Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary disorder characterized by loss of melanocytes from the epidermis, the mucous membranes, and other tissues. Vitiligo affects primarily melanocytes in the interfollicular epidermis, and to a lesser degree the melanocytes in the hair bulb. It is thought to be medicated by immunological process.

When to suspect Vitiligo?

One should suspect Vitiligo when sharp areas of Depigmentation, usually pinkish in the beginning appear any where on the body, face or limbs, mouth or genital tract. Many times it is bilateraliy symmetrical in nature. Occasionally it is localized to certain extent.

Is it genetically transmitted disease?

Yes, the disease is seen in more than one generation of the families.

What is Leucoderma?

When the white patches are secondary to specific trauma, burn, application of medication or when the reason for skin to become white is known it is termed as LEUCODERMA. It is never genetically transmitted.

What are the other causes of white patches over the skin?

Cutaneous Disorders with Depigmentation or Hypopigmentation are Piebaldism ,Lupus erythematosus ,Tinea versicolor ,Pityriasis alba , Lichen sclerosus et trophicus, Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Sarcoidosis ,Scleroderma ,Nevus anemicus, Postinflammatory hypopigmentation ,Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis ,Pityriasis lichenoides chronica Chédiak-Higashi syndrome, Tuberous sclerosis , Hypomelanosis of Ito, Nevus epigmentosus ,White fibrous papulosis of the neck etc are few common disease that mimics Vitiligo.

Is it curable disease?

Yes, the pigment loss in Vitiligo is completely curable with proper and regular treatment. LASERS and Photo-therapy has very major role to play in treatment. 

What are the treatments available for Vitiligo? 

Psoralens, Corticosteroids, Bauchi oil etc are the basic of the treatment of the Vitiligo. Weather it is ayurveda or Homeopathy or it is Allopath these are the main drugs used so far for the treatment. Other supportive treatments like   PUVA or Narrow band UVB that can give very good results for some patients, but now with the help of LASERS you can achieve very fast regimentation.

How does Laser work in Vitiligo?

Lasers stimulate deep melanin by blocking the lymphocytic pathway .It also reverses the inflammatory proliferations in the deeper layers of the skin.

Does it work on all the types of white patches?

Lasers work on all the types of white patches except the albinism.

Do lasers work on Resistant Vitiligo?

Yes lasers are one of the best non surgical treatments to treat the resistant vitiligo.

How is the treatment performing?

The treatment is non ablative. The lesion is lased with the Laser delivery hand piece at specific energies. Immediately after the treatment patient can join his daily activity. It has no down time or hospitalization required.

What is the post operative medication required?

You don’t require any kind of post operative medications, rather they are contraindicated.

How many treatments are required?

Depending upon the extent of the disease, 5 to 30 treatments may be required.

What is the desired interval between 2 treatments?

The interval between two treatments varies from case to case, but it can be any thing between 2 days to 30 days. Some sties they respond very fast where as others they respond slowly.

Does it cause any side or adverse effect?

No, no side effects are produced with the disease. IT is always very safe laser and maximum it can cause sun burn like effect or exaggerated redness or blister formation that requires few hours or days to disappear and it may disappear with regimentation.

What are the chances of recurrences?

Though yet none of the treatment modalities can stop occurrence of vitiligo lasers are one of the most effective and sturdy. This recent generation of excimer lasers gives very effective control and almost like permanent one. Very few patients require some touch ups in the future may be once in 3 to 4 years. The recurrences are not aggressive until and unless it is produced by some oral medications or secondary changes in the body. The patient will not require even any topical applications in between.

Can it be done on child or pregnant women?

One can perform treatment on child above 4 years of age and even pregnant women as Laser is not teratogenic like retinoid, but the inconvenience caused to the patient and the rest advised to the patients during the pregnancy should be considered.

What are the advantages over the Medications and Phototherapy?

Usual medications used in psoriasis are either Steroids or  Psoralen .Steroids are one of the silent poison and when given in larger and continuous dosages creates very hazardous effect on all the systems of the body .  Psoralen can lead to premature cataract, Headaches nausea and vamiting. The wavelength of the PUVA or N-UVB is never that pure and it is also available in the environment so there are more impurities. Psoralen is given before the treatment. Lasers directly stimulate the Deep melanin production that is not possible with the Phototherapy. Phototherapy requires 120 to 150 treatments where as here treatments are 15 to 30.