the GNAQ (p.R183Q, p.R183G, or p.Q209R) or GNA11 (p.R183C) genes. We applied an endothelial-selective cell isolation protocol to culture primary endothelial cells from skin biopsies from these patients. We successfully expanded patient-derived cells in culture in 3 of the 17 cases while maintaining endothelial specificity as demonstrated by vascular endothelial-cadherin immunostainings. In addition, we tested the angiogenic capacity of endothelial cells from a patient with a GNAQ (p.R183G) sequence substitution. These proof-of-principle results reveal that primary cells isolated from CMs may represent a functional research model to investigate the role of endothelial somatic mutations in the etiology of CMs, but improved isolation and culture methodologies are urgently needed to advance the field.

Needle-free electronically controlled jet injection with corticosteroids in recalcitrant keloid scars: a retrospective study and patient survey.

First-line treatment of keloids consists of intralesional needle injections with corticosteroids, but generally entails multiple painful sessions, resulting in variable clinical outcomes. Novel needle-free jet injectors may facilitate more effective and patient-friendly dermal drug delivery. Here, we evaluated the effectiveness, tolerability and patient satisfaction of intralesional triamcinolone-acetonide (TCA) treatment in recalcitrant keloids using an electronically controlled pneumatic injector (EPI). A retrospective study was conducted in recalcitrant keloid patients with a history of severe pain during needle injections who received three sessions of EPI + TCA. Outcome measures included Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), treatment-related pain (NRS), adverse effects, and patient satisfaction (survey). Ten patients with in total 283 keloids were included. The POSAS score significantly improved at follow-up and GAIS was reported as '(very) improved' for all patients. EPI + TCA was well-tolerated with a significantly lower NRS pain score compared to needle + TCA (pilot treatment). Only minor adverse effects occurred, and 90% of patients preferred EPI over needle treatment. EPI + TCA is an effective and tolerable treatment for patients with recalcitrant keloids. The minimal treatment-related pain and high patient satisfaction makes it a promising treatment for patients with needle-phobia and/or severe pain during needle injections.

Worldwide expert recommendations for the diagnosis and management of vitiligo: Position statement from the International Vitiligo Task Force Part 1: towards a new management algorithm.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of vitiligo can be challenging and depends on several factors such as the subtype, disease activity, vitiligo extent, and treatment goals. Vitiligo usually requires a long-term approach. To improve the management of vitiligo worldwide, a clear and up-to-date guide based on international consensus with uniform stepwise recommendations is needed. OBJECTIVES: To reach an international consensus on the nomenclature and to develop a management algorithm for the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of vitiligo. METHODS: In this consensus statement, a consortium of 42 international vitiligo experts and four patient representatives participated in online and live meetings to develop a consensus management strategy for vitiligo. At least two vitiligo experts summarized the evidence of topics included in the algorithms. A survey was utilized to resolve remaining issues among a core group of eight experts. Subsequently, the unanimous recommendations were finalized and validated based on further input from the entire group during two live meetings. RESULTS: The algorithms highlight the importance of shared decision-making. Dermatologists are encouraged to provide patients with detailed explanations of the prognosis and expected therapeutic outcomes based on clinical examination. The treatment goal should be discussed and clearly emphasized to patients given the different approaches for disease stabilization and repigmentation. The evaluation of disease activity remains a cornerstone in the tailor-made approach to vitiligo patients. CONCLUSIONS: These new treatment algorithms are intended to guide clinical decision-making in clinical practice. Promising novel therapies for vitiligo are on the horizon, further highlighting the need for reliable outcome measurement instruments and greater emphasis on shared decision-making.

Worldwide expert recommendations for the diagnosis and management of vitiligo: Position statement from the international Vitiligo Task Force-Part 2: Specific treatment recommendations.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of vitiligo can be challenging. Up-to-date agreed consensus recommendations on the use of topical and systemic therapies to facilitate the clinical management of vitiligo are currently lacking. OBJECTIVES: To develop internationally agreed-upon expert-based recommendations for the treatment of vitiligo. METHODS: In this consensus statement, a consortium of 42 international vitiligo experts and four patient representatives participated in different online and live meetings to develop a consensus management strategy for vitiligo. At least two vitiligo experts summarized the evidence for different topics included in the algorithms. A survey was then given to a core group of eight experts to resolve the remaining issues. Subsequently, the recommendations were finalized and validated based on further input from the entire group during two live meetings. RESULTS: The recommendations provided summarize the latest evidence regarding the use of topical therapies (steroids, calcineurin inhibitors and Jak-inhibitors) and systemic therapies, including steroids and other systemic immunomodulating or antioxidant agents. The different modalities of phototherapies (NB-UVB, photochemotherapy, excimer devices and home phototherapy), which are often combined with other therapies, are also summarized. Interventional approaches as well as depigmentation strategies are presented for specific indications. Finally, the status of innovative and targeted therapies under development is discussed. CONCLUSIONS: This international consensus statement culminated in expert-based clinical practice recommendations for the treatment of vitiligo. The development of new therapies is ongoing in vitiligo, and this will likely improve the future management of vitiligo, a disease that still has many unmet needs.

