570-296-4000 / Request A Consultation /

MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center

Surgery & Laser Center in Milford, PA

Logo

MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center

Request / Phone / Menu Button

Call Today570-296-4000
/
Request Form
/
Specials
/
Gallery
/
Testimonials
/
Blog
/
  • Home
  • Procedures
    • inject menu Injectables
      • AquaGold Micro-Botox
      • Belotero Balance®
      • Botox® Cosmetic
      • Dysport®
      • JUVÉDERM® XC
      • Kybella®
      • Lip Filler Injections
      • PREVELLE® Silk
      • Radiesse®
      • Sculptra® Aesthetic
      • Xeomin®
      • View All
    • face neck menu Face & Neck
      • Blepharoplasty
      • Brow Lift
      • Facelift & Forehead Lift
      • Liquid Face Lift
      • Rhinoplasty (Non-Surgical)
      • Facial Fillers
      • Laser Photo Rejuvenation
      • PrecisionTx Neck
      • Laser Lipo Neck
      • Earlobe Repair
      • View All
    • body menu Body
      • Breast Implants
      • Breast Augmentation
      • Breast Lift
      • CoolSculpting® Body Fat
      • Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty
      • Brazilian Butt Lift
      • LipoSculpture
      • Thermage Body Tightening
      • Cellulite Reduction
      • Laser Vein Treatment
      • Vaginal Rejuvenation
      • View All
    • surg menu Surgical
      • Arm Lift – Brachioplasty
      • Awake Liposuction / Liposuction / Laser Liposuction
      • Brazilian Butt Lift
      • Breast Augmentation
      • Breast Augmentation Fat (AFT) / Silicone / Saline
      • Breast Implants Silicone / Saline
      • Breast Lift
      • Face Lifts
      • Fat Transfer – Fat Grafting
      • Gynecomastia Male Breast Reduction
      • Neck Lifts – Chin Tuck – Platysmaplasty
      • View All
    • non-surg menu Non-Surgical
      • Non-Surgical Brow Lift
      • Facelift & Forehead Lift
      • Fat Reduction
      • Neck Lift
      • Vaginal Rejuvenation
      • Volume Restoration
      • Wrinkle Reduction
      • View All
  • Skin, Hair & Medispa
    • skin2 menu
    • Skin
      • Botox Skin or Mesotox
      • Skin of Color
      • Skin Regeneration
      • Tattoo Removal
      • Thermage Skin Tightening
      • Wound Healing
      • Vitiligo Treatment
    • hair2 menu
    • Hair
      • Female Hair Restoration
      • Hair Restoration
      • Hair Transplants
      • Laser Hair Removal
      • Scar & Keloid Repair
    • medispa menu
    • MediSpa
      • AquaGold Microtox
      • Chemical Peels
      • Facial Peels
      • HydraFacial MD®
      • Microdermabrasion
      • Parisian Peel
  • Conditions We Treat
    • skin menu Skin
      • Acne
      • Acne Scars
      • Age Spots
      • Birthmarks
      • Eczema
      • Hypertrophic Scars
      • Bumps & Keloids
      • Moles
      • Pigmented Spots & Freckles
      • Port Wine Stains
      • Stretch Marks
      • Sun Damage & Sun Spots
      • Tattoos
      • Warts & Cysts
    • face neck menu Face & Neck
      • Neck Bands
      • Rosacea
      • Saggy Skin
      • Wrinkles
    • body menu Body
      • Cellulite
      • Fat Excess & Bulges
      • Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)
      • Laser Liposuction
      • Gynecomastia
      • Sexual Dysfunction
      • Urinary Incontinence
      • Vaginal Dryness
    • hair menu Hair
      • Baldness
      • Hair Thinning
      • Insufficient Eyelashes
