Keywords: vitiligo treatment in Songdo, vitiligo, melanocytes, excimer laser, phototherapy |
At Songdo Human Dermatology, we often see patients who come in worried after noticing white patches on their skin. Understanding what causes vitiligo and how it usually progresses takes away a lot of that uncertainty.
Why Does Vitiligo Happen?
Vitiligo is an acquired condition in which melanocytes (the cells that make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color) disappear, leaving sharply demarcated, milky-white patches. No single cause explains it. A genetic predisposition, autoimmunity (immune cells attacking the body's own melanocytes), and cellular stress are thought to act together. Research points to CD8+ T cells, a type of immune cell, as the main drivers of that attack. Vitiligo is not contagious. Because some people with vitiligo also develop conditions such as autoimmune thyroid disease, we may recommend testing for those as well.
Where and How Does It Appear?
Patches can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, hands, and feet, and new patches sometimes form where the skin was injured or rubbed, a response called the Koebner phenomenon. Hair growing inside a patch can lose its color too (leukotrichia). Other conditions, such as tinea versicolor (a common fungal infection), can cause similar-looking white patches, so we tell them apart with a clinical exam and, when it helps, a Wood's lamp (a special ultraviolet light).
How Do We Treat It?
The goal of treatment is repigmentation, bringing back the lost color. Topical options include corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors (such as tacrolimus, an ointment that calms the immune response). When the patches are widespread or not responding well to topical treatment, we add phototherapy. In particular, narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) and the 308 nm excimer laser are used as first-line treatment for localized vitiligo. Excimer laser sessions are typically scheduled two to three times a week, and repigmentation generally builds over a series of treatments. The face, neck, and trunk tend to respond relatively well, while the hands and feet respond more slowly. Because long-term use of calcineurin inhibitors requires caution, every treatment is decided by a dermatologist during your visit.
Good to Know
Vitiligo responds better in areas that still have normally pigmented hair. Conversely, some areas, such as the lips and fingertips, are slower to respond. Treatment that starts earlier and stays consistent tends to work better, so if the patches are spreading, it is worth being seen sooner rather than later. Skin that has lost its pigment burns easily, so daily sunscreen and sun-protective clothing matter, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is vitiligo contagious?
A. No. Vitiligo is not an infection; it is an immune-related condition. That said, some patients also develop conditions such as autoimmune thyroid disease, so we may recommend testing for those as well.
Q. Will my skin return completely to its original color?
A. Results vary from person to person and from one area of the body to another. Areas that still have normally pigmented hair respond better, while areas such as the lips and fingertips are slower to respond. Earlier, more consistent treatment tends to bring better results.
Q. Can I just leave it alone?
A. Vitiligo can spread over time, and other autoimmune conditions sometimes occur alongside it. It is worth having the patches evaluated to rule out conditions that look similar and to plan care going forward.
If you have noticed white patches on your skin, schedule a consultation at our Songdo clinic so we can rule out other conditions. From there, we can tailor a treatment plan to the location and extent of the patches.
This content is general information about the vitiligo treatments provided at Songdo Human Dermatology. Diagnosis and treatment are determined during an in-person examination, based on each patient's individual condition.
