Vitiligo is a long-term disorder that causes the skin to lose its pigment or color. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets melanocytes—cells that are responsible for producing melanin, the chemical that gives color to one’s skin and hair. When vitiligo affects the melanocytes, the skin turns white or appears lighter. While there is no permanent cure, certain treatments and remedies can help one manage vitiligo symptoms and slow down the condition’s progress.

Vitiligo treatment options
One can manage the symptoms of vitiligo through various methods, such as phototherapy, surgical intervention, and emotional support. A health expert will help one determine the most effective management option by evaluating several factors, such as the patient’s age, the severity of the condition, the pace of its progression, and the extent of skin affected. Each treatment aims to restore a uniform skin tone through repigmentation (restoring color) or depigmentation (removing the remaining color) of the skin.

1. Light therapy
This is a type of phototherapy that helps restore the skin’s color. For this treatment, a healthcare professional like a dermatologist uses ultraviolet B (UVB) lights, light boxes, or medical-grade lasers. Using any of these, the skin is exposed to high-intensity light for a short period. After multiple sessions, results will start to appear on one’s skin. This type of treatment is usually used when vitiligo affects the head, neck, upper arms, legs, and trunk.

2. Depigmentation therapy
This treatment removes the color of one’s natural skin tone to make it match the areas affected by vitiligo.

3. Surgery
In some cases, surgery is recommended to manage vitiligo when the condition is not actively progressing, and other treatments have failed to yield results. Common types of surgical interventions include skin grafts and blister grafting.

4. Counseling
Often, a common way to deal with vitiligo is to go through counseling. This involves visiting health professionals who can provide guidance and techniques to improve a person’s self-esteem and emotional well-being, which can be affected by the changing appearance of the skin caused by vitiligo.