21
Jul 23
0

Is Laser Treatment Effective for Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes pale white or light coloured patches to develop on the skin. This condition can affect anyone at any age irrespective of their gender, ethnicity and location. Vitiligo can affect any area of the body and is most common in face, neck, hands, back and the areas with creases. There is no one trusted cure for vitiligo but laser treatment among the many treatment options for vitiligoin Mumbai has emerged as an effective treatment to even out the skin tone of the patient and restore the lost colour.

What is vitiligo?

The autoimmune system of the body is supposed to recognized the foreign bodies and fight their invasion. But when this autoimmune system starts seeing the melanocytes( pigments that give the body its colour) as a foreign object and starts attacking them, the skin become discoloured and patches form on the surface.

There is still a mystery about what causes vitiligo. The most common theories about the causes of vitiligo include genetics (20%), autoimmune response, oxidate stress and environmental factors such as emotional upheaval, sun burn, chemical exposure. Many people suffering from the depressing skin condition also suffer from one or more autoimmune conditions such as hypothyroidism, alopecia areata, IBD and rheumatoid arthritis. People suffering from vitiligo are also at a high risk of other autoimmune conditions such as Addison’s disease.

The most common and the only symptom of vitiligo is a pale patch on the skin. it starts as a light coloured flat spots on the skin (mostly on the areas that are more exposed to sun). the spots become white and increase in size. Sometimes the edges of the spots can become red and cause itchiness. These patches do not have a defined shape or size.

Types of vitiligo

In some the vitiligo patches are small and do not spread but in others they can spread to large white patches that eventually join together and cover a large area of skin. The different types of vitiligo are

Non segmental vitiligo

In this type of skin condition, the white patches are symmetrical at fist and they spread slowly if the condition is visible in only one body area. This is the most common type of vitiligo. The patches are symmetrical and on both sides of the body. The patches appear on arms, eyes, back of the hands, knees, elbows, feet, mouth, armpit, nose, naval, genitals and groin area. this type of vitiligo is further classified into sub categories such as generals, acrofacial, mucosal, universal and focal depending on the location, size and intensity of the vitiligo.

Segmental vitiligo

This is a more intense kind of vitiligo and spreads fast. It is stable but less common and contains itself to one body area. Segmental vitiligo can be treated with topical treatments since it usually accepts the areas of the skin that has nerves attached to it.

Laser treatment for Vitiligo

Vitiligo treatment in Mumbai using lasers has emerged as top preference by doctors and patients alike because it is non-surgical, not painful and has show quite effective results as compared to other treatment options. Also, vitiligo surgery cost in India is much more than vitiligo laser treatment cost in India and hence lasers remain the preferred option by most people. Lasers work by restoring the lost colour on the skin and impair the autoimmune disorder to from causing more skin depigmentation.

Lasers are an effective treatment option because it can target a diversity of signs of vitiligo. Different types of laser treatments along with a treatment course are used depending on the skin type of the patient and the condition of vitiligo. Among the types of lasers Excimer lasers and Narrow band ultraviolet B lasers are the most popular ones.

Excimeror XTRAC lasers

This is the most common vitiligo treatment in Mumbai is the excimer lasers. This laser has proven effective in about 70% of the people who were treated with this with greater than 75% regimentation. This laser was first used for vitiligo treatment in the year 2001 and was FDA approved for treatment in 2007. The laser is a mono therapy laser and it emits a wavelength of 308nm.

This UVB laser treatment is often combined with other topical inhibitors to get even hyperpigmentation.
The photobiological effects of the Excimer laser do not affect the normal skin and only work on the depigmented lesions selectively
This laser can be used on large and delicate areas of the skin safely such as ears and genitals.
Excimer lasers are even effective on people who have not responded to topical creams or lotions.
The best response of the laser is seen on face and lowest on hands and feet.
XTRAC lasers can be used on children safely

To see the results, the patient needs a minimum of 20 excimer laser treatment sessions about 2-3 times per week. The downside to this laser is that the results can minimize or disappear in patients who stop the treatment before one year is over.

How does excimer laser work?

Though it is still under study, the scientists stand up the efficacy of excimer laser for vitiligo treatment in Mumbai. The laser works by enhancing the immune response and improve the production of more melanin producing melanocytes and their spread. This makes this laser the most effective in treatment of non-segmental vitiligo. It also helps with the cell death of T cells.

Treatment and Results

The treatment is done is in one, two or three times a weekly sessions in the doctor’s office. This is an outpatient procedure and each session lasts for about one hour. The pigmentation starts from the hair follicles. The re-pigmentation is more rapid with more frequent treatments and three sessions per week treatment.

The dermatologist uses the laser wand to move over the affected skin areas. There is no pain or discomfort during the procedure.

Side effects of Excimer laser for vitiligo treatment in Mumbai

Some erythema
Hyperpigmentation or darkening of skin
Minor skin lesions.