Clinician-reported outcome measures for the assessment of vitiligo: A scoping review.

Clinician-reported outcome measures (ClinROMs) are essential for assessment of vitiligo in clinical trials and daily practice. Several instruments have been developed and tested to measure, for example, vitiligo extent, repigmentation and activity. The goal of this review was to identify all introductory publications of ClinROMs for vitiligo that include at least some aspects of validation and to describe the instruments' characteristics, intention for use and practical strengths and limitations. A search strategy was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) from inception to July 2022. Based on the literature search (n = 2860), 10 articles were identified, describing 14 different ClinROMs. Six ClinRoms measured disease extent and/or repigmentation, seven evaluated disease activity and one was a composite score. The Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI), and Vitiligo Extent Score (VES and VESplus) measure overall disease extent and/or repigmentation. The VASI relies on hand units (1% body surface area), whereas the VES and VESplus use a picture-based scoring technique. The Vitiligo Extent Score for a Target Area (VESTA) measures repigmentation percentage for target lesions. One global assessment score for extent has been validated. Vitiligo disease activity scores included a static measure of clinical activity signs (Vitiligo Signs of Activity Score [VSAS]) and two measures assessing dynamic evolution (Vitiligo Disease Activity Score [VDAS] and Vitiligo Disease Improvement Score [VDIS]). The Vitiligo European Task Force assessment tool (VETFa) is a composite score. Depending on the practical strengths and limitations as well as the research question and setting (clinical trials vs. daily practice), the choice of an appropriate ClinROM may differ. Fourteen ClinROMs in vitiligo were identified to measure vitiligo extent, repigmentation, and activity. Further research evaluating the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of each instrument and worldwide consensus on which instrument to use for a specific outcome (domain) is greatly needed.

Reliability and agreement testing of a new automated measurement method to determine facial vitiligo extent using standardized ultraviolet images and a dedicated algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Facial repigmentation is the primary outcome measure for most vitiligo trials. The Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI) score is often chosen as the primary outcome measure to assess the efficacy of treatments for facial vitiligo. Although useful, this scoring system remains subjective and has several limitations. OBJECTIVES: To assess the agreement and reliability of an algorithmic method to measure the percentage depigmentation of vitiligo on the face. METHODS: We developed a dedicated algorithm called Vitil-IA® to assess depigmentation on standardized facial ultraviolet (UV) pictures. We then conducted a cross-sectional study using the framework of the ERASE trial (NCT04843059) in 22 consecutive patients attending a tertiary care centre for vitiligo. Depigmentation was analysed before any treatment and, for 7 of them, after 3 and 6 months of narrowband UVB treatment combined with 16 mg methylprednisolone, both used twice weekly. Interoperator and interacquisition repeatability measures were assessed for the algorithm. The results of the algorithmic measurement were then compared with the F-VASI and the percentage of depigmented skin scores assessed by 13 raters, including 7 experts in the grading of vitiligo lesions. RESULTS: Thirty-one sets of pictures were analysed with the algorithmic method. Internal validation showed excellent reproducibility, with a variation of < 3%. The percentage of depigmentation assessed by the system showed high agreement with the percentage of depigmentation assessed by raters [mean error (ME) -11.94 and mean absolute error (MAE) 12.71 for the nonexpert group; ME 0.43 and MAE 5.57 for the expert group]. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for F-VASI was 0.45 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29-0.62] and 0.52 (95% CI 0.37-0.68) for nonexperts and experts, respectively. When the results were analysed separately for homogeneous and heterogeneous depigmentation, the ICC for homogeneous depigmentation was 0.47 (95% CI 0.31-0.77) and 0.85 (95% CI 0.72-0.94) for nonexperts and experts, respectively. When grading heterogeneous depigmentation, the ICC was 0.19 (95% CI 0.05-0.43) and 0.38 (95% CI 0.20-0.62) for nonexperts and experts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the Vitil-IA algorithm provides a reliable assessment of facial involvement in vitiligo. The study underlines the limitations of the F-VASI score when performed by nonexperts for homogeneous vitiligo depigmentation, and in all raters when depigmentation is heterogeneous.

