Vitiligo

Vitiligo deactivates pigment-producing cells in your skin, causing white patches of skin and hair to spread in local areas or across your body. At Sapphire Dermatology in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Reston, Virginia, board-certified dermatologists Kunal Angra, MD, and Divya Angra, MD, and the team specialize in managing vitiligo to restore lost skin color. Call Sapphire Dermatology or schedule an appointment online for vitiligo care today.

What causes vitiligo?

Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin condition, which means it stems from a defect in your immune system. Your immune system serves the purpose of protecting you from diseases, but sometimes it’s either overactive or underactive. An overactive immune system results in an autoimmune condition and attacks your body’s healthy cells or tissues. 

If you have vitiligo, your immune system damages or inactivates the cells within your skin that produce pigment. As a result, you get patches of light or white skin and hair. It usually starts with a few small patches but can progress to cover most of your skin. 

The severity of vitiligo varies from person to person, with some people only getting a few small patches of lightened skin. The team at Sapphire Dermatology examines you and determines the best course of treatment based on your type and severity. 

Which type of vitiligo do I have?

There are several types of vitiligo with varying degrees of pigment loss. The Sapphire Dermatology team diagnoses and treats:

Non-segmental vitiligo

Non-segmental vitiligo is the most prevalent type. It causes patches of pigment loss on both sides of your body. 

Segmental vitiligo

Segmental vitiligo causes rapid pigment loss on just one side of your body. It stabilizes after 6-12 months, and after that, you don’t see any more pigment loss. 

Mixed type vitiligo

Mixed type vitiligo is rare and starts as segmental vitiligo. The pigment loss continues after the initial loss of color on one side. 

The Sapphire Dermatology team examines your skin to see the extent and location of your vitiligo patches. 

What are my treatment options for vitiligo?

Vitiligo doesn’t have a cure, but treatment can restore some of the skin pigmentations the condition causes you to lose. With treatment, you can experience improvements in your physical and emotional well-being. 

Some common treatments for vitiligo are:

• Topical corticosteroids
• Topical calcineurin inhibitors
• Phototherapy

Sapphire Dermatology offers telehealth services, which means you can follow up after treatment with convenient remote visits using your phone, tablet, or computer if an office visit isn’t feasible. 

Call Sapphire Dermatology or schedule an appointment online at either office for individualized vitiligo care today.