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The American Academy of Dermatology describes vitiligo as “more than a cosmetic problem.” It is a health issue that needs medical attention.

Several remedies can help decrease the visibility of the condition, though some people may not want to treat the condition at all.

Using sunscreen

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen to protect the skin. The lighter patches of skin are especially sensitive to sunlight, and they can burn quickly. A dermatologist can advise on a suitable type of sunscreen.

Phototherapy with UVB light

A common treatment option is exposure to certain wavelengths of ultraviolet B (UVB) light, called phototherapy. Home phototherapy units are available but must be used with the supervision of a physician.

If a person goes to a clinic for treatment, a healthcare professional may recommend two to three visits per week.

If there are white spots across large body areas, UVB phototherapy may help. It involves full-body treatment in an office setting.

UVB phototherapy, combined with other treatments, can positively affect vitiligo. However, the result is not predictable, and there is still no treatment to fully re-pigment the skin.

Phototherapy with UVA light

Done in a healthcare setting, UVA treatment involves people taking a drug that increases their skin’s sensitivity to UV light. Then, in a series of treatments, a qualified healthcare professional exposes the affected skin to prescribed doses of UVA light.

According to a 2017 meta-analysis, progress is typically evident after 6–12 months of therapy.

Skin camouflage

While many people feel comfortable or enjoy how vitiligo looks, it may not be comfortable for everyone with the condition.

In cases of mild vitiligo, a person can camouflage the white patches with colored cosmetic creams and makeup. They can select tones that best match their skin tone.

Topical corticosteroids

Corticosteroid ointments are creams containing steroids. A 2017 review of studies concludes that applying topical corticosteroids to the white patches is an effective treatment.

Corticosteroids should be used with caution on the face and only under the guidance of a physician because of potential side effects, such as:

• First, acne lesions
• Second, spider veins
• Lastly, thinning of the skin

Calcipotriene (Dovonex)

In fact, calcipotriene is a form of vitamin D used in topical therapy, often in combination with corticosteroids or phototherapy. Side effects may include:

• itching
• redness
• burning

Drugs affecting the immune system

The topical medications tacrolimus and primecrolimus are drugs known as calcineurin inhibitors. They may help with smaller patches of depigmentation.

However, pimecrolimus contains a boxed warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about rare cases of malignancy, such as skin cancer and lymphoma, reported in people treated with calcineurin inhibitors.

Skin grafts

In a skin graft, a surgeon carefully removes healthy patches of pigmented skin and uses them to cover affected areas.

This procedure is not very common because it takes time and can result in scarring in the area.

Blister grafting involves producing a blister on more typical skin using suction. The top of the blister is then removed and placed on an area where the pigment was lost.

Tattooing

Micropigmentation, or medical tattooing, includes implanting pigment into the skin. It may work in people with light to medium skin tones.

Drawbacks can include difficulty matching the color of skin and the fact that tattoos fade but do not tan. Sometimes, skin damage caused by tattooing can trigger another patch of vitiligo.

Depigmentation

Depigmentation can be an option when the affected area is widespread, covering half of the body or more. It works by reducing the skin color in unaffected parts to match the whiter areas better.

Depigmentation involves applying strong topical lotions or ointments, such as monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH), 4-methoxyphenol, and phenol.

The treatment is permanent, but it can make the skin more fragile. In addition, people must avoid extended exposure to the sun. Depigmentation can take 1–4 years depending on the depth of the original skin tone.

Ruxolitinib (Opzelura)

Opzelura is a topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. It’s the only medication approved by the FDA to restore lost pigment in people with vitiligo. It can treat a small area of the body in people 12 years and older with nonsegmental vitiligo.