Are you noticing light spots or patches on the skin? Those white patches may indicate that you are dealing with vitiligo. Let’s understand more about vitiligo:
What is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is usually the result of patches of skin colour loss. Over time, the discoloured areas typically enlarge. Any area of the body’s skin may be impacted by the illness. The inside of the mouth and hair may also be impacted.
Normally, melanin determines the colour of skin and hair. When melanin-producing cells are killed off or cease to function, vitiligo occurs. People with brown or black skin may notice vitiligo more than others, but it affects people of all skin types. Though vitiligo is not life-threatening, it could be upsetting or leave you feeling self-conscious.
What are the possible symptoms of vitiligo?
Signs of vitiligo include:
- Patchy skin colour loss that typically starts on the hands, face, and in the vicinity of genitalia and bodily openings
- Premature greying or whitening of your beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, or scalp hair
- Loss of colour in the mucous membranes, the tissues lining the inside of the nose and mouth.
- Though it can begin at any age, vitiligo typically manifests before the age of thirty.
What body parts are easily affected by vitiligo, and what are their various types?
- Almost every surface of the skin: This kind of vitiligo, known as universal vitiligo, discolours almost every surface of the skin.
- Numerous body parts: In the most prevalent kind, known as generalised vitiligo, the discoloured patches frequently spread symmetrically over matching body parts.
- Just one side or body portion—this kind, known as segmental vitiligo, usually starts earlier in life, advances for a year or two, and then stops.
- One or a small number of bodily parts: This kind is known as focal, or localised, vitiligo.
- The hands and face. This type of vitiligo, known as acrofacial vitiligo, affects the skin on the hands and face, as well as the areas surrounding body openings like the ears, nose, and eyes.
What is the reason behind the occurrence of vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a condition where your skin lacks melanin, a pigment, and may result from:
- An autoimmune disease is when your body’s defences misinterpret healthy cells, or melanocytes, as foreign invaders, such as bacteria, that could damage your body. Your immune system overreacts as a result, producing antibodies that kill your melanocytes.
- Genetic alterations: The way your melanocytes work may be impacted by a genetic mutation or alteration to your body’s DNA. More than 30 genes have been linked to an increased risk of vitiligo.
- Stress: If you frequently subject your body to physical or emotional stress, particularly following an injury, your melanocyte cells’ ability to produce pigment may be affected.
- Environmental triggers: elements such as UV rays and exposure to harmful chemicals can impact the functionality of your melanocyte cells.
So, what is the solution for treating vitiligo problems?
Here are a few non-surgical and safe options to treat vitiligo disease:
- Phototherapy: UV light, which is the same light found in sunlight, is used in phototherapy. It has been specially filtered to deliver only the wavelengths that are most helpful for stimulating repigmentation. In vitiligo-affected skin areas, exposure to these concentrated UVB rays may increase melanocyte counts and inhibit the formation of new white patches.
Although phototherapy appears to have few negative effects, research indicates that a sunburn-like reaction and skin stinging or irritation are potential side effects.
- Excimer laser: An intensely concentrated UVB beam is produced by the excimer laser. Dermatologists use a wand-like device to focus the laser directly on the areas of skin that have lightened. It’s possible that the UVB rays will encourage skin repigmentation, giving white areas their original colour.
In less than thirty minutes, the dermatologist can perform this painless procedure. In order to get the desired results, multiple sessions are usually needed. Dermatologists may recommend twice-weekly sessions for four to six months, after which they will assess whether more treatment is needed.
- Skin Coamouflage: Using specific products over vitiligo patches, skin camouflage for vitiligo aims to mimic the colour of non-vitiligo skin. Skin staining pens, medical tattoos, makeup, and fake tanner are a few products and techniques for skin camouflage.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that skin camouflage does not treat or cure vitiligo; it is just made to cover up the white patches on skin and make them look like natural skin tone.
Is vitiligo treatment with a laser safe?
Dermatologists employ cutting-edge, potent light therapy techniques to reduce the visibility of vitiligo-caused skin discolorations. People of all ages and skin tones can safely receive phototherapy and laser treatments; these painless therapies are safe.
What after-cares are advised for you to follow after the laser viiligo treatment?
After the procedure, these few precautions are needed:
- We advise applying cold packs to any soreness or swelling and using a post-treatment balm to keep the area calmed down right after your procedure.
- Additionally, over-the-counter painkillers are an option. It may take seven to ten days for the areas to heal, and a scab or blister may appear.
What do dermatologists recommend to prevent vitiligo beforehand?
It is possible to prevent vitiligo beforehand by taking a few precautions in your daily life:
- Protect your skin from the sun. Skin that has lost its natural pigmentation is more prone to sunburn. A severe sunburn can make vitiligo worse.
- There’s an added benefit to shielding your skin from the sun if you have lighter skin. The paler areas and patches are frequently less obvious in the absence of a tan.
- Vitiligo can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, as it can affect one’s immune system.
- A skin injury can sometimes lead to new spots or patches; to avoid vitiligo, protecting the skin from injury is important.
Why choose the eEpiderma Clinic for treating vitiligo?
eEpiderma Cosmetology & Laser Clinic is the best and safest place to treat vitiligo problems, as we provide treatment with high-end and modern laser technologies that are FDA-approved and ensure safety and no risk.
Our clinic has a team of skilled skin specialists and dermatologists who examine the patient’s skin before the treatment is executed in order to avoid any risk and to choose the right treatment and technology that is suitable for the patient’s skin condition. We understand the patient’s goal and plan the treatment accordingly with the utmost care and safety.