TEHRAN -- An Iranian researcher Dr Leila Ata'ie Fashtami who has succeeded in applying laser to treat a skin disease known as vittiglio was awarded the first prize at the Florence international conference, IRNA reported.

Dr Fashtami, a dermatologist won the prize for the best article by presenting a paper on her research titled `treatment of vittiglio by low-power laser'.

Pointing the application of laser in surgery and treatment of many diseases, she said that the treatment method is effective in curing wounds, improving the cellular metabolism and reducing inflammation.

"Application of laser in treating vittiglio is a new procedure in the world and more research is required to optimize its healing effects," she added.

According to her, vittiglio is a disease which wears out the melanocyte cells and ends with the appearance of white spots on the skin. Dr Fashtami said, "Various methods have so far been used in the treatment of vittiglio, but no definite therapy has yet been found."

At a conference held in Florence, Italy, out of the 98 presented articles, five came from Iran among which three belonged to the medical laser center of University Jihad.

Dr Ata'ie Fashtami's article selected among the University Jihad's three papers for introducing a new idea, is one of the ten top nominees at the conference.