      • Unwanted or Excessive Hair
    • veins menu Veins
      • Broken Blood Vessels
      • Leg Veins
      • Periocular Veins
      • Spider & Reticular Veins
      • Varicose Veins
      • Vascular Malformations
  • Lasers & Devices
    • AquaGold Fine Touch
    • Blu-U (Light)
    • Cellulaze Cellulite Laser
    • CO2 Lumenis Laser
    • CoolSculpting®
    • DermaTyte 1319
    • Ellman (RF)
    • Erbium Laser
    • Fractional Laser
    • Fraxel Dual 1550 / 1927
    • Fraxel Re:pair Laser
    • Fraxel Restore Laser
    • GentleLASE
    • GentleYAG
    • HydraFacial MD®
    • Legend Pro
    • Lumenis IPL
    • Lumenis Nd:YAG
    • Lumenis One
    • Lumenis OPT
    • MedLite C6
    • MedLite C6-1064
    • MedLite C6-532
    • MedLite C6-585
    • MedLite C6-650
    • Microcannula
    • NuEra Tight
    • Omnilux (LED)
    • Omnilux Blue
    • Omnilux Plus
    • Omnilux Revive
    • Omnilux Revive Plus Combo
    • PrecisionTx Laser
    • Pro-V Sciton Joule
    • ProLipo Laser
    • SmartLipo™ Triplex
    • SmoothBeam Laser
    • Thermage® RF / ThermaCool™
    • ThermiRase®
    • ThermiSmooth®
    • ThermiTight®
    • ThermiVa®
    • Ultherapy®
    • UV Photography
    • Vasculight
    • VBeam
    • Venus Freeze
    • VersaPulse Alexandrite 755
    • VersaPulse Help-G 532 KTP
    • Versapulse Laser
    • VersaPulse Nd:YAG 532
    • VersaPulse Nd:YAG 1064
  • About Us
    • practice menu Our Practice
    • physicians menu Physicians
    • staff menu new Staff
    • facility menu AAAHC Accredited Surgical Facility
    • employ menu Employment
  • Gallery
    • gal4 menu Face & Neck
      • Acne & Acne Scar Repair
      • Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Lift) – Lower
      • Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Lift) – Upper
      • Brow Lift
      • CoolSculpting® Neck
      • Dark Circles & Pigmentation
      • View All
    • gal2 menu Breast, Arms & Hands
      • Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) Procedures
      • Breast Augmentation
      • Breast Augmentation – AFT
      • CoolSculpting® Arm Treatments
      • Décolletage Treatments
      • Gynecomastia Treatments
      • View All
    • gal1 menu Abdomen, Waist & Hips
      • CoolSculpting® Body Treatments
      • HD Body Sculpting Procedures
      • Laser LipoSculpture Procedures
      • Laser Liposuction Male Procedures
      • Skin Tightening Abdomen Procedures
      • Laser Tattoo Removal
    • gal5 menu Thighs, Buttocks & Legs
      • Cellulite Reduction Procedures
      • CoolSculpting® Thigh Procedures
      • Laser Lipo Thigh Procedures
      • Leg Vein Treatments
      • View All
    • gal menu Vaginal Rejuvenation
    • gal6 menu By Device & Product
      • BOTOX® Cosmetic Procedures
      • Cellulaze™ Procedures
      • CoolSculpting® Treatments
      • Dysport® Procedures
      • Fraxel® Procedures
      • View All
    • gal7 menu Videos
  • Patient Resources
    • portal menu
    • Resources
      • Patient Forms
      • Patient Portal
      • My TouchMD
      • Visia & Vectra
    • virtual menu
    • Virtual Consultation
      • Skin Assessment
      • Body Procedures
      • Breast Procedures
      • Face Procedures
      • Other Procedures
    • pricing menu
    • Pricing
      • Procedures
      • Products
      • Specials
      • Financing
      • VIP Loyalty Rewards
  • Specials
  • Testimonials & Media
    • testimonial menu Testimonials