Vitiligo laser treatment cost in Indiausing Excimer lasers is more cost effective than the surgical options. Ablative lasers are the preferred mode of treatment because they have less chances of scaring. Er:YAG lasers are using for site preparation for vitiligo laser treatments because there are less chances of burns, scaring and dyspigmentation. Other lasers used for vitiligo treatment in Mumbai are

Fractional CO2 lasers
Erb:YAG lasers to improve the repigmentation.
Q-switched lasers for depigmentation of the skin but it is a temporary solution
Ti: Sapphire lasers: these are sometimes used as an alternative to Excimer lasers.

Different types of lasers do different things for vitiligo treatment. For example, Fractional CO2 lasers can also reduce the size of the vitiligo lesions, whereas ablative lasers can be used to prepare the skin site for surgical grafting and to give a more even look to the skin depigmentation using Q‐switched lasers is the best option. Each type of laser has its benefits and risks and should be individually chosen based on location, extent, activity and type of vitiligo and the paying capacity of the patient.

Who can get a laser treatment for vitiligo

Any person who is suffering from vitiligo is wants a treatment can opt for phototherapy and laser treatments. The lasers work on all skin tones and people with all ages. The dermatologist will decide on which laser will suit which type of vitiligo.

Vitiligo laser treatment cost

The cost of vitiligo laser treatment in India can vary depending on several factors, such as the number of sessions required, the size of the affected area, the clinic or hospital you choose, and the city you are in. On average, the cost of a single session of vitiligo laser treatment can range from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 or more.

There are different surgical procedures available for vitiligo, such as punch grafting, split-thickness skin grafting, and blister grafting. The cost of vitiligo surgery can depend on factors like the technique used, the size and location of the affected area, the surgeon’s expertise, the hospital or clinic, and the city you are in. The approximate cost of vitiligo surgery in India can range from ₹20,000 to ₹1,00,000 or more.

05
Jul 23
0

8 Differences between Vitiligo and Leucoderma

Vitiligo and Leucoderma are often used interchangeably. They are both conditions that cause white patches appear on skin. it is difficult to distinguish between the two as they have similar symptoms.

What causes the light patches?

The reason is the pigment producing cells known as melanocytes. The quality and quantity of the cells dictate the colour of the skin. when melanocytes produce extra pigment, the colour is dark and vice a versa. When the normal skin starts to become paler than normal in big or small patches it is because of the lack or absence of pigmentation by the melanocytes.

Both Vitiligo and Leucoderma are non-contagious diseases in which pale patches appear on the skin but there is no oozing or pus formation. The skin conditions can effect all races and age groups and are more visible in people with darker skin. people with vitiligo and leukoderma are born with normal skin and the depigmentation happens later in life. Vitiligo and Leucoderma patches become more noticeable during summers. But this is where the similarity of the two ends.

For the correct diagnosis and vitiligo and leukoderma treatment in Mumbai, it is important that one understands the difference between the two. Here are some common differences between the two

Definition:

Vitiligo:

Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder characterized by the loss of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in certain areas of the skin, resulting in white patches or depigmentation.

Leucoderma:

Leucoderma, on the other hand, is a broader term used to describe any condition that leads to the loss of skin pigmentation. It can include vitiligo as well as other forms of depigmentation disorders.

What Causes this:

Vitiligo:

The exact cause of vitiligo is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, autoimmune, and environmental factors. Autoimmune factors are thought to play a role in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the melanocytes. Apart from these autoimmune diseases such as hyperthyroidism, alopecia areas and pernicious anaemia might also cause vitiligo. Emotional trauma, recurrent jaundice or typhoid fever, corticosteroid treatment, and prolonged antibiotic treatments have also been known to trigger vitiligo in a person.

Leucoderma:

Leucoderma, as a term, does not specify a particular cause. It can be used to describe any condition where there is loss of skin pigmentation due to various causes, including vitiligo, chemical exposure, burns, trauma, or even certain infections. by congenital abnormalities like Tuberous sclerosis, Partial albinism, Piebaldism, and Waardenburg syndrome may also cause leukoderma. There is a belief that undue stress can also trigger instances of leukoderma.

Presentation:

Vitiligo: Vitiligo typically presents as milky-white patches on the skin, which may be localized or spread over larger areas. The patches may be symmetrical and commonly appear on the face, hands, feet, elbows, knees, and genital area. Hair and mucous membranes can also be affected in some cases. Vitiligo is more prominent on the areas of skin that are exposed to the sun such as the hands, face and legs. It is noticed on both sides of body the as the melanocytes die over a period of time.

Leucoderma: Leucoderma, as a general term, can encompass various patterns of depigmentation. It may include localized or generalized white patches, streaks, or spots on the skin. The appearance and distribution may vary depending on the underlying cause. The patches often start in the form of a scratch or a small cut and then manifest into a white patch. When it is because of an allergy the complete loss of pigmentation melanocyte the leukoderma causes gradual development of white patch.

Difference by Colour:

Vitiligo: the vitiligo patches can be pale white, pink, copper or dull coloured and they turn white over time with sharp margins.