Patient-Reported Outcomes of Medical Tattooing for Capillary Malformations.

BACKGROUND: Patients with capillary malformations (CMs) may undergo medical tattooing (MT) as an alternative to laser therapy. But little is known about treatment results and impact from the patients' perspective. OBJECTIVES: In this cross-sectional digital survey study, we evaluated the patient-reported outcomes of MT for CMs. METHODS: MT practices were identified via the Dutch Association of Skin Therapists and Google. These practices invited all their CM patients who had undergone MT between January 2011 and September 2021 to participate. Baseline and treatment characteristics, tattooing effectiveness, patient satisfaction with treatment outcomes, and complications were evaluated using a custom-made online survey. Quality of life was assessed with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. Factors associated with treatment effectiveness and patient satisfaction were identified via bivariate analysis and ordinal logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Most of the 89 respondents were female (69%). Almost all CMs were located on the face (90%) and mainly (dark) red (74%). Nearly all patients had undergone laser therapy (91%). Median number of tattooing sessions was 5 (IQR: 4.0-8.0). Thirty-seven percent of the patients perceived >75% color reduction. Younger patients were more likely to obtain lower treatment effectiveness (OR 0.44, 95% CI: 0.20-0.97). Most patients (83%) were satisfied with treatment results. Patients with lighter (OR 0.30, 95% CI: 0.13-0.72), non-facial (OR 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03-0.89), and hypertrophic CMs (OR 0.30, 95% CI: 0.11-0.82) were less likely to be satisfied with treatment outcomes. Patients with lighter skin types were more satisfied (OR 2.89, 95% CI: 1.23-6.80). Complications included transient pain (23%), bleeding (3.4%), hypertrophic scarring (1.1%), hypopigmentation (1.1%), and a halo around the tattoo (1.1%). CONCLUSION: MT seems a valid alternative treatment in addition to laser therapy for CMs, with mild complications. Most patients are (very) satisfied with treatment results, while color reduction is incomplete. Hence, it seems appropriate to decide together with patients whether or not to use MT as primary treatment or secondary to laser therapy.

Current Practice in Keloid Treatment: a Survey of Dutch Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Several therapeutic options are available for the treatment of keloids, but it remains unclear which treatment options are most commonly used by practitioners. OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevailing treatment for different keloid phenotypes among dermatologists and plastic surgeons in the Netherlands. METHODS: Members of the Dutch society for Plastic surgery and the Dutch society for Dermatology and Venereology were asked to participate. Questions elaborated on the treatment for a small and a large keloid on the mandibula and multiple keloids on the chest. RESULTS: One hundred forty-three responses were obtained. Heterogeneity in treatment was extremely high for the small, large, and multiple keloids with 27, 35, and 33 various first choices, respectively. Intralesional corticosteroids were most often chosen for all 3 different keloid phenotypes. These were mostly (61%) administered as monotherapy for the small keloid and mostly combined with other treatments for the large keloid (19%) and multiple keloids (43%). Surgery was chosen regularly (22%) for the large keloid, mostly combined with intralesional corticosteroids (10%) or brachytherapy (8.4%). CONCLUSION: Keloid treatment is very heterogeneous among dermatologists and plastic surgeons, even in a relatively small country as the Netherlands. Moreover, the treatment choice depends on the keloid phenotype.

Trained immunity in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.

