What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a pigmentary skin disorder that is known to alter a person’s appearance. White patches of skin appear on the face, neck and scalp, sites of injury, body openings, or even at the back of the eye.
These areas of depigmentation develop when the melanocytes, or cells that give the skin color, are destroyed. The disorder is progressive, meaning that the white patches can spread.
Other areas of the body that may be affected:
- Skin exposed to the sun
- Skin inside the mouth
- Hair
- Skin folds
- Area around pigmented moles
What Causes Vitiligo?
Both the cause and cure are unknown. Some contributing factors and common characteristics include:
- Family history
- Severe sunburn or emotional trauma
- Autoimmune disorders
What Treats Vitiligo?
- Repigmentation therapy
- Depigmentation therapy
- Excimer laser treatment
- Phototherapy
- Narrow-band UVB
- Topical tacrolimus ointment (0.03% or 0.1%)
- Sun protection
Email or call us at 973-509-2000 to ask questions about vitiligo treatment options, and set up an appointment with one of our New Jersey dermatologists. We are excited to learn how we can help.
