Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition that causes white patches to develop on the skin. It can appear on any part of the body but is most commonly found on the face, neck, hands, and areas where the skin creases.
Vitiligo occurs when the cells that produce melanin, called melanocytes, stop functioning or die. Melanin is the pigment responsible for giving skin, hair, and eyes their color. When melanocytes become inactive or are destroyed, the skin loses its natural pigmentation, leading to the development of visible white patches that can appear on various parts of the body, including the face, hands, arms, legs, and even inside the mouth. The extent and pattern of depigmentation vary from person to person, with some individuals experiencing small localized patches, while others may have widespread loss of pigmentation across large areas of the body.
The exact cause of vitiligo is not fully understood, but it is believed to be an autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks melanocytes. Other contributing factors may include genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, or a combination of both.
The exact cause of vitiligo is not fully understood, but several factors may contribute to the condition:
The immune system mistakenly attacks melanocytes, reducing melanin production.
A family history of vitiligo increases the likelihood of developing the condition.
Factors like sunburn, stress, or exposure to chemicals can trigger vitiligo in susceptible individuals.
Vitiligo is sometimes linked with other autoimmune disorders, such as hyperthyroidism.
The exact cause of vitiligo is not fully understood, but several factors may contribute to the condition
The most common type.
White patches appear symmetrically on both sides of the body.
Affects only one side or segment of the body.
Often appears at an earlier age and progresses faster than NSV.
The exact cause of vitiligo is not fully understood, but several factors may contribute to the condition
Face, neck, hands, and wrists.
Armpits, groin, and genitals.
Mucous membranes inside the mouth and nose.
Edges may be smooth, irregular, or red & inflamed.
Surrounding areas might show brown discoloration (hyperpigmentation).
Premature whitening or graying of hair on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or beard.
Depigmented areas are more sensitive to sunlight.
While vitiligo primarily affects skin pigmentation, it can have other impacts.
Increased sensitivity to sunlight weakens hair follicles through oxidative stress and DNA damage.
Sun sensitivity weakens follicles through oxidative stress, speeding up hair thinning and loss.
Quicker graying occurs due to reduced melanin, influenced by genetics, aging, and oxidative stress.
Quicker graying occurs due to reduced melanin production, influenced by genetics.
Vitiligo is a lifelong condition, but these steps can help manage its effects
Missed or irregular periods are common due to infrequent ovulation
Difficulties in conceiving due to lack of regular ovulation.
Join support groups or seek counseling to cope with the emotional impact.
Remember vitiligo does not affect physical health or longevity.
We understand that every case of vitiligo is unique. Our team of expert dermatologists evaluates your condition thoroughly to recommend the most effective treatment plan. Our clinical treatments include.
These are anti-inflammatory medications that help repigment the skin by suppressing the immune response responsible for pigment loss. Long-term use should be monitored to avoid potential side effects such as thinning of the skin.
These topical medications, such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, are effective in treating small patches, especially on sensitive areas like the face and neck. They work by modulating the immune response without the side effects of steroids.
These help in stimulating melanocyte function, encouraging melanin production, and slowing down the spread of vitiligo. They are often used in combination with corticosteroids for better results.
This is one of the most effective treatments for vitiligo. It involves controlled exposure to UVB light, stimulating melanocyte activity to restore pigmentation. This therapy requires multiple sessions over several months for noticeable improvement.
A focused light therapy that delivers concentrated UVB rays to specific vitiligo-affected areas, making it ideal for small, localized patches. It speeds up repigmentation while minimizing exposure to healthy skin.
This involves transplanting healthy pigmented skin from an unaffected area of the body onto vitiligo patches. It is particularly effective for stable vitiligo cases that have not responded well to other treatments. Skin grafting is a surgical procedure that can help restore skin pigmentation and improve the appearance of vitiligo patches. While it carries some risks and complications, skin grafting can provide long-lasting results for patients with stable, localized vitiligo.
Hair follicles serve as a rich reservoir of melanocytes, making them a valuable source for repigmentation in vitiligo treatment. In this advanced transplantation technique, hair follicles are carefully extracted and implanted into depigmented patches, where melanocytes from the follicle roots gradually spread to restore skin color. This method offers a natural and long-lasting repigmentation process, particularly effective for resistant vitiligo areas. Dr. Kavish Chouhan and Dr. Amendra Kumar pioneered body hair transplantation for vitiligo, a technique now widely adopted by dermatological surgeons worldwide due to its success in restoring pigmentation with minimal invasiveness.
Suction blister grafting is an advanced surgical technique for vitiligo treatment, designed to restore skin pigmentation in affected areas. The procedure involves creating blisters on the patient’s pigmented skin using controlled suction, allowing the epidermis to separate without damaging underlying tissues. Once fully formed, the tops of these blisters are carefully excised and transplanted onto depigmented regions to stimulate melanin production. This method ensures a seamless color match, making it highly effective for stable vitiligo cases. With minimal risk of scarring and a relatively quick recovery, it offers long-lasting and natural-looking results, improving both skin appearance and patient confidence.
The Melanocyte-Keratinocyte Transplantation Technique (MKTP) is an advanced and effective surgical procedure designed for patients suffering from vitiligo or other pigmentary disorders. This minimally invasive treatment restores skin pigmentation by transplanting healthy melanocytes and keratinocytes to depigmented areas.
Cell Harvesting: A small sample of skin containing healthy melanocytes and keratinocytes is taken from a donor area, typically an unaffected part of the patient's body.
Cell Preparation: The harvested sample is processed in a specialized laboratory to isolate and prepare the melanocytes and keratinocytes for transplantation.
Transplantation: The prepared cells are applied to the depigmented area, which is prepped with dermabrasion for optimal adherence. A dressing is then placed to protect the treated area while the cells integrate.
Micropigmentation (Medical Tattooing):
A semi-permanent technique where natural pigment is implanted into the depigmented areas to blend seamlessly with the surrounding skin tone.
Camouflage Makeup:
Specially formulated, high-coverage makeup designed to conceal vitiligo patches effectively. These products are waterproof and long-lasting, providing confidence to individuals in daily activities.
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