Vitiligo is caused by an autoimmune reaction against melanocytes leading to melanocyte loss. The cause of vitiligo is an interaction between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Both the adaptive immune system-through cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and melanocyte specific antibodies-and the innate immune system are involved in these immune processes in vitiligo. While recent data stressed the importance of innate immunity in vitiligo, the question remains why vitiligo patients' immune response becomes overly activated. Could a long-term increase in innate memory function, described as trained immunity after vaccination and in other inflammatory diseases, play a role as an enhancer and continuous trigger in the pathogenesis of vitiligo? After exposure to certain stimuli, innate immune system is able to show an enhanced immunological response to a secondary trigger, indicating a memory function of the innate immune system, a concept termed trained immunity. Trained immunity is regulated by epigenetic reprogramming, including histone chemical modifications and changes in chromatin accessibility that cause sustained changes in the transcription of specific genes. In responses to an infection, trained immunity is beneficial. However, there are indications of a pathogenic role of trained immunity in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, with monocytes presenting features of a trained phenotype, resulting in increased cytokine production, altered cell metabolism through mTOR signaling, and epigenetic modifications. This hypothesis paper focusses on vitiligo studies that have shown these indications, suggesting the involvement of trained immunity in vitiligo. Future studies focusing on metabolic and epigenetic changes in innate immune cell populations in vitiligo could help in elucidating the potential role of trained immunity in vitiligo pathogenesis.

Efficacy and safety of needle-free jet injector-assisted intralesional treatments in dermatology-a systematic review.

Needle-free jet injectors are used for the intralesional treatment of various dermatological indications. However, a systematic review that evaluates the efficacy and safety of these treatments has not been published. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the efficacy and safety of needle-free jet injections for dermatological indications and to provide evidence-based treatment recommendations. An electronic literature search was conducted in April 2022. Two reviewers independently selected studies based on predefined criteria and performed a methodological quality assessment using the Cochrane Collaborations risk-of-bias 2.0 assessment tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Thirty-seven articles were included, involving 1911 participants. Dermatological indications included scars, alopecia areata, hyperhidrosis, nail diseases, non-melanoma skin cancer, common warts, local anesthesia, and aesthetic indications. Keloids and other types of scars (hypertrophic, atrophic, and burn scars) were investigated most frequently (n = 7). The included studies reported favorable efficacy and safety outcomes for intralesional jet injector-assisted treatment with triamcinolone acetonide/hexacetonide, 5-fluorouracil, bleomycin, or hyaluronic acid. Two high-quality studies showed good efficacy and tolerability of intralesional jet injections with a combination of 5-fluorouracil and triamcinolone acetonide in hypertrophic scars and with saline in boxcar and rolling acne scars. No serious adverse reactions and good tolerability were reported in the included studies. Overall, the methodological quality of the included studies was low. Limited evidence suggests that needle-free jet injector-assisted intralesional treatment is efficacious and safe for hypertrophic and atrophic acne scars. More well-powered RCTs investigating the efficacy and safety of jet injector treatment in dermatology are warranted to make further evidence-based recommendations.

Expert opinion about laser and intense pulsed light (IPL)-induced leukoderma or vitiligo: a cross-sectional survey study.

Vitiligo patients may desire laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation, vascular treatments, and other laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) assisted treatments. However, there is a risk of inducing new depigmented patches (Koebner phenomenon). In absence of guidelines on the safe use of laser or IPL in vitiligo patients, dermatologists tend to be reluctant to administer these treatments. The aim of this survey study was to provide an estimation of the occurrence and related risk factors of laser/IPL-induced leukoderma or vitiligo. A cross-sectional survey study was performed among 15 vitiligo experts from 11 countries, with 14 questions about affected patients, involved laser/IPL treatments and the physicians' approach. In a total of 11,300 vitiligo patients, laser/IPL-induced leukoderma or vitiligo was reported in 30 patients (0.27%). Of these, 12 (40%) patients had a medical history of vitiligo and seven (58%) of these patients had stable (> 12 months) vitiligo before the treatment. Most frequently reported were hair removal procedures and localization of the face and legs. Side effects like blistering, crusting, and erosions occurred in 56.7% of the cases. These vitiligo experts based their advice on the risk of the laser treatment on stability of the vitiligo (43%) and activity signs (50%), and 50% discuss the risks before starting a laser treatment. Relevant activity signs are the Koebner phenomenon (57.1%), confetti-like lesions (57.1%) and hypochromic borders (50%). Laser-induced leukoderma or vitiligo is an uncommon phenomenon. Remarkably, a minority had a medical history of vitiligo of which 58% were stable. Consequently, most cases could not have been prevented by not treating vitiligo patients. However, a majority had laser/IPL-induced skin damage. Therefore, caution is advised with aggressive settings and test-spots prior to the treatment are recommended. This study showed significant variation in the current recommendations and approach of vitiligo experts regarding laser/IPL-induced leukoderma or vitiligo.