Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that causes a patchy loss of skin color and premature graying of the hair on the face and scalp. It is caused by the lack of melanin in the skin, which is a pigment produced by melanocyte cells. While the condition is not considered medically dangerous, it can impact one’s self-esteem. Treatment for vitiligo largely depends on one’s age, the progression of the disease, and its effect on one’s life.

Topical treatments
One of the most common vitiligo treatment options doctors prescribe is a topical treatment such as a cream or an ointment to help restore lost color. OPZELURA is a prescription treatment for non-segmental vitiligo. It is an FDA-approved treatment that helps restore lost skin color due to vitiligo and can be used among those who are 12 years and older.

Light therapy
Phototherapy or light therapy using narrow-band ultraviolet B (UVB) light can slow down and even stop the spread of active vitiligo. This line of treatment may take one to three months to show effect, with sessions scheduled two to three times per week. Light therapy particularly helps restore the color of the face and neck. But, it may cause redness, itching, and burning, which generally subside after a few hours of the procedure. While in-office treatment is recommended for safety purposes, one may also invest in portable or handheld UVB light therapy devices available for home use.

Depigmentation
If the condition is widespread, depigmentation may be a good idea to treat vitiligo. Here, a depigmenting agent is applied to the unaffected areas of the skin to lighten its appearance and achieve an even skin tone. This is done once or twice a day for nine months, but it may cause redness, swelling, itchiness, or dry skin.

Surgery
Some people with stable vitiligo also opt for surgery to restore skin color. There are generally three types of surgeries to treat vitiligo.

– Skin grafting
During this procedure, small portions of healthy skin are moved to areas of the body that have lost pigment. It is considered suitable for those with small patches of vitiligo. Possible risks associated with skin grafting include infection, scarring, spotty color, a cobblestone appearance, or a failure of the area to recolor.

– Blister grafting
In this type of surgery, the doctor creates blisters on the pigmented skin using suction and then transfers the top of the blisters to the discolored skin. Just like skin grafting, it may have associated risks like scarring, cobblestoning, or a failure to recolor the skin. Further, the stress on the skin due to the blisters may trigger an additional patch of vitiligo.

– Cellular suspension transplant
Doctors may recommend a cellular suspension transplant, during which pigmented tissue is taken from the skin, put into a solution, and then transplanted onto the affected area. Results of this treatment can usually be seen in four weeks, and possible risks include scarring, infections, or an uneven skin tone.