VITILIGO SPECIALIST NYC
VITILIGO TREATMENT
Our vitiligo specialists in NYC can help reduce the prominence of vitiligo and restore an even complexion. Vitiligo is a chronic skin disease that can affect people of all skin colors. Patients with darker complexions may have symptoms that appear more noticeable than those with paler complexions. Vitiligo occurs when melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) are deficient in certain areas of the body. The patches of skin that are affected lose their color and then turn white, leaving white patches in the affected areas. Vitiligo can be present anywhere on the skin, but most commonly appears on the face, neck, hands, and skin creases. At Dermatology, Laser & Surgery of Carnegie Hill, our vitiligo specialists use the most up-to-date technologies and treatments to help slow or stop the discoloration process vitiligo causes.
WHAT IS VITILIGO?
Vitiligo is a chronic skin disease that makes patches of skin lose their natural pigment. When there is a deficiency in melanocytes (pigment-producing cells), the skin turns a pale white color. An absence of melanocytes can happen anywhere on the body, including the scalp and inside the mouth. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack your healthy skin cells that produce melanin and skin color. Patients can rest assured knowing that despite its appearance, it is not life-threatening or contagious. Vitiligo can occur at any age, but it usually forms before the age of 20. While it cannot be cured, its appearance can be greatly managed with lasers, ointments, and other medications. Our NYC dermatologists can help you find a treatment that will combat vitiligo. Dermatology, Laser & Surgery of Carnegie Hill has the latest technologies that provide noticeable improvements in skin tone and complexion.
| VITILIGO OVERVIEW |
| CREATES WHITE SPOTS OR PATCHES ON THE SKIN |
| OFTEN AFFECTS AREAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO EXCESSIVE SUN EXPOSURE |
| MOST COMMON ON THE FACE, HANDS, ARMS, FEET, OR MIDSECTION |
| MAY SPREAD TO OTHER AREAS |
| BECOMES MORE NOTICEABLE FOR THOSE WITH DARKER SKIN COMPLEXIONS |
| CAN BE DIAGNOSED BY A DERMATOLOGIST |
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF VITILIGO?
Our vitiligo specialists can help determine the type of vitiligo you may be experiencing. Once diagnosed, we will create a detailed treatment plan to help reduce the visible symptoms of vitiligo and stop it from spreading to other areas. The forms of vitiligo are:
Generalized Vitiligo: The most common type of vitiligo. It can affect many parts of the body. Subtypes include acrofacial vitiligo (symptoms on the face, hands, or feet) and vitiligo vulgaris (symptoms occurring on the body).
Segmental Vitiligo: Symptoms are present on only one section of the body.
Localized Vitiligo: Symptoms of vitiligo are not widespread. May affect a specific area of the body (focal vitiligo) or your body’s mucous membranes (mucosal vitiligo).
Universal Vitiligo: Occurs when an absence of melanocytes affects the entire body.
Mixed Vitiligo: Occurs when many types of vitiligo are present.
WHAT CAUSES VITILIGO?
Vitiligo is caused by a lack of melanin, or pigment in the skin. Melanin is created by skin cells known as melanocytes. However, patients with vitiligo do not produce enough melanocytes to create melanin. Vitiligo is known to be associated with autoimmune disorders, a condition in which the immune system attacks itself, rather than foreign bodies. Additionally, vitiligo has been associated with hyperthyroidism, a condition characterized by an overactive thyroid gland.
WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VITILIGO?
Our New York dermatologists can create a specific plan to help improve your vitiligo symptoms. Sometimes, using multiple methods can help achieve the best results. Excimer laser surgery and topical products are known for their efficacy in treating vitiligo. Laser treatment can help re-pigment patches of skin that are pale and discolored, while topical ointments can help reduce the appearance of patches, as well.
| LASER TREATMENT |
| AN EXCIMER LASER RE-PIGMENTS PATCHY WHITE SKIN |
| 10 TO 15 TREATMENTS ARE USUALLY REQUIRED |
| LASER TREATMENT CAN RESTORE SKIN TO ITS NATURAL COLOR |
| TOPICAL TREATMENTS |
| MEDICATIONS, OINTMENTS, OR CREAMS ARE APPLIED TO AREAS AFFECTED |
| THE APPLICATION DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF OINTMENT USED |
| OINTMENTS WILL REDUCE VITILIGO PATCHES, MAKING SYMPTOMS LESS NOTICEABLE |
HOW MANY VITILIGO TREATMENTS ARE REQUIRED?
For the best results, 10 to 15 laser treatments are usually required. Our vitiligo specialists in NYC can assess your symptoms and subsequent skin improvements to determine how many treatments would be necessary.
AM I AN IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR VITILIGO TREATMENT?
If you have been diagnosed with vitiligo and wish to make your skin tone more even and consistent, then you may be a good candidate for vitiligo treatment. The team at Dermatology, Laser & Surgery of Carnegie Hill can assess whether vitiligo treatment is right for you during your in-office consultation.
WILL ANESTHESIA BE USED FOR VITILIGO TREATMENT?
General or local anesthesia is not typically required for laser vitiligo treatment. A topical numbing cream is applied to make sure patients are comfortable during their procedure.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER VITILIGO TREATMENT?
After a laser vitiligo treatment, there may be some swelling and redness. Any signs of redness will usually subside within a few days. Patients can resume their day-to-day activities after laser vitiligo treatment.
WHAT RESULTS CAN I EXPECT FROM NYC VITILIGO TREATMENT?
Patients can expect to have a restored skin tone following vitiligo treatment. White patches should be much less noticeable after laser treatment or using topical ointments.
HOW DO I LEARN MORE ABOUT VITILIGO TREATMENT IN NYC?
The vitiligo specialists at Dermatology, Laser & Surgery of Carnegie Hill would be happy to discuss vitiligo treatment in more detail. Please give us a call at 646-661-6131 or request an appointment online for a personal consultation at our New York offices.