Can dermatologists cure vitiligo?

Author: Alycia Koch  |  Last update: Tuesday, October 21, 2025

While there isn't a cure for vitiligo, treatments can even out skin tone and restore skin color. We customize a treatment plan that works for you. Our vitiligo treatments include: Topical and systemic medications.

Can a dermatologist treat vitiligo?

Dermatologists may consider surgical techniques for long-standing segmental vitiligo or vitiligo of any type for which other treatments do not work.

Is vitiligo 100% curable?

There is no "cure" for vitiligo. Sometimes patches go away on their own. But when that doesn't happen, doctors can prescribe treatments that might help even out skin tone. Some of these treatments are things you can try at home; others are done by a doctor.

Has anyone recovered from vitiligo?

There is no cure for vitiligo, but certain treatment modalities such as topical cosmetic camouflage creams, steroids, PUVA therapy, narrowband UVB, and depigmenting agents (used in case of vitiligo involving more than 50% area) are available, but the results of these therapies are temporary and do not ensure that the ...

How much does it cost to get rid of vitiligo?

Phototherapy remains a cornerstone of vitiligo management. - Conventional phototherapy: $85–$120 per session, with most patients requiring 180–220 sessions. - Laser treatments: $150 or more per session, often requiring 20–30 sessions (depending on the area treated).

5 vitiligo wellness tips from dermatologists

Is it OK to leave vitiligo untreated?

Although there is no cure for vitiligo, there are treatments to help stop disease progression, restore skin color, and prevent new patches. For most people, the whitened skin patches last and grow larger if vitiligo is not treated.

Does insurance cover Opzelura?

your insurance. Your insurance plan may require a “prior authorization” before they'll pay for OPZELURA. To get the prior authorization approved, your healthcare provider needs to submit information to the plan.

What triggers vitiligo to spread?

Vitiligo may flare or spread due to: Stress. Sunburn, cuts, or other skin damage. Chemical exposure.

Can vitamin D reverse vitiligo?

Conclusions. Based on our findings, vitamin D levels were significantly low in patients with vitiligo in comparison with controls; however, we did not observe any significant effect of vitamin D on the occurrence and extension of vitiligo lesions.

What is the life expectancy of someone with vitiligo?

What is the life expectancy with vitiligo? It's important to clarify a common misconception: vitiligo does not affect life expectancy. Vitiligo is primarily a cosmetic condition, characterized by the loss of skin pigment.

Did Michael Jackson really have vitiligo?

Jackson usually avoided wearing patterned clothing to avoid attention to the disorder. Jackson's autopsy confirmed that he had vitiligo. His skin was found to have reduced (though not absent) melanocytes, the cells active in skin pigmentation. Vitiligo occurs in three different patterns.

Does vitiligo get worse with age?

Whether or not it is associated with aging, or gets worse with age, is truly undetermined at this point. However, the results of vitiligo are permanent, though there are a few treatment options patients can consider if they are self-conscious about their appearance.

Do and don'ts for vitiligo?

Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or sweating. You can also seek shade and wear clothing that shields your skin from the sun. Don't use tanning beds and sunlamps.

How much does vitiligo surgery cost?

The cost of vitiligo treatment varies based on the severity of the condition, the treatment method, and the duration of care. Topical Treatments: ₹1,500–₹3,000 per month. Phototherapy: ₹3,000–₹5,000 per session. Excimer Laser: ₹4,000–₹7,000 per session.

Can you get disability for vitiligo?

Currently, the vitiligo disability is rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7823, the criteria for rating vitiligo. Under these criteria, the maximum 10 percent rating is to be assigned for vitiligo affecting exposed areas. 38 C.F.R. § 4.118 (2011).

Can B12 reverse vitiligo?

Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid

This is why it is always recommended to take these two vitamins together in order to treat vitiligo. According to some scientific studies, a combination of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation and sun exposure is a good strategy to regain natural skin color.

Can you stop vitiligo from progressing?

There isn't a specific medication to stop vitiligo from affecting your skin but there are certain drugs that can slow the speed of pigmentation loss, help melanocytes regrow or bring color back to your skin. Medications to treat vitiligo could include: Corticosteroids. Topical Janus kinase inhibitors (ruxolitinib).

Is coffee good for vitiligo?

Based on the theory that the formation of free radicals could be related to skin depigmentation, the antioxidant property of coffee can be considered a factor that justifies its effect in the treatment of vitiligo.

What is the root cause of vitiligo?

Vitiligo occurs when immune cells destroy the cells that make brown pigment (melanocytes). This destruction is thought to be due to an autoimmune problem. An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system, which normally protects the body from infection, attacks and destroys healthy body tissue instead.

What happens if vitiligo is left untreated?

It's difficult to predict how this disease will progress. Sometimes the patches stop forming without treatment. In most cases, pigment loss spreads and eventually involves most of the skin. Occasionally, the skin gets its color back.

How many years does vitiligo take to spread all over the body?

Notable segmental vitiligo (SV) usually affects one side of the body. Other types of vitiligo, on the other hand, usually affect both sides. Most forms of vitiligo spread slowly across the skin over a certain time. However, SV progresses rapidly (usually within six months to a year) and later abruptly stops.

Why is Opzelura so expensive?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years.

How much does vitiligo treatment cost?

Outcomes included all-cause and vitiligo-related costs (2021 dollars) and all-cause HCRU, including mental health-related HCRU. Patients with vitiligo incurred significantly higher all-cause costs ($15,551 vs $7,735) and vitiligo-related costs ($3,490 vs $54) costs than controls.

What are the cons of opzelura?

The most common side effects of OPZELURA in people treated for mild to moderate eczema include: common cold (nasopharyngitis), diarrhea, bronchitis, ear infection, increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophil) count, hives, inflamed hair pores (folliculitis), swelling of the tonsils (tonsillitis), and runny nose ...

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