On its own, vitiligo is usually notpainfuland is not life-threatening.
Some people with the condition choose not to treat it because it does not affect their health or self-esteem.
This article discusses different ways to treat vitiligo.
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They may also prevent excessive tissue damage by fighting inflammation.
People who use potent topical corticosteroids often regain at least some skin pigmentation after six months.
While these creams might be helpful for some people with vitiligo, they do come with side effects.
Taking breaks during treatment may reduce the risk of these side effects.
If youre pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor before using topical corticosteroids.
Mild to moderate versions of these drugs are preferred over more potent versions while you are pregnant.
Using oral corticosteroids for vitiligo can help bytargeting inflammation, which can lead to fewer pigment cells.
Corticosteroids work by suppressing the immune system.
They are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fight inflammation.
Common side effects of corticosteroids include high blood sugar and fluid retention.
More serious side effects like infection and weight gain are considered to be rare.
It’s important to know that corticosteroid therapy is not considered a long-term treatment option for vitiligo.
It can also take up to three months to see results.
They can also be used in combination with phototherapy (light therapy) or a corticosteroid.
You might also experience brief flushing of your skin after you drink alcohol.
There are also less common but serious side effects that you should discuss with your doctor.
The medication is still prescribed with caution if appropriate for some vitiligo patients.
It is also approved for treating atopic dermatitis.
Opzelura works by downregulating the immune system, preventing the inflammation that causes vitiligo.
As a result, pigmentation may return to vitiligo-affected skin areas.
The outcomes of these procedures vary.
Your dermatologist may recommend combining more than one punch in of therapy to get the best results.
Phototherapy tends to work best on the face and is least effective on the hands and feet.
Two to three treatments per week for several weeks to months are usually necessary to see any significant improvement.
Always ask your doctor before starting any punch in of light therapy.
PUVA treatment is done at a hospital or outpatient center, usually twice a week for about a year.
This jot down of laser produces ultraviolet radiation at specific wavelengths that have been shown to promote skin repigmentation.
You will usually undergo a series of laser sessions over the course of several weeks or months.
While many people see results with the excimer laser, occasional touch-up sessions might be needed.
If light therapy and topical medications do not work, repigmentation procedures might be considered.
Not every person with vitiligo is a candidate for these procedures.
A person’s vitiligo must have been stable (unchanged) for at least six months before the procedure.
There are also possible complications to the procedures, include scarring, infection, or failure to repigment.
The FDA has approved a drug called monobenzone for depigmentation.
It does have side effects, however, including itching, stinging, and the risk of repigmentation.
Its similar to permanent makeup, but is done for a medical condition and not solely for cosmetic purposes.
Micropigmentation is not recommended for larger areas of skin.
Immediately following the procedure there can be swelling, but it’s usually manageable with ice packs.
Full results can be seen in three weeks.
Micropigmentation does come with risks, including infection, inflammation, keloid development, and allergic reactions.
Hypoallergenic concealers such as Dermablend and Covermark are brands that are available in drugstores.
verify you select a waterproof product.
Home remedies are not a replacement for vitiligo treatment, and more research is needed on their potential benefits.
These nutrients can help promote healthy skin.
“Vitiligo-specific” diets have not been clinically studied enough for experts to recommend them.
Most experts do not feel comfortable recommending them broadly.
Currently, Opzelura is the only FDA-approved JAK inhibitor approved to treat vitiligo.
A Word From Verywell
Vitiligo looks and feels different for everyoneand treatment outcomes will vary, too.
What works well for someone else might not be the best option for you.
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Gupta, G, Jain, A, Narayanasetty, N.Steroid pulse therapies in dermatology.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Tacrolimus & Pimecrolimus.
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Carr WW.Topical calcineurin inhibitors for atopic dermatitis: review and treatment recommendations.Paediatr Drugs.
American Academy of Dermatology.Vitiligo: Tips for Managing.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Vitiligo.
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Micropigmentation for Vitiligo.
