Vitiligo

What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a disease that causes the loss of skin color, resulting in a blotchy appearance on sections of the skin. It can occur on any part of the body.

Symptoms and causes

Symptoms include:

• Patchy loss of skin color, sometimes occurring symmetrically on both sides of the body
• Premature whitening or graying of the hair, including the eyelashes, eyebrows or beard
• Loss of color around the mouth and nose

The precise cause is unknown but it is believed to be an autoimmune condition that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys certain cells within the body. As a result, the cells that produce melanin either die or stop functioning and create a blotchy appearance to the skin. While vitiligo can affect people of all skin types, it tends to be more noticeable in people with darker skin tones. The condition is not dangerous or contagious, although it can cause people to feel self-conscious.

Treatment options in the greater Los Angeles area

Vitiligo is a lifelong condition. Fortunately, there are treatment options to help control the appearance. At the Dermatology and Laser Centre, we use lasers to treat vitiligo more effectively, safely, and conveniently than topical creams, UVB booths, or PUVA.*

If you have vitiligo and are interested in learning more, schedule your consultation to find out if laser treatments are ideal for you. When you schedule your appointment, you can either select our Simi Valley or our Studio City location.

*Individual results may vary; not a guarantee.

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