Vitiligo Treatment

Vitiligo is a relatively common skin disorder in which ivory white patches appear due to the disappearance of the pigment-producing cells. It affects approximately one to two million Americans usually developing before the age of 40.

Causes and risk factors

The exact cause of vitiligo is not fully understood, but it is believed to be an autoimmune disease that attacks melanocytes resulting in the skin losing its color. It can affect men and women of all ethnicities and may run in families.

Signs of vitiligo

The most common symptom is the rapid loss of color in one or several specific patches. This may occur anywhere on the body. Areas that receive regular sun exposure, such as the face, arms, and legs, are especially susceptible. These patches tend to form one of three patterns:

• Generalized – Depigmented patches develop on both sides of the body symmetrically. This is the most common pattern.
• Segmental – Depigmentation only occurs on one side of the body.
• Focal – Only one, or a selected few, areas are affected.

Focal and segmental patterns generally do not spread but generalized patterns may. For some people, the white patches spread slowly over many years. In other cases, they spread rapidly or not at all. It often cycles through periods of stability followed by periods of increasing pigment loss. What causes or prevents the spread of vitiligo is not known, but some patients have reported an apparent connection to periods of emotional stress or physical activity. In addition to skin depigmentation, people with vitiligo may experience prematurely graying hair.

Treatment options

The first and simplest option is topical therapy with an ointment called tacrolimus. Safe and simple, it can often reverse early vitiligo. If that fails, narrow band ultravoilet light can be used. Often effective, the disadvantage is that it requires office visits two to three times a week for multiple treatments. Lastly, in more difficult cases, a new and very exciting laser, the Xtrac, can be used with remarkable success. This, too, requires a couple of visits weekly for many weeks.

If you would like to schedule an appointment at the Center For Dermatology Cosmetic And Laser Surgery, please call our Fremont office at or our Milpitas office at .