Medical Services

Vitiligo

About Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition of white patches resulting from loss of pigment. Any part of the body may be affected. Usually both sides of the body are similarly affected by a few to many milky-white patches. Common areas of involvement are the face, lips, hands, arms, legs and genital areas.

Vitiligo affects one or two of every 100 people. About half the people who develop it do so before the age of 20; about one fifth have a family member with this condition. Most people with vitiligo are in good general health. Melanin, the pigment that determines color of skin, hair, and eyes, is produced in cells called melanocytes. If these cells die or cannot form melanin, the skin becomes lighter or completely white. Vitiligo is the result of the disappearance of the skin’s melanocytes. No one knows why this happens for sure.

Causes of Vitiligo

Melanin is the pigment that gives the skin its characteristic color. Vitiligo is caused by a loss of pigment in the skin, due to destruction of pigment-forming cells known as melanocytes. The exact cause of the destruction of these cells is not known. One possible explanation might be that the body’s immune system destroys the cells, as in other autoimmune conditions. Although vitiligo affects all races equally, it is more noticeable in dark-skinned people.

Symptoms of Vitiligo

Symptoms of vitiligo include an often rapid pigment loss on several areas of the skin. The initial appearance of the white patches can be followed by a stable period without any progression of the condition. Later on, further cycles of pigment loss and stability may be observed. Vitiligo commonly affects areas on the skin that are exposed to sun, body folds (such as armpits), previous sites of injury, areas around moles, or areas around body openings. It is rare for pigment to return once the white patches have developed. Vitiligo can also affect the eyelids and hair.

Diagnoses and Treatment of Vitiligo

Your doctor can usually make the diagnosis of vitiligo during a physical exam. There is no known way to prevent or cure vitiligo. However, several methods, including cosmetics, re-pigmentation using UV light therapy, corticosteroid creams, depigmentation of unaffected skin areas, and skin grafting, can be used to improve the appearance of skin severely affected by vitiligo.

FAQ Vitiligo

Are there new treatments for vitiligo beyond UV light therapy?

Yes. The treatment landscape for vitiligo has changed significantly in recent years. The FDA approved Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream as the first pharmacologic treatment specifically designed to promote repigmentation in vitiligo patients aged 12 and older. This topical JAK inhibitor works by targeting the immune pathway responsible for melanocyte destruction. Recent research shows that combining JAK inhibitors with narrowband UVB phototherapy can further improve outcomes and may reduce relapse rates.

Is vitiligo an autoimmune condition?

That is the leading theory. Vitiligo is widely understood to be an autoimmune condition in which the body's own immune system attacks and destroys melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment. According to a 2026 review in Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, the condition affects approximately 0.5 to 2% of the global population. People with vitiligo are more likely to have other autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease, which is why your dermatologist may recommend related blood work as part of your evaluation.

How long does vitiligo treatment take to show results?

Repigmentation is a gradual process that requires patience. The FDA notes that patients using Opzelura (ruxolitinib) may need more than 24 weeks of consistent, twice-daily application before achieving satisfactory results. Phototherapy typically requires multiple sessions over several months. The face and neck tend to respond best to treatment, while the hands, feet, and bony areas can be more resistant. Your dermatologist will set realistic expectations and track your progress over time to adjust the treatment plan as needed.