OVERVIEW
Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder of the skin that is characterized by circumscribed, depigmented macules and patches. The condition is frequently associated with disorders of autoimmune origin, with thyroid abnormalities being the most common.
TREATMENT
Nonsurgical treatments
Phototherapy: Induces satisfactory repigmentation in the majority of patients with early or localized disease
Topical corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors can be used separately or in combination
Laser therapy: Effective on limited, stable patches of vitiligo
Depigmentation therapy: If vitiligo is extensive and attempts at repigmentation have not produced satisfactory results, depigmentation may be attempted in very carefully selected patients
Micropigmentation: Tattooing can be used to repigment depigmented skin in dark-skinned individuals
Surgery
Noncultured epidermal suspensions
Thin dermoepidermal grafts
Suction epidermal grafting
Punch minigrafting
Cultured epidermis with melanocytes or cultured melanocyte suspensions
