Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder causing patches of skin to lose their pigment due to melanocytes (pigment-making cells) being attacked and destroyed.
What is it?
A long-term condition causing patches of skin to become a pale white color due to a lack of melanin - the pigment in the skin. Simply put, your skin loses its natural color and develops white areas called “macules” or patches. Macules are less than five millimeters in size, and patches are five millimeters or larger. Some people with vitiligo report their hair turning white in their impacted areas. Vitiligo primarily begins in people in their 20s and starts to appear on the face, arms, hands or feet. Conditions typically progress over time, with even more areas of the skin losing pigmentation. People of all skin colors can develop vitiligo. Lighter patches of skin tend to be more noticeable on darker skin tones or tanned skin
How is it treated?
To meet your goals, the team at Associated Dermatologists will prescribe a plan specific to your age, overall health, type of vitiligo, location on your body and how the condition is progressing.