Vitiligo has no cure. This statement is not a contradiction to the heading of vitiligo treatment options because no therapy can remove the disease from your body permanently. However, some therapies improve the condition albeit for a while since it tends to recur.
What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a disease that causes the skin to lose its color. It starts when cells from the immune system destroy melanocytes which produce the skin’s pigment known as melanin. Symptoms include white patches on the skin and premature graying of the hair. Vitiligo also affects a person’s mental health. It causes physical disfigurement that triggers low self-esteem, social stigmatization, and depression. Vitiligo treatment therefore aims to restore standard skin color to the skin which has lost it and thus improve the person’s quality of life. Vitiligo treatment options that can help one achieve those goals include:
1 Topical Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids applied on the skin are commonly used as the first-line treatment for vitiligo because they are easy to use. Numerous medical studies have shown that they are effective since they reduce the destruction of melanocytes by immune cells. These medications are most effective in the early stages of vitiligo. Their side effects include acne and thinning of the skin. Betamethasone and clobetasol are some of the steroid creams used to treat vitiligo.
2 Topical Immunotherapy
Tacrolimus is proven by studies to treat vitiligo effectively. It suppresses the T cells from the immune system that destroy melanocytes. Persons who do not respond to topical corticosteroids use tacrolimus for treatment. It is also beneficial for vitiliginous patches on the face and neck since it does not cause acne and other side effects of topical steroids. However, there is a link between using tacrolimus ointment and developing skin cancer.
3 Phototherapy
Phototherapy is treatment with ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. It is clinically proven to aid repigmentation because it causes melanocytes to produce more melanin. This light-based therapy is used for more widespread vitiligo and for persons who have not responded to topical medications. It is also safe enough to be used by children and pregnant women. Side effects of phototherapy include redness, itching, and swelling of the skin. It also requires frequent visits to the hospital for long durations.
In conclusion, vitiligo cannot be cured but it can be treated with corticosteroids, immunotherapy, and phototherapy which restore the skin’s color. However, these therapies must be used with sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more. Skin affected by vitiligo lacks melanin to protect it from the sun’s UV rays. Sunscreen protects it from sunburn and skin cancer.
Tell us in the comments which of these non-surgical vitiligo treatment options is your favorite.