    • press menu Press & Media
    • onlinereview menu Online Reviews
    • blog menu Blog
  • Contact
    • employ menu Contact Us & Directions
    • outoftown menu Visiting a Destination – Milford, PA
  • Home
  • Procedures
    • Injectables
      • AquaGold Micro-Botox
      • Belotero Balance®
      • Botox® Cosmetic
      • Dysport®
      • JUVÉDERM® XC
      • Kybella®
      • Lip Filler Injections
      • PREVELLE® Silk
      • Radiesse®
      • Sculptra® Aesthetic
      • Xeomin®
      • View All
    • Face & Neck
      • Blepharoplasty
      • Brow Lift
      • Facelift & Forehead Lift
      • Liquid Face Lift
      • Rhinoplasty (Non-Surgical)
      • Facial Fillers
      • Laser Photo Rejuvenation
      • PrecisionTx Neck
      • Laser Lipo Neck
      • Earlobe Repair
      • View All
    • Body
      • Breast Implants
      • Breast Augmentation
      • Breast Lift
      • CoolSculpting® Body Fat
      • Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty
      • Brazilian Butt Lift
      • LipoSculpture
      • Thermage Body Tightening
      • Cellulite Reduction
      • Laser Vein Treatment
      • Vaginal Rejuvenation
      • View All
    • Surgical
      • Arm Lift – Brachioplasty
      • Awake Liposuction / Liposuction / Laser Liposuction
      • Brazilian Butt Lift
      • Breast Augmentation
      • Breast Augmentation Fat (AFT) / Silicone / Saline
      • Breast Implants Silicone / Saline
      • Breast Lift
      • Face Lifts
      • Fat Transfer – Fat Grafting
      • Gynecomastia Male Breast Reduction
      • Neck Lifts – Chin Tuck – Platysmaplasty
      • View All
    • Non-Surgical
      • Non-Surgical Brow Lift
      • Facelift & Forehead Lift
      • Fat Reduction
      • Neck Lift
      • Vaginal Rejuvenation
      • Volume Restoration
      • Wrinkle Reduction
      • View All
  • Skin, Hair & Medispa
    • Skin Image
    • Skin
      • Botox Skin or Mesotox
      • Skin of Color
      • Skin Regeneration
      • Tattoo Removal
      • Thermage Skin Tightening
      • Wound Healing
      • Vitiligo Treatment
    • Hair
    • Hair
      • Female Hair Restoration
      • Hair Restoration
      • Hair Transplants
      • Laser Hair Removal
      • Scar & Keloid Repair
    • MediaSpa Image
    • MediSpa
      • AquaGold Microtox
      • Chemical Peels
      • Facial Peels
      • HydraFacial MD®
      • Microdermabrasion
      • Parisian Peel
  • Conditions We Treat
    • Skin
      • Acne
      • Acne Scars
      • Age Spots
      • Birthmarks
      • Eczema
      • Hypertrophic Scars
      • Bumps & Keloids
      • Moles
      • Pigmented Spots & Freckles
      • Port Wine Stains
      • Stretch Marks
      • Sun Damage & Sun Spots
      • Tattoos
      • Warts & Cysts
    • Face & Neck
      • Neck Bands
      • Rosacea
      • Saggy Skin
      • Wrinkles
    • Body
      • Cellulite
      • Fat Excess & Bulges
      • Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)
      • Laser Liposuction
      • Gynecomastia
      • Sexual Dysfunction
      • Urinary Incontinence
      • Vaginal Dryness
    • Hair
      • Baldness
      • Hair Thinning
      • Insufficient Eyelashes
      • Unwanted or Excessive Hair
    • Veins
      • Broken Blood Vessels
      • Leg Veins
      • Periocular Veins
      • Spider & Reticular Veins
      • Varicose Veins
      • Vascular Malformations
  • Lasers & Devices
