Vitiligo: What It Is And How To Treat It

Since doctors are not certain of the cause, most treatment options involve treating the symptoms. There are several treatments that may be used to attempt to get your melanocytes to resume production of melanin. One treatment involves grafting healthy skin (with functioning melanocytes) into the affected areas. Other methods involve using ultraviolet light to stimulate the patient's melanocytes. One of the most promising treatment options uses a laser to stimulate the melanocytes. This method is showing excellent results with minimal side effects. The symptoms of vitiligo are caused by non-functioning melanocytes, which are the cells in your skin responsible for producing melanin, the primary pigment in your skin. When the melanocytes are shut down and melanin production stops, your skin loses its pigmentation, and turns white. Doctors and researchers are not yet completely certain exactly what causes vitiligo. They do know that genetic factors play a role in a person's susceptibility. They also believe that it is, or can be, an auto immune disease, meaning that your body's immune system attacks and damages your melanocytes, which then causes the vitiligo.