Vitiligo is a chronic condition that causes pale, white patches to develop on
the skin. The areas affected have little or no melanin.
Melanin is a dye-like substance that is produced by specialised skin cells called melanocytes, which give your skin its colour and protect it from the sun's rays.
Where does vitiligo occur?
Vitiligo can affect any area of your skin, but most commonly occurs on skin that is exposed to the sun, such as your face, neck and hands.
Vitiligo is more noticeable in people whose skin is dark or tanned. The condition varies from person to person. For example, some people only get a few small, white patches that progress no further. Other people get bigger white patches that join up across large areas of their skin.
There is no way of predicting how much of your skin will be affected, and the white patches are usually permanent.
Phototherapy (treatment with light) may be used for children or adults if:
topical treatments haven't worked
the vitiligo is widespread
the vitiligo is having a significant impact on quality of life
Evidence suggests that phototherapy, particularly when combined with other treatments, has a positive effect on vitiligo.
During phototherapy, your skin is exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light from a special lamp. You may first take a medicine called psoralen, which makes your skin more sensitive to the light. Psoralen can be taken by mouth (orally), or it can be added to your bath water.
This type of treatment is sometimes called PUVA (psoralen and UVA light).
Phototherapy may increase the risk of skin cancer because of the extra exposure to UVA rays. The risk of skin cancer is lower with UVB light. Your dermatologist should discuss the risk with you before you decide to have phototherapy.
Sunlamps that you can buy to use at home for light therapy aren't recommended. They're not as effective as the phototherapy you'll receive in hospital. The lamps are also not regulated, so may not be safe.
Melanin is a dye-like substance that is produced by specialised skin cells called melanocytes, which give your skin its colour and protect it from the sun's rays.
Where does vitiligo occur?
Vitiligo can affect any area of your skin, but most commonly occurs on skin that is exposed to the sun, such as your face, neck and hands.
Vitiligo is more noticeable in people whose skin is dark or tanned. The condition varies from person to person. For example, some people only get a few small, white patches that progress no further. Other people get bigger white patches that join up across large areas of their skin.
There is no way of predicting how much of your skin will be affected, and the white patches are usually permanent.
Phototherapy (treatment with light) may be used for children or adults if:
topical treatments haven't worked
the vitiligo is widespread
the vitiligo is having a significant impact on quality of life
Evidence suggests that phototherapy, particularly when combined with other treatments, has a positive effect on vitiligo.
During phototherapy, your skin is exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light from a special lamp. You may first take a medicine called psoralen, which makes your skin more sensitive to the light. Psoralen can be taken by mouth (orally), or it can be added to your bath water.
This type of treatment is sometimes called PUVA (psoralen and UVA light).
Phototherapy may increase the risk of skin cancer because of the extra exposure to UVA rays. The risk of skin cancer is lower with UVB light. Your dermatologist should discuss the risk with you before you decide to have phototherapy.
Sunlamps that you can buy to use at home for light therapy aren't recommended. They're not as effective as the phototherapy you'll receive in hospital. The lamps are also not regulated, so may not be safe.
