Living with vitiligo can bring a lot of questions and uncertainties, and that’s completely normal. Whether you’ve recently developed vitiligo or are supporting someone who has it, this blog will help you resolve these concerns and understand some of the basics.
We’ll go over questions like what causes vitiligo, can vitiligo go away, what are my treatment options, and more, so you can feel confident and informed moving forward.
What Is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a condition where the skin loses its natural pigment, leading to lighter patches that can vary in size and spread. This happens when the cells responsible for producing melanin, the substance that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color, stop functioning or die. Vitiligo is not contagious or harmful, and it can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, etc.
What Causes Vitiligo?
The different coloring on the skin is caused by a lack of pigment (melanin) in the cells, but the exact cause of the lack of pigment itself is unknown. Many medical professionals believe vitiligo is connected to an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks melanocytes, which are the cells that produce skin pigment.
Other possible causes of vitiligo may include genetic changes, high levels of stress, or skin trauma such as a severe sunburn or exposure to chemicals.
Can Vitiligo Go Away?
Vitiligo typically doesn’t go away completely, and most cases are lifelong. However, certain treatments can help even out the difference in skin tone and lead to repigmentation. The success of these treatments varies from person to person, depending on the severity of their case and their body’s reaction to the treatments.
What Treatments Can Help with Vitiligo?
While vitiligo seldom disappears completely, these treatments can help reduce its appearance.
Skin Camouflage
Using makeup, self-tanner, or skin dyes to blend the patches of discoloration with the surrounding skin is a quick and non-invasive way to even out the appearance of vitiligo.
Topical Medications
Topical medications, such as corticosteroid creams or calcineurin inhibitors, aim to reduce inflammation and encourage repigmentation in affected areas.
JAK Inhibitors
JAK inhibitor cream is a newer treatment option that targets immune pathways to help restore skin pigmentation by reducing the abnormal immune responses that attack melanocytes.
Light Therapy
Light therapy, or phototherapy, uses controlled ultraviolet (UV) light exposure to stimulate pigment-producing cells on lighter patches of skin, which is particularly helpful in areas with active depigmentation.
Micropigmentation
Micropigmentation, also known as medical tattooing, involves implanting pigment into the skin to create a more even skin tone in lighter patches. This works well when there are fewer, smaller vitiligo patches.
Depigmentation
Depigmentation is a procedure for those with widespread vitiligo, where the remaining pigmented skin is lightened to match the areas with vitiligo to create a more uniform skin tone.
Feel Confident in Your Skin with Utah Valley Medical Spa
At Utah Valley Medical Spa, our goal is to help you feel happy and confident in your own skin, because you’re beautiful! Each doctor and aesthetician is kind, skilled, and ready to offer personalized treatment advice to help you manage your vitiligo in a way that feels right to you. Schedule your first appointment to talk about questions like, “Can vitiligo go away?” or “What are the best options for my vitiligo?” and get started on your treatment plan.