    • AquaGold Fine Touch
    • Blu-U (Light)
    • Cellulaze Cellulite Laser
    • CO2 Lumenis Laser
    • CoolSculpting®
    • DermaTyte 1319
    • Ellman (RF)
    • Erbium Laser
    • Fractional Laser
    • Fraxel Dual 1550 / 1927
    • Fraxel Re:pair Laser
    • Fraxel Restore Laser
    • GentleLASE
    • GentleYAG
    • HydraFacial MD®
    • Legend Pro
    • Lumenis IPL
    • Lumenis Nd:YAG
    • Lumenis One
    • Lumenis OPT
    • MedLite C6
    • MedLite C6-1064
    • MedLite C6-532
    • MedLite C6-585
    • MedLite C6-650
    • Microcannula
    • NuEra Tight
    • Omnilux (LED)
    • Omnilux Blue
    • Omnilux Plus
    • Omnilux Revive
    • Omnilux Revive Plus Combo
    • PrecisionTx Laser
    • Pro-V Sciton Joule
    • ProLipo Laser
    • SmartLipo™ Triplex
    • SmoothBeam Laser
    • Thermage® RF / ThermaCool™
    • ThermiRase®
    • ThermiSmooth®
    • ThermiTight®
    • ThermiVa®
    • Ultherapy®
    • UV Photography
    • Vasculight
    • VBeam
    • Venus Freeze
    • VersaPulse Alexandrite 755
    • VersaPulse Help-G 532 KTP
    • Versapulse Laser
    • VersaPulse Nd:YAG 532
    • VersaPulse Nd:YAG 1064
  • About Us
    • Our Practice
    • Physicians
    • Staff
    • AAAHC Accredited Surgical Facility
    • Employment
  • Gallery
    • Face & Neck
      • Acne & Acne Scar Repair
      • Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Lift) – Lower
      • Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Lift) – Upper
      • Brow Lift
      • CoolSculpting® Neck
      • Dark Circles & Pigmentation
      • View All
    • Breast, Arms & Hands
      • Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) Procedures
      • Breast Augmentation
      • Breast Augmentation – AFT
      • CoolSculpting® Arm Treatments
      • Décolletage Treatments
      • Gynecomastia Treatments
      • View All
    • Abdomen, Waist & Hips
      • CoolSculpting® Body Treatments
      • HD Body Sculpting Procedures
      • Laser LipoSculpture Procedures
      • Laser Liposuction Male Procedures
      • Skin Tightening Abdomen Procedures
      • Laser Tattoo Removal
    • Thighs, Buttocks & Legs
      • Cellulite Reduction Procedures
      • CoolSculpting® Thigh Procedures
      • Laser Lipo Thigh Procedures
      • Leg Vein Treatments
      • View All
    • Vaginal Rejuvenation
    • By Device & Product
      • BOTOX® Cosmetic Procedures
      • Cellulaze™ Procedures
      • CoolSculpting® Treatments
      • Dysport® Procedures
      • Fraxel® Procedures
      • View All
    • Videos
  • Patient Resources
    • Resources Image
    • Resources
      • Patient Forms
      • Patient Portal
      • My TouchMD
      • Visia & Vectra
    • Virtual Consultation Image
    • Virtual Consultation
      • Skin Assessment
      • Body Procedures
      • Breast Procedures
      • Face Procedures
      • Other Procedures
    • Pricing Image
    • Pricing
      • Procedures
      • Products
      • Specials
      • Financing
      • VIP Loyalty Rewards
  • Specials
  • Testimonials & Media
    • Testimonials
    • Press & Media
    • Online Reviews
    • Blog
  • Contact
    • Contact Us & Directions
    • Visiting a Destination – Milford, PA
    • CoolSculpting Body Treatments
    • HD Body Sculpting Procedures
    • Laser LipoSculpture Procedures
    • Male Liposuction & Gynecomastia Procedures
    • Skin Tightening Abdomen Procedures
    • Laser Tattoo Removal

