Vitiligo
Last reviewed
Vitiligo is a chronic auto-immune condition where melanocytes (skin-pigment cells) are destroyed, producing well-defined white patches anywhere on the body. It is not contagious and not infectious. Treatment options — topical steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, narrowband UVB phototherapy, excimer laser and surgical re-pigmentation — work best when started early.
Vitiligo affects roughly 1% of people worldwide and is more visible on Indian skin because of the colour contrast between affected and unaffected areas. It is not painful and it is not contagious — but the social and emotional impact in Indian families is often significant, which is part of what makes early, sensitive treatment matter.
There are real treatments and they work for many patients. The single most important factor is starting early, before patches are too established. With the right plan, re-pigmentation is achievable across most body sites — especially the face and trunk.
How vitiligo shows up
- Well-defined milky-white patches with no scaling or itching
- Often appears first around eyes, mouth, hands, feet (acrofacial pattern)
- Premature greying of hair in affected patches
- May follow a single nerve segment (segmental vitiligo) or spread on both sides of the body (generalised)
- Common at sites of trauma — Koebner phenomenon
- Periods of stability alternating with active spread
- Occasionally associated with thyroid disease or other auto-immune conditions
What contributes to vitiligo
- Auto-immune destruction of melanocytes — the dominant mechanism
- Genetic susceptibility (family history in roughly 20–30% of cases)
- Triggers: severe sunburn, skin injury, illness, emotional stress
- Association with other auto-immune conditions (thyroid, type 1 diabetes, Addison's)
- Oxidative stress affecting melanocyte survival
When to see a dermatologist
See a dermatologist as soon as you notice a developing white patch — even one. Vitiligo is most responsive to treatment in its early stages, and the difference between an active and a stable patch matters for what works. Bloodwork for thyroid function is part of the first visit.
How vitiligo is treated at SkinWise
Treatment depends on type (segmental vs generalised), site (face responds best, fingers and lips slowest) and how active the disease is. Options include topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, narrowband UVB phototherapy (the workhorse for widespread disease), excimer laser for limited patches, and surgical re-pigmentation (mini-grafts, melanocyte transfer) for stable disease that hasn't responded to medical therapy. Newer JAK inhibitors are showing real results in selected patients.
Services that treat vitiligo
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Frequently asked questions
Is vitiligo contagious or infectious?
No. Vitiligo is an auto-immune condition; you cannot catch it from someone else or pass it through touch, shared utensils or any other contact. This is the most important first thing to understand for the patient and the family.
Can vitiligo be cured?
Vitiligo can often be re-pigmented but not 'cured' in the sense of preventing future patches. With early treatment and stabilisation, many patients achieve significant cosmetic recovery, especially on the face and trunk. Maintenance is usually needed long-term to hold the result.
Will it spread?
Some forms of vitiligo are stable for years; others spread in active episodes. Bloodwork plus a structured monitoring plan tells us which pattern you have, and treatment is matched accordingly.
Is surgery an option?
Yes for stable vitiligo that hasn't responded to medical and phototherapy treatment for at least 12 months. Mini-grafting and melanocyte transfer can re-pigment areas that won't respond to other approaches, though results vary by body site.
Ready to start with a consult?
A focused 15-minute first consultation is where we slow down, map your concern and build the smallest plan that will actually move the needle. No oversell, no fixed menu.