Leukoderma: On the other hand, in this condition the patches are always white in colour and spread from the nucleus of the cut or the scar. The white patches also appear closely bonded with the skin as compared to the vitiligo patches.

Difference by Types:

Vitiligo: There are mainly two types of vitiligo, segmental and non-segmental. The non-segmental vitiligo is the most popular one and in this the disease affects both side of body and the patches expand over time. In segmented vitiligo there is no expansion and the patch size usually remains the same. The treatment for both types is determined by correct diagnosis.

Leucoderma: This condition covers many different types of pigment disorders such as

Post-inflammatory Hypopigmentation: This type of leukoderma occurs as a result of inflammation or injury to the skin. It can develop after various skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, burns, or trauma. The inflammation or trauma disrupts the melanocytes, leading to the loss of pigmentation in the affected area.
Chemical Leucoderma: Chemical leukoderma refers to depigmentation caused by exposure to certain chemicals or substances. It can occur when the skin comes into contact with chemicals like certain dyes, cosmetics, hair products, or industrial chemicals. The chemicals can damage the melanocytes, resulting in localized or widespread depigmentation.
Halo Nevus: A halo nevus, also known as Sutton’s nevus, is a type of mole surrounded by a depigmented halo. It typically appears as a dark pigmented mole with a white ring around it. The cause of halo nevus is not well understood, but it is thought to involve an immune response that leads to the destruction of melanocytes around the mole.
Piebaldism: Piebaldism is a rare genetic condition that presents with a congenital absence of pigment in certain areas of the skin and hair. It is characterized by large white patches of depigmentation, typically on the forehead, chest, abdomen, and extremities. Piebaldism is caused by mutations in certain genes involved in melanocyte development and migration.
Nevus Depigmentosus: Nevus depigmentosus is a type of leukoderma characterized by a stable, well-defined depigmented patch of skin present at birth. It is not associated with inflammation or itching and remains unchanged over time. The exact cause of nevus depigmentosus is unknown, but it is believed to be a localized defect in the development of melanocytes.

Progression:

Vitiligo: Vitiligo can be progressive, meaning that the depigmented patches may spread over time, enlarging and joining together. However, the rate and extent of progression can vary among individuals. Some may experience a slow progression, while others may have a more rapid spread of the condition.

Leucoderma: The progression of leukoderma depends on the underlying cause. In cases where the cause is not progressive, the depigmentation may remain stable or may improve with treatment. However, if the underlying cause is progressive or ongoing, such as autoimmune conditions or chronic inflammation, the depigmentation may continue to spread.

Associated Conditions:

Vitiligo: Individuals with vitiligo may have a higher risk of developing other autoimmune conditions, such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and pernicious anaemia. There is also an increased risk of developing certain skin conditions like alopecia areata (patchy hair loss) and halo nevi (white rings around moles).

Leucoderma: Since leukoderma is a general term, the associated conditions will depend on the underlying cause. For example, leukoderma resulting from burns or trauma may have distinct associated symptoms or complications compared to vitiligo-related depigmentation.

Treatment:

Vitiligo: The treatment of vitiligo aims to repigment the affected areas or even out the skin tone. Treatment options may include topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, topical psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy, narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy, excimer laser. In cases of stable vitiligo (where the depigmentation has stopped spreading), surgical interventions may be considered. These include procedures like autologous skin grafts, punch grafts, blister grafting, and micropigmentation (tattooing) to transfer pigment to the depigmented areas. Surgical treatments are generally recommended for smaller, well-defined areas of vitiligo.

Leucoderma: The leukoderma treatment in Mumbai depends on the stages of depigmentation, the age of the patient and the patient’s preferences. The common treatment options include corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, Topical Psoralen Plus Ultraviolet A (PUVA) Therapy, Narrowband Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) Therapy, excimer laser, depigmentation, and cosmetic camouflage. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, protecting the skin from excessive sun exposure, and managing stress can also contribute to the overall management of leukoderma.

Both conditions can affect males and females of any age. Treatment at an early stage is more effective than when both conditions are wide spread.

03
May 23
0

UNDERSTANDING PSORIASIS: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO TREAT IT

Tags : Autoimmune diseases Dermatology Health implications Psoriasis Skin care Treatment options Vitiligo

UNDERSTANDING PSORIASIS: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO TREAT IT

Our autoimmune system is one of the important components of our wellbeing. It plays an important role in keeping our immunity strong and hence the skin and organs healthy and protected. When it starts to behave in an erratic way, the human body suffers. Psoriasis and Vitiligo are two of the main issues that show up the skin when the auto immune system starts to malfunction.

While vitiligo appears in painless white patches, psoriasis is a condition that causes painful, itch, fish scales like silvery scales on the body. Psoriasis can sometimes affect full body or can remain contained and keep recurring in one area of the body. This autoimmune condition can trigger anytime and is not limed by age, sex, or ethnicity of the person. In psoriasis the skin becomes thick, inflamed and red and the person feels an urge to itch at all times. Unfortunately there is no single or a permanent cure to psoriasis, it is easy to manage the symptoms with careful and monitored treatments.