What Is Vitiligo And How Does It Occur?

What Is Vitiligo, And How Does It Occur

Vitiligo is a condition that affects the skin on any part of the body and causes loss of skin color in patches. Melanocytes normally occur throughout the skin, as well as in the hair follicles, mouth, and eyes. In vitiligo, it occurs when cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning. 

 

While vitiligo affects people of all skin types, it may be more noticeable in people with brown or black skin. Around half of those with vitiligo begin to see the condition develop before age 20, but most will have seen it develop before age 40. However, the condition is not life-threatening or contagious, but it can be stressful or make people feel bad about themselves.

 

What Are Different Types of Vitiligo?

Below are 2 types of vitiligo on which doctors typically categorize:

 

  1. Non-segmental vitiligo, also known as vitiligo Vulgaris, bilateral vitiligo, and generalized vitiligo. This results in white patches appearing on both sides of the body and is the most common type of vitiligo. Typically, it begins around the eyes or mouth, near the hands, feet, or body area where the skin frequently rubs together. With non-segmental vitiligo, the color loss comes in spurts throughout a person’s life, spreading and becoming more noticeable as time goes on.
  2. Segmental vitiligo or also known as unilateral vitiligo. This type usually starts at a younger age and generally progresses for a year or so before it stops. The segmental vitiligo appears in one body area, like one arm or leg. In fact, it’s accompanied by color changes in the hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes in about 50 percent of cases, but this vitiligo type is less common than nonsegmental vitiligo and affects about 1 in 10 vitiligo patients. 

 

In addition, below are common sites of pigment loss, including:

 

  • Exposed areas: hands, face, the upper part of the chest
  • Around body openings: eyes, nostrils, mouth, nipples, belly button, genitalia
  • Body folds: armpits, groin
  • Sites of injury: cuts, scrapes, burns
  • Hair: early graying of hair of the scalp, beard, or other areas
  • The area immediately surrounding pigmented moles

 

What Are Symptoms of Vitiligo?

In general, vitiligo’s main symptom is loss of natural color or pigment, called depigmentation. The depigmented patches can appear anywhere on the body, such as:

 

  • Skin, wherein milky-white patches are developed, usually on the hands, feet, arms, and face. However, the patches can appear anywhere.
  • Hair, where it can turn white in areas where the skin is losing pigment. This can happen on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard.
  • Mucous membranes, such as the inside of the mouth or nose.

 

Moreover, people with vitiligo can also develop:

 

  • Inflammation in the ear.
  • Poor self-image or low self-esteem from concerns about appearance, which can affect the quality of life.
  • Uveitis, which is a general term that describes inflammation or swelling in the eye.

 

What Causes Vitiligo?

Although the causes of vitiligo aren’t entirely understood, several different theories include:

 

  • Autoimmune disorder. The affected immune system of the person may develop antibodies that destroy melanocytes.
  • Genetic factors. Vitiligo can be inherited, part of certain factors that may increase the chance. In fact, about 30% of vitiligo cases run in families.
  • Neurogenic factors. A substance that is toxic to melanocytes and may be released at the skin’s nerve endings.
  • Self-destruction. Melanocyte defects can cause their own destruction.

 

Also, vitiligo may be triggered by certain events like physical or emotional stress. Since none of the explanations account for the condition completely, a combination of these factors may be responsible for vitiligo.

 

How Is Vitiligo Treated?

While there is no cure for vitiligo, medical treatment aims to create a uniform skin tone through repigmentation or depigmentation. Hence, below are common treatments, including: 

 

Camouflage Therapy

  • The use of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, which can also shield the UVB and UVA. Using sunscreens minimizes tanning, limiting the contrast between the normal and affected skin.
  • Applying makeup may also help camouflage the depigmented areas. In fact, Dermablend is one well-known brand.
  • Hair dyes can be used if vitiligo affects the hair.
  • The help of depigmentation therapy using the drug monobenzone is used if the disease is extensive. This medication is applied to pigmented skin patches that will turn them white to match the vitiligo areas.

