BACKGROUND: Inactive amelanotic melanocytes are found in hair follicles as a melanocytic reservoir in vitiligo. Procedures that cause superficial skin abrasion induce the activation and migration of melanocytes from hair follicles. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate 1) the proportion of melanocytes in relation to keratinocytes in the epidermal basal layer, and to the presence of melanin at histopathology and 2) the clinical progression after sequential curettage in vitiligo lesions. METHODS: Sixteen patients were evaluated and submitted to three surface curettages performed every 30 days, precurettage biopsy (control) and biopsies 30 days after each curettage. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to analyze the proportion of melanocytes and Fontana-Masson staining to determine melanin presence. Clinical progression was assessed through iconographic documentation. CONCLUSION: A sequence of curettages tends to increase the mean number of melanocytes in the epidermal basal layer, induce the melanin granule formation and enhance vitiligo repigmentation.
Curettage; Pigmentation disorders; Skin Pigmentation; Vitiligo; Vitiligo; Vitiligo