What causes psoriasis?

Psoriasis is one of the main causes of social embarrassment in many people. It affects about 3 % of the world population and still there is no single treatment line or medication for it that give guaranteed relief.

Research has shown that the cause of psoriasis lies inside the immune system. Our blood contains T cells (a type of white blood cells) whose main function is to activate and protect the body from outside infections and virus attacks. Because of some unknown triggers the T cells sometimes become active even when there is no foreign body attack and start producing cytokines. This sets of a chain of other immune responses that cause the skin cells to proliferate at a rate much faster than the normal. The immune system things of the healthy skin cells as foreign bodies and starts destroying them. The result is that dead skin cells start to accumulate on the surface along with inflammation or swelling. and new cells keep forming (keratinocytes). In a normal human body, it takes 30 days for new skin cells to form whereas in people suffering from psoriasis this cycles is shortened to just 3-4 days. This causes formation of dry, flaky slivery scales and plaques on various parts of the body such as elbow, knees, scalp ears, nails, feet, hands, lips and eyelids.

The scales usually start as small red patches that are often mistaken as an allergy or injury but they can become bigger and itchier. There are many different kinds of psoriasis and it can happen in different parts of body. the correct treatment plan begins with correctly identifying the type of psoriasis, party of body it affects and the severity of it.

Types of psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis: this is the most common type of skin condition and affects about 80-90% of people. This causes raises red patches on the skin. that can be itchy or painful sometimes.
Inverse psoriasis which mainly affects the skin folds and causes shiny and discoloured scratches to appear on different parts of body such as armpits, groin, and other skin folds. They can even be red, purple or brown in colour.
Guttate psoriasis appears like small spots on the skin and is often seen after a throat infection. The spots are drop shaped and can be pink, red or purple in colour.
Pustular psoriasis looks like pus filled blisters on the skin sitting on top of the red plaques. It usually affects palms and soles.
Erythrodermic psoriasis usually affects large areas of skin and is a severe form of this skin diseases. Skin shedding is widespread in it appears as if sheets of skin are peeling. It causes discoloration of the skin and is often trigged by sunburn, infection and not taking psoriasis treatments.
Sebopsoriasis affects face and scalp the most and the scales appear like dandruff and are greasy and yellow scales.
Nail psoriasis has symptoms like pitting of nails and changes in the structure of fingernails and toenails.

Why is psoriasis treatment necessary?

For most people, skin care and dermatologist visits are often the last priority and they try to treat this skin condition with home remedies such as using moisturizing creams and gels. However, when not treated in time the flaky, slivery scales of psoriasis can have severe health implications such as

Pain and inflammation joints that makes it difficult for a person to walk or do daily activities normal. This is termed as psoriasis arthritis.
Inflammatory diseases in other organs of body
Heat diseases and hypertension
Diabetes
Lupus
Weight gain and obesity
Irritable bowel syndrome
Septicaemia
Heart failure
Eyes disorders and conjunctivitis
Complications in normal pregnancy
PCOS
Pneumonia

Suicidal tendencies, depression, shame and mental trauma are some of the common psychological damages of psoriasis. These challenges can be long lasting. The age group of 15-35 is most commonly affected by this condition. Psoriasis can be genetic too and biological parents can pass this condition down to their children. The good news is that it is not contagious i.e., does not spread on contact. The main roadblocks in time treatment of psoriasis are lack of awareness, and education among people. Ignorance in seeking the correct diagnosis can make psoriasis a life long suffering for those effected.

Treatment options for psoriasis

The quest for finding the permanent treatment for psoriasis dates back to the 1800s. The right doctor to treatment psoriasis is an experience dermatologist. The effects of this condition are more than skin deep. Apart from genetics, environmental factors are also seen as primary causes of psoriasis. Simple treatments go a long way in making its management easier and bringing the much needed relief to the patient.

There is no known pattern of psoriasis, it can improve or become worse at any time. Some people do not see any flare of psoriasis for years and then suddenly see a flare up. One needs to be on a constant watch with psoriasis and work closely with the dermatologist to work out a skin care routine that works well. Psoriasis can show up on elbows, knees, scalp, genitals, lower back, palms and feet, fingernails and toenails and insides of the mouth. You need to talk to your doctor if you notice:

Raised and scaly skin plaques
Dry skin with cracks on surface that bleed
Burning, itching, and soreness sensations on the affected kin
Random discoloured patches
Swelling and pain in joints
Cracked, pitted and weak nails.

Psoriasis treatment plan

The treatment for psoriasis includes both lifestyle changes and professional treatments. Here is how you can use the modern treatments and modify your lifestyle to manage psoriasis symptoms and ease the discomfort.

