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?
Vitiligo is a chronic condition that leads to discoloration of the skin, transforming it into a lighter shade due to the absence of melanin - the color pigment in the skin. Essentially, your skin loses its normal color and forms white spots known as macules or patches. Macules are smaller than five millimeters, while patches are five millimeters or larger. Some individuals with vitiligo have noticed their hair turning white in the affected zones. Vitiligo typically manifests in individuals in their 20s and tends to first appear on the face, arms, hands, or feet. The condition usually advances over time, with additional skin areas progressively losing pigmentation. Vitiligo can affect individuals of all skin colors. However, the lighter skin patches are more distinct on darker or tanned skin tones.
At Dermatology Partners, we diagnose and provide treatment for vitiligo, whether it's in small, localized spots or more widespread, affecting multiple areas of the body. Our board-certified dermatologists, serving communities in Avon, Sandusky, Broadview Heights, Medina, Port Clinton, and Strongsville, Ohio, have achieved successful results in restoring skin color for numerous patients with the right treatment approaches.
How is it treated?
In order to improve skin color conditions, our team of skin health experts will tailor a strategy based on your age, overall health, type of vitiligo, its location on your body, and how the condition is progressing.
Your treatment could involve medications and topical creams like corticosteroids, as well as light therapy, to manage skin discoloration. But our treatment options do not stop there. Pigmentation therapy, laser therapy, skin graft surgery, cell transplant surgery, and camouflage therapy are also among the treatments we can provide.
It's crucial to understand that effective vitiligo treatments take time and some individuals may require more intensive treatment to see improvements. Contact our medical practice to schedule an appointment in Avon, Sandusky, Broadview Heights, Medina, Port Clinton, or Strongsville, Ohio and start your journey towards reclaiming your skin's natural color.