PRP Plus Fractional Laser Shows Promise for Vitiligo Treatment, Meta-Analysis Finds
China: A new meta-analysis published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology highlights the therapeutic potential of combining platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with fractional laser therapy for treating vitiligo. Led by Dr. Xiaowei Feng and colleagues from the Department of Dermatovenerology at Chengdu First People's Hospital, China, the study analyzed current randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this novel combination therapy.
Vitiligo, a chronic skin condition characterized by loss of pigment, often proves resistant to conventional treatments, prompting the need for innovative strategies. While both PRP and fractional laser therapy have been explored separately for their regenerative benefits, their combined use has not been comprehensively assessed until now.
To investigate, the researchers systematically reviewed seven randomized controlled trials involving a total of 366 adult patients with vitiligo. The studies compared outcomes between patients receiving the PRP-fractional laser combination and those treated with standard therapies such as topical medications, monotherapy, sun exposure, or other laser-based modalities like fractional laser plus narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB).
The study revealed the following findings:
- Patients treated with the PRP and fractional laser combination showed significantly greater improvement in repigmentation (mean difference [MD]: 1.58) compared to control groups.
- The satisfaction scores were also higher among those who received the combination therapy (MD: 1.87).
- The chance of showing no response to treatment was almost halved in the combination group (risk ratio [RR]: 0.54), reflecting a better overall therapeutic outcome.
- The incidence of adverse events was similar between the combination and control groups (RR: 0.86), indicating that the treatment’s improved efficacy did not come with increased side effects.
“These findings support the clinical utility of combining PRP with fractional laser for vitiligo, especially for patients with stable disease who have not responded to conventional treatments,” the authors noted. “The results highlight improved patient outcomes and reinforce the safety of this innovative approach.”
Despite these promising findings, the authors urge caution in interpreting the results. They emphasize the need for further high-quality, large-scale clinical trials to substantiate the long-term benefits and standardize treatment protocols.
In summary, the meta-analysis offers encouraging evidence that integrating platelet-rich plasma with fractional laser therapy may be a safe and effective option for managing vitiligo. As dermatologists continue to seek more effective interventions for this challenging condition, the PRP-laser combination could emerge as a valuable addition to the therapeutic arsenal, pending further clinical validation.
“The research highlights the combination of fractional laser and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a safe and effective treatment option for adults with vitiligo, especially in cases of stable disease that does not respond to conventional therapies,” the researchers noted. They added, “Although the findings are encouraging, further large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trials are necessary to validate and reinforce these results.”
Reference:
Feng, X., Jiang, S., Zou, X., Deng, Y., & Xie, J. (2025). Efficacy and Safety of Combined Platelet-Rich Plasma With Fractional Laser for Adult Patients With Vitiligo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 24(5), e70245. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.70245