Understand the symptoms: Shiny, small, slivery scales on the skin are the most common symptom of psoriasis. They are often accompanied by dryness, cracks, itching, rashes on the skin. The symptoms come and go and therefore keep a close watch on the skin and consult the doctor immediately on noticing any symptoms.
Know the triggers: Psoriasis can be triggered by many things such as obesity, stress, cold weather, changes in the environment, pollutants etc. These triggers are different for everybody. Understand what triggers skin changes in your body and learn to manage them.
Treatment options: Doctors use a combination of various treatments and therapies to reduce the symptoms and appearance of psoriasis. These include
- Topical or over the counter medications: these include creams, lotions, foams etc. that are applied directly on the affected areas of the skin. they are the first line of treatment and used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis. They contain various options are corticosteroids, emollients, coal tar, retinoids etc that slow down the effect of immune cells on the skin. They should only be used as directed. Oral retinoids are used to reduce cell grown is used to treat pustular psoriasis.
- Biologics: These are the new age treatments that are made from the living materials. These drugs are immune therapy medications and alter the immune system. They also bring down skin inflammations. Biologics are suitable for treatment of moderate to serious arthritis. The most commonly used biologics are Adalimumab, Bimekizumab, Brodalumab, Tofacitinib (oral), Ustekinumab etc.
- Dithranol: This is the oldest known treatment for treating plaque psoriasis. This medicine is applied on the skin and reduces the production of new skin cells. Using a very concentrated form of this cream can cause burns on the skin and hence it should be used under supervision.
- Coal tar ointment and shampoo: This age old treatment reduces itching and scaliness but can make the skin sensitive to sunlight and dryness.
- Phototherapy: Sitting in sun is an age old treatment for psoriasis. Phototherapy uses a combination of natural and artificial light to target the fast shedding skin cells and slow down the growth of the new cells. This treatment is only done in the doctor’s office as an outpatient procedure.

Follow the instructions of your dermatologist regarding right way to use the treatments. Do not try to over use tor underuse the treatments. It can cause skin damage and spread of the disease. You can also use some home treatments such as

Salt baths
Colloidal oatmeal
Application of aloe vera gel
Apple cider vinegar

Skin, hair and nail care in psoriasis

This is an important part of psoriasis treatment. Here are some simple tips to help you along

Don’t buy any product that claims to be the ‘cure’ of psoriasis
When choose skin and hair products choose those which are alcohol free, hypoallergenic. Look for ingredients like ceramides, lipids, hyaluronic acids since these help in keeping the skin moisturized and reduce the scaling and salicylic acid that helps by reducing flaking. Also include retinoids in your night skin care to reduce the dark spots caused because of psoriasis.
Gel based products are a no-no as they can aggravate the symptoms
UV light slow down the growth of skin cells and small healthy doses of sun are good for your skin. but avoid the peak sunlight hours and always use sunscreen.
Protect the skin from injury. Cuts, nicks and scrapes can cause skin irritation and increase the symptoms.
Don’t scratch your skin even when it is itching. Use the itch cream as directe4d
Avoid using hot and long showers as they strip the body of the essential moisture.
Don’t rub the skin with towel. Just pat dry
Prevent dry skin at all times. Apply a moisturizer immediately after shower, carry a bottle of moisturizer with you and use it every time the skin feels dry.
Use a soft bristle hair brush and brush gently, don’t press it against the scalp.
Limit hot treatments to the hair
Avoid colouring and perming during the psoriasis flares.
Keep your nails short
Wear gloves and mask when doing housework. If you have nail psoriasis then wear cotton gloves and latex gloves on top of them when doing housework.
Avoid irritating the cuticles
Don’t bite or chew your nails
Avoid nail treatments.
Wear soft fabrics that do not rub against the skin
Give up on smoking and drugs
Cut down on alcohol
Treat any skin injuries immediately
Take a diet rich in fish oil, vitamin D, seeds, nuts, turmeric, and omega 3- fatty acids .
Exercise daily to reduce the risk of chronic issues and keep the weight under control.

Psoriasis treatment cost

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder which can flare up anytime. There is no definite cost of the treatment because it is a lifelong process. The cost depends on the type of treatment and severity of the condition. Topical medications cost very less whereas treatments like the use of biologics can be high. Other hidden costs in psoriasis treatments comprise of consultation fees, diagnostic tests, follow up visits etc. To endure you get a treatment for psoriasis that is not only cost effective but also successful, discuss both aspects with your doctor and insurance provider.

30
Apr 23
0

WHAT IS VITILIGO LASER TREATMENT? UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS AND BENEFITS

Tags : Autoimmune disease Excimer laser Laser treatment Melanocytes Skin care Skin pigmentation Vitiligo

WHAT IS VITILIGO LASER TREATMENT? UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS AND BENEFITS

Vitiligo or Leucoderma is an auto immune disease that causes the skin to lose its natural colour. As a result, the skin appears white in patches. This condition can affect men, women and children and there is no known cause of it. The patches are formed because the disorders causes the melanocytes (pigment responsible for skin colour) to perish, leaving the skin with no pigment at all.

