Can vitiligo resolve spontaneously?

Author: Miss Raina Kozey Sr.  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Multiple studies have reported spontaneous repigmentation to happen in around 1 in 5 of patients (Ramam et al., 2020; Handa & Kaur, 1999), while textbooks report it occurring in no more than a quarter of cases (James et al., 2019). This means that it's unlikely for vitiligo spots to re-pigment without treatment.

Can vitiligo go away by itself?

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.

Can vitiligo spontaneously repigment?

Limitations: The chief limitation was the dependence on patient recall for the data, except when documented by images. Conclusion: Spontaneous repigmentation occurs in one-fifth of patients with vitiligo. In some patients, the repigmentation is clinically significant and long-lasting.

Can vitiligo be reversed naturally?

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 ...

Can vitiligo stop automatically?

There is no cure, and it is usually a lifelong condition. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease. Vitiligo is not contagious. Treatment options may include exposure to special UV light wavelengths and medications to restore color and slow the development of new depigmented patches.

Dr K K Aggarwal - Can vitiligo go for a spontaneous remission?

Can vitiligo go into remission?

Multiple studies have reported spontaneous repigmentation to happen in around 1 in 5 of patients (Ramam et al., 2020; Handa & Kaur, 1999), while textbooks report it occurring in no more than a quarter of cases (James et al., 2019). This means that it's unlikely for vitiligo spots to re-pigment without treatment.

Can vitiligo stop at early stage?

Although there is no cure for vitiligo, treatments can be very effective at stopping the progression and reversing its effects, which may help skin tone appear more even.

Can vitiligo be temporary?

The white patches caused by vitiligo are usually permanent, although treatment options are available to reduce their appearance.

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.

Has anyone ever gotten rid of vitiligo?

No drug can stop the process of vitiligo — the loss of pigment cells (melanocytes). But some drugs, used alone, in combination or with light therapy, can help restore some color. Drugs that control inflammation. Applying a corticosteroid cream to affected skin might return color.

What can be mistaken for vitiligo?

Here's a look at seven other skin conditions that are sometimes mistaken for vitiligo and how they differ from it.
  • Albinism. Masego Morulane/Getty Images; Canva. ...
  • Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) Adobe Stock. ...
  • Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis (IGH) iStock. ...
  • Melasma. Duangjan J/Shutterstock. ...
  • Pityriasis Alba. ...
  • Scleroderma. ...
  • Tinea Versicolor.

Do people with vitiligo eventually turn all white?

In most cases, pigment loss spreads and eventually involves most of the skin. Occasionally, the skin gets its color back.

How rare is universal vitiligo?

Just 1% of the world has vitiligo, a skin disorder that occurs when the cells that make melanin, a dark pigment, die or stop working, according to the Mayo Clinic. Even fewer people have universal vitiligo, which occurs when 80% of the body is covered in white patches.

Can vitiligo just stop spreading?

Of course, the good news is that “what you see is what you get” after about 6 months, it doesn't commonly spread to affect other areas after this. There are exceptions, of course, which I'll talk about below (that's called mixed vitiligo).

Can you reverse vitiligo with diet?

They may also recommend lifestyle strategies to manage the condition, including diet changes. Scientists have not identified any diets or foods that can cure vitiligo, but certain eating patterns may help limit inflammation and promote overall wellness.

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.

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.

How to reverse vitiligo naturally?

A 2018 review suggests various natural remedies, including ginkgo biloba, green tea, and aloe vera, may improve vitiligo symptoms. However, more research is necessary to determine their safety and effectiveness. People should speak with a doctor before trying natural remedies to ensure they are safe.

What deficiency causes vitiligo?

Vitamin D is probably the most common, because many of us are deficient in this vitamin, and vitiligo patients may be more so because of their need to avoid the sun to prevent burning of their sensitive white spots.

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.

Can vitiligo fix itself?

In most cases, patients with vitiligo will experience it as a lifelong condition. Learning how to rise above this cosmetic imperfection and maintain confidence is a part of living with vitiligo. While there is no cure for vitiligo, there is hope for treatment.

What looks like vitiligo but is not?

Pityriasis versicolor can sometimes be confused with vitiligo, as they both cause the skin to become discoloured in patches.

Do and don'ts for vitiligo?

The light patches of vitiligo sunburn easily

Sun protection can prevent a bad sunburn, which can worsen vitiligo. Never use a tanning bed or sun lamp. These are not safe alternatives to the sun. These, too, can burn skin that has lost pigment and worsen vitiligo.

Can vitiligo go away as you get older?

And while the Mayo Clinic notes that there's a chance your skin will stop losing pigment even without treatment, or even regain its color, it's more likely that your skin will continue losing pigment over greater areas and longer periods of time.

At what age does vitiligo peak?

Typically, there are two peaks of onset, early (<10 years) or late (around 30 years). 41% of segmental vitiligo cases start before the age of 10. 50% of non-segmental vitiligo cases start before the age of 20. 80% of all cases present before the age of 30.

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