 

Repigmentation Therapy

  • Corticosteroids can be taken as a pill) or as a cream put on the skin. The results may take up to 3 months, but for any side effects, the doctor will monitor the patients, including skin thinning or stretch marks, when used for a prolonged period.
  • Topical immunomodulators such as calcineurin inhibitors.
  • Topical vitamin D analogs.

 

Light Therapy

  • The use of narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), which requires two to three weekly treatment sessions for several months.
  • Excimer lasers emit ultraviolet light wavelength close to that of narrow-band UVB. Additionally, this is better for those with no widespread or large lesions since it is delivered to small, targeted areas.
  • The combination of oral psoralen and UVA (PUVA) treats large areas of vitiligo skin. This treatment is effective for people with vitiligo in the upper arms, legs, neck, head, and trunk.

 

Surgery

  • Autologous (from the patient) skin grafts. This process involves taking out skin from one part of the patient and used to cover another part. However, there may be possible complications, including scarring, infection, or a failure to repigment. This might also be called mini-grafting.
  • Micropigmentation. A type of tattooing is usually applied to the lips of people affected by vitiligo.

 

Counseling

  • Vitiligo can cause psychological distress and affect the outlook and social interactions of the person. When this happens, the provider may suggest finding a counselor or attending a support group.

 

Who Gets Vitiligo?

While anyone can get vitiligo at any age but for many people with vitiligo, the white patches appear before age 20 and can start in early childhood. Also, this condition seems to be more common in people who have a family history of vitiligo or with certain autoimmune diseases, including:

 

  • Addison’s disease.
  • Pernicious anemia.
  • Psoriasis.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus.
  • Thyroid disease.
  • Type 1 diabetes.

 

How To Care For The Skin?

In addition to medications and other treatments the doctor might prescribe to help manage or stop the spread of vitiligo’s physical symptoms, it’s also essential to know that certain lifestyle habits can help make it less noticeable, such as:

 

  • Wearing sunscreen and avoiding tanning beds, as ultraviolet (UV) light can trigger a vitiligo reaction. That said, it’s recommended to look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. 
  • Protecting the skin with clothing. Increase the SPF of clothing by washing the clothes with a UV-protectant treatment. 
  • Applying a self-tanner to the skin can add color safely. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests choosing one with dihydroxyacetone, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says is the ingredient responsible for darkening the skin. 
  • Avoiding tattoos. They can sometimes trigger another vitiligo outbreak within two weeks. 
  • Limiting exposure to hair dye and bleach These contain chemicals called phenols, which can trigger vitiligo to start or spread. Choose natural dyes instead.

 

The Bottom Line

Vitiligo is a chronic or long-lasting condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center offers Omnilux Vitiligo Laser Treatment, which has achieved repigmentation after 8-12 weeks of treatment. Ultimately, it utilizes specific wavelengths of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to help gently stimulate the skin’s natural rejuvenation process and has been proven effective in treating various skin conditions.

Filed Under: MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center, Vitiligo Tagged With: MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center, Vitiligo

Search Site

Schedule Your Complimentary Virtual, Phone, or Video Consultation to get personalized recommendations from our Board Certified physicians.

MilfordMD Covid-19 Protocols
Tweets by milfordmd

Social

Stay Connected @milfordmd

Sign Up

GET EXCLUSIVE OFFERS
& BEAUTY TIPS

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get In Touch

MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center
MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center

Contact Us

570-296-4000

Mon, Tue, Thu: 9AM – 6PM
Wed & Fri: 9AM – 4PM
Saturdays by appointment only

Find Us

MilfordMD Cosmetic Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center
303 W. Harford Street
Milford, PA 18337

570-296-4000

Site is Supported And Maintained By :
Site Map | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | HIPAA Privacy Policy