Vitiligo can affect any part of the body at any age. It can even be seen inside the mouth or on the scalp (changing the hair colour). White it is not a painful condition or itching or generally leads to any issues with physical functioning of the body, it can affect the mental health of the person greatly. People with vitiligo often feel self-conscious about the white patches and in some cultures it is also seen as a ‘curse’ causing a person to withdraw from the society. Vitiligo white patches are more visible in people with darker skin because of the stark contrast with the pigmented skin. The pale and discoloured patches of vitiligo can be seen most only face, neck, hands, and the skin folds.

What causes vitiligo?

The autoimmune cells in the body see the regular melanin producing cells as their ‘enemy’ and start killing the healthy pigment cells. One theory is that that it is possible that melanocytes self-destroy themselves and cause the skin to become pale. Vitiligo can happen any time up to the age of forty. Usually, it is small spot and that increases in time but there are no other symptoms. Scientists list many probable causes of vitiligo such as

Genetic disposition
Emotional distress or trauma
Sun exposure and sunburn
Addison disease
Vitamin B 12 deficiency
Anaemia
Thyroid (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism)
Type 1 diabetes
Alopecia areata

Treatment for Vitiligo

Treatment for vitiligo is a purely personal choice. It is mostly done for cosmetic reasons. Laser is the most popular treatment option for re-pigmenting the skin. Vitiligo has a lot of stigma attached to it and in the Indian subcontinent where dark skin is more prevalent, people suffering from vitiligo are often made fun off because their appearance. Vitiligo patients are often treated differently because

Lack of education and awareness about this un contagious skin condition
It is often seen the same way as leprosy
There is no known reason or a 100% cure for vitiligo
Of half of the people suffering from vitiligo most develop it by the age of 20 and in rest it develops before the age of 40
It is sometimes genetic and therefore most portions of the society feel it is cursed
There is no way of determining whether vitiligo will spread as the time passes

There is a lot of uncertainty in the minds of the vitiligo patients regarding their looks and vitiligo treatment. Vitiligo patches are often looked down upon as dirty and disfiguring. In some cases, society has even gone to the extent of relating the white patches to past life dues.

Types of vitiligo

Depending on the severity of the vitiligo and the extent of body area affected by it, vitiligo is classified as

Focal which affects only few area body and remains centred there.
Segmental which affects only one side of the body
Generalized vitiligo is characterized by loss of skin pigment all over the body and across the body in a symmetrical fashion
Occupational vitiligo is a rare form of the condition and is caused because of exposure to industrial chemicals for example those used to make rubber.

Traditional temporary treatment methods for vitiligo include camouflage using makeup, dyes and tanners, topical steroid medicine and permanent ones includes surgery to replace the vitiligo patches. But each of these treatment methods has its own drawbacks and limitations. lasers have emerged as a more successful treatment for vitiligo that restores colour to the discoloured skin.

Laser treatment for vitiligo works in two ways

If the patient has small patches of de pigmented skin then laser can be focused on the specific areas only.
On the other hand if the vitiligo is wide spread then a special light chamber is used to expose the whole body to laser beam.

Laser helps by evening out the skin tone but it is also not a cure for vitiligo. There are different kinds of lasers that can be used and it depends on the individual’s condition and skin type. The most commonly used laser for vitiligo treatment is the Excimer laser.

Excimer laser

Also known as the XTRAC, the Excimer laser has some particular characteristics such as

It uses UVB light for treatment
The wavelength is 308 nanometres
It is used to treat localized vitiligo
This type of laser has been successful for patients whose vitiligo has responded well to other topical treatment methods.
The laser does not expose the surround areas to radiation and treats only the affected patches.
It even reaches the places which are difficult to reach with other treatments such as phototherapy.
It is safe to use on children.
It has been effective for more than 70% of people. However, the results are only effective for about a year.
The results are visible a few months after the treatment.

The UVB light from the Excimer laser enhances the immune response of the body. This in turn triggers or stimulates the product of more melanocytes and the pale patches see a rise in melanin.

Laser is a painless procedure and each session takes only about half an hour to complete. Excimer laser is usually done in twice weekly session over a period of 4-6 months.

Side effects of Excimer laser

It can cause blisters on skin
It called reddening of the skin
Results in hyperpigmentation or darkening
Can cause skin lesions

The other lasers used for vitiligo treatment in Mumbai include

Helium neon lasers
Ti: Sapphire lasers
UVA 1 lasers
Fractional ablative lasers
Q switched lasers

Every laser works differently and is chosen according to the disease’s specific characteristic such as location, activity, type and extent. For example

Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers are considered safe and rapidly action and effective in depigmentation for most patients. It does not need any maintenance sessions. It is usually used in patients who have more than 80% depigmented areas or have an universal vitiligo (90% of depigmented area). This treatment is often used along with bleaching creams and sunscreen to give most effective results.
Fractional ablative lasers create tiny microscopic wounds on the skin of the affected areas and trigger the immune system response to the injuries. This stimulates melanocytes cells in to production and helps cover the vitiligo affected areas. These are also used to improve the results of NB-UVB treatments.
Fractional CO2 lasers cause the pale areas to contract and this can temporarily reduce the size of vitiligo patches
Ti: Sapphire lasers are often used as an alternative to the excimer lasers.

