Vitiligo, or the loss of pigment around the body, can happen in anyone of any race, skin color, age, or gender. While it typically shows up early in life, it can continue to spread throughout your lifetime. There's evidence to show genetics may play a role in vitiligo, so you might be more at risk to have it if you have a close relative who has it as well.

There isn't a known, specific cause for vitiligo. Pigment loss happens when the color-producing cells in our bodies, called melanocytes, die off. The reason for these cells dying isn't clear. There are several factors that contribute to an individual's risk of getting vitiligo, such as genetics. There is also a link between autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's and vitiligo, which can hopefully provide more information about its cause in the future.

There are many treatment options for patients with vitiligo, meaning an even skin tone is possible! There are some medicines that, when applied to the skin, may help restore some of the lost pigment. Light treatment, sometimes used with laser therapy as well, is another good option. In PUVA light therapy, both light and a topical medication are used to boost skin's pigment.

Rare treatments can also include surgically taking pigmented skin and placing it on non-pigmented areas or removing all remaining pigment from a patient's skin. Both of these options are more intensive.

Your Elias Dermatology professional will help you determine which vitiligo treatment will best meet your needs. Come in for a consultation today to get started.

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Vitiligo treatment typically takes weeks or months to show results. In some cases, a year or more's worth of treatment may be required to achieve the desired result. If correction of your vitiligo is something you're wanting to pursue, the Elias Dermatology team is here to make that happen.