Vitiligo
Restoring Skin Tone with Compassion
and Care
We offer innovative therapies and individualized plans to support patients living with vitiligo.
What is vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a condition in which your skin pigment vanishes in blotches to leave white patches on your skin. The most common areas of depigmentation include the face, neck, and hands. Vitiligo can also affect the scalp, hair, mucous membranes, and other parts of your body.
What are the different types of vitiligo?
The two forms of vitiligo are:
Nonsegmental vitiligo
Nonsegmental vitiligo, the most common type, occurs fairly evenly on both the right and left side of the body. This form of vitiligo often starts in your hands or feet or around your eyes or mouth.
Nonsegmental vitiligo usually features rapid depigmentation followed by a period with no changes. But, the pigment loss usually starts again later. This cycle may repeat many times over the years. As time goes on, the areas of depigmentation usually grow bigger or grow to connect with other depigmented areas.
Segmental vitiligo
Segmental vitiligo appears in only one area, for example, one leg. It may also include hair depigmentation. Segmental vitiligo usually causes steady pigment loss for about a year but stops after that.
Segmental vitiligo usually starts earlier in life, typically before age 30. Nearly 60% of people with segmental vitiligo develop their first symptoms before age 20.
With both types of vitiligo, you may have localized pigment loss (very few spots in a few areas), generalized (multiple scattered areas throughout the body), or universal (very little natural pigment left).
What causes vitiligo?
The cause of vitiligo is unknown. Many experts believe it’s an autoimmune disease in which your body mistakenly attacks and destroys skin pigment. Up to 25% of people with vitiligo also have an autoimmune disorder, with common examples being rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Type 1 diabetes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes vitiligo?
Vitiligo occurs when melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) lose function or die, likely from autoimmune or oxidative processes. Genetic and environmental contributors may also play a role. Disease progression and repigmentation potential vary widely.
What types exist?
There is nonsegmental (generalized) vitiligo, which appears symmetrically and progresses gradually, and segmental vitiligo, which is localized and often stabilizes earlier. The subtype influences treatment strategy and prognosis.
How is vitiligo treated?
Treatments may include topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors and phototherapy (narrowband UVB or excimer laser). Combined approaches often yield better outcomes. Because repigmentation is slow and may be incomplete, maintenance is usually necessary and results differ by patient.