Who is laser treatment for vitiligo suitable for?

Lasers work for people with all age groups and skin tones.
Some lasers might not work for children and children with extensive vitiligo are treated using narrowband UVB wavelength.

Aftercare after laser vitiligo treatment

Lasers do not require hospitalization and there is no need to take time off from work or a break from regular life but you will still need to take care of your skin by

Avoiding sun and wearing sunscreen every time you are outdoors
Gently cleaning the area twice daily
Using the creams and lotions given by the dermatologist
Avoid using retinols and glycolic acids on the skin till the time the laser sessions are on
Keeping the treated area moisturized and regularly using lightening cream to maintain skin hydration and preventing changes in pigments.
Staying away from treatments like bleaching, hair colouring, straightening, perming and facials.
Avoiding tanning treatments etc for 4 weeks before the treatment.

Vitiligo laser treatment cost in India

The cost of vitiligo laser treatment in India depends on

The extent of vitiligo spread
The areas being treated
The number of sessions needed to get the desired results
The fees of the dermatologist
The clinic costs

Vitiligo surgery cost in India much higher than the laser treatments. Surgery is only done for patients who have a stable vitiligo and rest of the treatments have not worked. Vitiligo surgery needs enough pigmented areas on the skin to cover the pale and white patches of the skin. Talk to the clinic about insurance coverage and payment plans regarding the laser vitiligo treatment.

06
Apr 23
0

What can I do to prevent the spread of vitiligo?

Tags : leukoderma skin patches vitiligo treatment

Vitiligo, or losing skin color, is a disease with many stigmas attached. Millions of people around the world suffer from some form of vitiligo that causes significant disruptions in their everyday life. People suffering from this condition often feel underconfident and tend to withdraw from social life because of a feeling of not being ‘normal .’The fact is that with modern treatments and some simple home care, vitiligo can be easily managed.

What is vitiligo?

This condition causes white or light patches of skin to develop. There are generally no other symptoms except the physical one. This autoimmune condition is often linked to other autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, psoriasis, autoimmune thyroid disease, etc. The immune system attacks the body’s normal cells and destroys the melanocytes (melanin-producing cells). The areas where the skin cells are destroyed start to lose color and slowly turn white or pale with no definite shape or boundary. Vitiligo is often also observed on the areas of skin that have had minor injuries or sunburn. Studies have also shown that emotional stress or chemical exposure can trigger skin depigmentation.

There is no known cure for vitiligo, but it can be easily managed to restore pigment to depigmented skin. In addition, treatment management can help make vitiligo less visible and even prevent the patches from growing. Prevention and cure are done by protecting the immune system and skin.

The choice of vitiligo treatment in Mumbai depends on many factors such as the

The area of patches
The amount of skin and location of patches
How quickly the depigmentation is progressing
How does it affect the patient’s quality of life

However, the vital thing to remember is that treatment for depigmentation or leukoderma is very unpredictable. The results vary greatly depending on the person, and some side effects can occur. Vitiligo treatment is a constant procedure, and you must keep a close watch on the spreading patches on the skin.

How to prevent vitiligo from worsening or spreading?

Since it cannot be wholly cured or prevented, modern science has given us ways sand solutions to prevent it from worsening. This method’s two-pronged approach involves boosting your immune system from the inside and protecting the skin from the outside. This procedure can also reinstate the healthy melanocytes to prevent the patches from spreading.

Treatment options for vitiligo

Medications

These medications are used with light therapy to restore some color to the skin. The common drugs include

Corticosteroid creams control inflammation and return the skin color. However, it can be several months before you see any results, and side effects include skin thinning, dryness, and the appearance of new lines on the skin. Corticosteroids can also be used as pills and injections for people with rapidly spreading depigmentation.
Medications for the immune system commonly include tacrolimus (Protopic) or pimecrolimus (Elidel) creams. They are generally used in areas with small amounts of depigmentation.

Therapies

Light therapy is the most common form of treatment used to curtail active vitiligo progress. It is generally used with medications such as corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. Photochemotherapy can also be used alongside psoralen. This is called PUVA therapy. But the use of ultraviolet B light is more popular.

Light therapy is done in sessions 2-3 times per week and continues for several weeks. The type of light used is either ultraviolet B or excimer laser therapy. The results are not permanent, and most people see fading patches appear throughout one to four years post-treatment. The side effects of treatment include redness, itching, and burning on the skin, but they clear up a few works after treatment.

Depigmentation

This process involves removing the color from the rest of the unaffected skin; this way, the entire appearance is of one color. This therapy is recommended for people with a wide spread of vitiligo; the rest of the treatments have not worked. In this treatment, a depigmenting agent is applied to the pigmented areas of the skin. Regular use removes or lightens color from the skin and gives, and it blends with the vitiligo-affected area. Depigmentation cream needs to be applied at least twice daily and the results take a slow time of up to one to four years to make a difference. The side effects include dry skin, itching, swelling, and temporary redness of the skin. Depigmentation treatment creams need to be applied for a lifetime as discontinued use can cause the skin to develop pigment.

