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Vitiligo Treatment in New York

Vitiligo Treatment in New York

Contents

1. What is Vitiligo?
2. How is Vitiligo treated?
3. How Does Vitiligo Affect People?
6. Request an Appointment
7. New York Office Locations

Vitiligo: Understanding and Managing the Skin Condition in NYC and Long Island

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by patches of skin losing their pigment, resulting in irregular white spots or patches. This condition arises when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment (melanin), are destroyed or malfunction.

How is Vitiligo treated?

At New York Cosmetic Skin & Laser Surgery, we specialize in vitiligo treatment, offering a range of advanced solutions:

Topical medications: Steroid creams or ointments can sometimes halt or slow the spread of depigmented patches. There are other non steroidal medications which also have a role in the treatment of vitiligo. Topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus have been around for many years and are effective especially when used in conjunction with topical steroids. Newer classes of medications called JAK inhibitors such as Opzelura have shown particular promise in the treatment of vitiligo.
Phototherapy: A treatment exposing skin to ultraviolet light, often combined with medications, to stimulate melanin production.
Excimer laser or XTRAC laser: The excimer laser used focused ultraviolet light in the form of laser which can be targeted to any areas of the body including the face which are affected by vitiligo. The Excimer laser is highly effective for treating vitiligo. Many patients fully or partially re-pigment the area of vitiligo. This laser needs to be administered in Dr. Rokhsar’s office once or twice a week. It can take 20-30 sessions to see for vitiligo to fade away with the excimer laser. Many insurances cover the cost of excimer (XTRAC) laser treatment of vitiligo.

How Does Vitiligo Affect People?

Beyond its cosmetic manifestation, vitiligo can have deep emotional and psychological implications:

Self-esteem issues: The emergence of white patches can foster feelings of self-consciousness.
Social anxiety: Individuals might feel apprehensive about societal reactions due to their unique skin appearance.
Mental well-being: Depression or anxiety can plague some vitiligo patients.

It’s pivotal to acknowledge vitiligo’s deeper impact. At New York Cosmetic Skin & Laser Surgery, with our expertise in vitiligo treatment, we understand the nuances of the condition, ensuring our patients receive the utmost care and support.

Vitiligo, while primarily a cosmetic challenge, has profound psychological effects. For those seeking comprehensive vitiligo treatment in NYC and Long Island, the New York Cosmetic Skin & Laser Surgery Center is committed to providing state-of-the-art care and understanding.

New York Office Locations

Upper East Side Manhattan Office
121 East 60th Street, Suite 8AB New York, NY 10022
(212) 285-1110

Long Island Office
901 Stewart Ave, Suite 240, Garden City, NY 11530
(516) 512-7616

Request an Appointment

Vitiligo Treatment FAQ

What causes vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a disease that causes loss of skin color in patches. The exact cause is unknown, but it’s believed to be an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys melanocytes, the skin cells responsible for producing melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color).

How can I prevent vitiligo?

There is no known way to prevent vitiligo. However, avoiding skin trauma and sunburn might reduce the risk of developing new patches in some people.

What causes vitiligo to spread?

The exact reasons why vitiligo spreads are not fully understood. Some potential triggers might include:

Physical trauma or sunburn
Stress
Exposure to certain chemicals which may harm melanocytes
Internal factors related to autoimmunity
Possible genetic factors

How rare is vitiligo?

Vitiligo isn’t especially rare. About 0.5 to 2% of the world’s population is affected by it.

What makes vitiligo worse?

Potential factors that might exacerbate vitiligo include:
UV exposure without protection
Skin trauma
Stress
Certain medications

How does vitiligo start?

Vitiligo often starts as small areas of pigment loss that spread and become larger with time. These patches are more common on sun-exposed areas, including the face, hands, and feet. Vitiligo often affects the genital areas including the penis and vagina as well. The patches might remain the same size or expand over time.

How to cure and treat vitiligo?

There’s no known cure for vitiligo, but treatments can slow or stop the progression of the disease and improve the appearance of the skin. Some treatments include:

Topical corticosteroids
Phototherapy (UVB therapy)
Microskin or tattooing (for small areas)
Skin grafting
Topical calcineurin inhibitors
Cosmetics to camouflage affected areas
Depigmentation of unaffected areas in extensive cases
treatment with JAK inhibitors such as Opzelura
Excimer and Xtract lasers. These lasers emit high intensity UVB light to stimulate the repopulation of melanocytes. These lasers are high effective in bringing the color back as long as there is a reservoir of melanocytes in the hair follicles.

Who is vitiligo most common in?

Vitiligo can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnic background. However, it’s more noticeable in people with darker skin tones because of the contrast between unaffected and affected areas.

What is non-segmental vitiligo?

There are two main types of vitiligo: segmental and non-segmental.

Non-segmental vitiligo (also known as generalized vitiligo) is the most common type. In this form, the patches of depigmented skin often appear on both sides of the body in a symmetrical pattern. This means that if a patch appears on one elbow, it’s likely to appear on the other elbow as well. Non-segmental vitiligo tends to progress and can become widespread over time.