Vitiligo Treatments and Side Effects Information

Vitiligo is a skin disorder caused due to depigmentation which forms white patches on the skin. Vitiligo can be of two types, Segmental and Non-Segmental Vitiligo. Excessive exposure to sunlight is a major reason how Vitiligo is caused however there is no scientific evidence to support the hypothesis. White patches formed as a result of Vitiligo remain the same throughout the individual’s life. Certain remedies can be used to decrease the visibility of the spots however they cannot be fully erased. It is important that one should not consider these remedies to eradicate the root causes of Vitiligo altogether.

Common methods to treat Vitiligo include:

  • Phototherapy (NB, UVB, and PUVA)

  • Micro-pigmentation

  • Excimer Laser

  • De-pigmentation

The article will now focus on the side effects of each treatment method in detail.

  1. Phototherapy (NB, UVB and PUVA)

Also known as photo chemotherapy, this method is ideal for those who have 20% of their bodies covered with white patches. Affected individuals are then called by the doctor for thirty-minute light exposure sessions. This may be helpful is reducing the white spots; however, it also has a few side effects which are as follows:

  • Skin Reddening

  • Premature Aging

  • Increased risks of skin cancer

  • Dry Skin

 

  1. Micro- pigmentation

Micro-pigmentation or tattooing as it is commonly known is another way of reducing the white patched formed from Vitiligo. Tattooing implants pigments with a surgical instrument. This method is only ideal for those with a dark colored skin because sometimes the color of the tattoo may not match the skin color completely. The side effects of this method include:

  • Induction of allergies

  • Inflammation which leads to red spots

  • Tattoos fade with the passage of time

  • Keloid Scars  

 

  1. Excimer Laser

If the white patches have just started appearing on your skin, this may be a good time to use Excimer Laser for the treatment. This therapy is good for small amount of patches and therefore does not prove to be highly efficient when your spots grow bigger. Under this method, controlled beams of UVB are exposed to the patches. Some side effects of the Excimer Laser are:

  • Blisters

  • Sores

  • Redness or Erythema

  • Hyper-pigmentation

 

  1. Depigmentation

If more than half of your body is covered with white patches and you’re worried about the way it looks, De-pigmentation is the best treatment method for you. Instead of treating your white patches, this method attends to the unaffected area and helps it match with the areas that have already lost color. Ointments are used for this purpose. The side effects associated with this method include:

  • Severe Itching

  • Dry Skin

  • Increased skin sentivity to sunlight

  • Inflammation and swelling

Doctors are continually researching to find a better cure for those affected by Vitiligo for white patches not only make you look bad but also lower your self esteem. However, if you are unwilling to undergo a remedy of this sort you can count on the Vitiligo vitamins as most individuals are taking too much anti-biotic treatment. This can help get your vitamin levels back up.

+1-917-599-5295