Surgery

Surgery for vitiligo treatment and management is suggested when light therapy and medications have failed to provide relief from vitiligo. This type of leucoderma treatment in Mumbai is done on patients suffering from a stable form of this condition. The surgical options for vitiligo treatment include

Skin grafting: In this leucoderma treatment in Mumbai, the surgeon removes small sections of healthy skin and uses them to cover small patches of vitiligo. This is an effective treatment for 90 to 95% of the cases. However, the side effects include infection, spotty color, graft failure, scarring, and the cobblestone appearance of the skin.
Blister grafting: This treatment involves covering the pigmented skin with created blisters. The surgeon then transplants the tops of these blisters on the discolored skin. The possible side effects include failure of pigmentation, damage to the pigmented skin, or scarring.
Cellular suspension transplant: Small skin grafts are taken from the donor area and then treated separately to remove the cells. The cell suspension is then placed on the discolored skin patches. This process can be successfully used for large and stable areas of vitiligo and gives better color and texture match for vitiligo patches than other treatments. Nevertheless, scarring, infection, and uneven skin tone are still risky.

Tips to prevent vitiligo from worsening

Vitiligo is unpredictable; focusing on the triggers and behaviors that increase the problem and identifying them can help you feel better. Here are some dermatologists recommend simple tips for vitiligo patients to prevent it from getting worse

Protect your skin from the sun at all times: The melanin in our skin is responsible for its color and protection from damage from harmful sun rays. With the loss of pigment in the skin, the skin is vulnerable to injury from sun rays such as sunburns. In turn, sunburns can also make vitiligo worse. Another advantage of good sun protection is that lighter skin tones make the vitiligo patches less noticeable. Therefore, protect your skin by
- Seeking shade: Try to always be in the shade, especially when the sun’s damaging rays are the strongest. A simple way to know this is to observe your shadow. The shorter the shadow, the more damaging the sun’s rays are.
- Wear sun-protective clothing: wearing the right and weather-appropriate clothes will give you adequate protection from the sun.
- Use sunscreen indoors and outdoors during the day: Come hail or shine. Of course, it would be best to go anywhere with sunscreen protection. if you have vitiligo, use the dermatologist’s recommend sunscreen of SPF 50 or more sunscreen. Apply liberally on the face, neck, and all the exposed areas of the skin. apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going out and reapply every 2-3 hours. If you are involved in activities that cause sweating or contact with water, use water-resistant sunscreen and reapply more often.
Avoid tanning beds, sun beds, and saunas at all times. They can burn the skin with lost pigment and increase the discolored patches.
Use safe camouflage makeup, skin dye, or a self-tanner to add color to the skin, but do a patch test first. Use a waterproof product, and remember that natural-looking results take practice.
Avoid getting tattoos: Tattoos create minor wounds on the skin and can cause new vitiligo spots on the skin.
Reduce stress by including healthy exercises such as deep breathing, meditation, and practice. This will help support your immune system and boost your mental health.
Include a healthy diet in your daily routine: Since vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder, eating a nutrient-rich diet is helpful to give the immune system a health boost. Oxidative dress is another thing that damages the cells and slows down tissue regeneration. Hence a diet rich in antioxidants, phytochemicals, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D can help prevent the worsening of vitiligo. Food items to include are fruits such as berries, green leafy vegetables, nuts, chocolate, herbs spices, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, seeds, oily fish, and fortified dairy products. At the same time, you should also avoid foods that are high in fat or cause inflammation. Limit the intake of cheese, fried foods, processed food, white bread, alcohol, sugary sweets, and pasta.
Avoid skin wounds and burns: Stay away from chemical exposure and use products suitable for sensitive skin as much as possible. In addition, stay away from sources of injury or irritation.
Please don’t listen to myths: Learn as much as possible about vitiligo and what is causing it to spread. If you know the right things, you can play an active role in the care and have more control over vitiligo.

Self-care will help you feel better, and working with your dermatologist will make it easier to lessen the effects of the patches on your life.

Category Archives: Vitiligo treatment

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May 23

UNDERSTANDING PSORIASIS: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO TREAT IT

What causes psoriasis?

Types of psoriasis

Why is psoriasis treatment necessary?

Treatment options for psoriasis

Psoriasis treatment plan

Skin, hair and nail care in psoriasis

Psoriasis treatment cost

Apr 23

WHAT IS VITILIGO LASER TREATMENT? UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS AND BENEFITS

What causes vitiligo?

Treatment for Vitiligo

Types of vitiligo

Laser treatment for vitiligo works in two ways

Excimer laser

Side effects of Excimer laser

The other lasers used for vitiligo treatment in Mumbai include

Who is laser treatment for vitiligo suitable for?

Aftercare after laser vitiligo treatment

Vitiligo laser treatment cost in India

Apr 23

What is vitiligo?

How to prevent vitiligo from worsening or spreading?

Treatment options for vitiligo

Medications

Therapies

Depigmentation

Surgery

Tips to prevent vitiligo from worsening

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