Vitiligo Treatment

There’s no cure for vitiligo, but it is treatable. The type of treatment we use depends on:

• Depigmentation: The effects of this treatment are permanent. Patients with widespread vitiligo usually opt for this choice, especially when none of the others has worked. Here, you would apply a depigmentation agent to the skin that hasn’t been affected by vitiligo, and it will ultimately blend with the discolored patches. You would repeat this process up to two times a day for at least nine months.

• Your age Which body part it’s affecting
• How quickly it’s progressing
• How it’s impacting your life

After we’ve assessed your condition, we may choose to include one or a combination of these methods in your treatment plan:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs: We may prescribe a corticosteroid cream to help restore the color of your skin. Keep in mind that it might take up to several months for you to notice a difference. Receiving this drug through pills or injections is also an option.

• Skin grafting: The doctor will remove patches of healthy and pigmented skin and transfer them to the affected areas. Typically, patients who have localized vitiligo opt for surgery.

Our doctors can go through the side effects of each of these treatments and determine which one would benefit you the most while posing the most limited risk.

• Light therapy: Researchers have observed that phototherapy with ultraviolet (UVB) has slowed or stopped the progression of vitiligo. It’s most effective when used in conjunction with corticosteroids. Your doctor may suggest you undergo light therapy up to three times a week for a few months before the skin color is restored. It can take up to half a year to see the full effect of this treatment.

What You Can Do to Remedy
Your Vitiligo at Home

There are some home treatments you can self-administer to alleviate your vitiligo symptoms. They include:

• Protecting your skin in the sun: Tanning can actually accentuate your discolored patches. That’s why it’s important to cover up and wear a hat whenever you go in the sun. Stay in the shade if you can, too. Apply a sunscreen that has at least 30 SPF, and reapply every 90 minutes or so, perhaps more if you’ve been sweating or swimming.

• Abstaining from getting a tattoo: Any skin damage, including from a tattoo, can trigger a vitiligo patch to appear within a couple of weeks.
• Using makeup or skincare products to conceal the affected skin: Some makeup does a great job of concealing the depigmented patches of skin. Self-tanning products can work, too, but they fade over time. It’s still a good option, so look into it if you’re interested. Make sure you buy one with dihydroxyacetone, as it is FDA-approved.

Our doctors can tell you more about how you can manage your vitiligo symptoms when you come in for your appointment.