In vitiligo, adaptive immune activation is responsible for killing melanocytes specifically, leaving other cells in the vicinity untouched (Figure
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.
Pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) are absent from vitiligo lesions (Le Poole et al, 1993b); their loss represents a key event in the pathogenesis of the disease.
In autoimmune conditions, the immune system does not work properly. Instead of attacking foreign cells, such as viruses, your immune system attacks your body's healthy cells and tissue. If you have non-segmental vitiligo, your immune system destroys the melanocyte skin cells that make melanin.
Current treatments for vitiligo include topical anti-inflammatory compounds, such as corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, which inhibit autoimmune responses, as well as narrow-band ultraviolet radiation B (nbUVB) (Ezzedine et al., 2015), which likely inhibits autoimmunity and promotes melanocyte regeneration.
One of the best ways you can build and maintain your number of melanocytes is to increase your vitamin intake. Here are three types of vitamins that can help: Vitamin A. Boosting your intake of vitamin A is the number one way to restore melanin in the skin.
Ruxolitinib (Opzelura™) is the only medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to restore lost skin color in people who have vitiligo. This JAK inhibitor is a cream that's approved to treat people 12 years of age and older who have non-segmental vitiligo.
Drinking water stored in a copper vessel will help you increase melanin in your body and reduce whiteness of patches caused by vitiligo. Basil leaves are known to have anti-aging and anti-viral properties. These properties of basil are important for dealing with vitiligo.
Certain components of hair dye, bleaching agents, and skin-care products can set off a vitiligo flare. Marmon advises choosing products labeled hypoallergenic that are free of harsh chemicals, fragrances, and irritants.
I tell my patients, you should see significant improvement at around 4 months. You should definitely start to repigment and a lot of patients do quite well. I do think that I am lucky as to where I practice where we just get a tremendous amount of ultraviolet light.
Pigmentation loss as a result of skin damage: If you've had a skin infection, blisters, burns, or other trauma to your skin, you may have a loss of pigmentation in the affected area. The good news with this type of pigment loss is that it's frequently not permanent, but it may take a long time to re-pigment.
A small amount of lemon is good to control melanin production. Tomatoes help reduce the risk of sunburns. Lycopene present in tomatoes has a photo-protective effect that provides protection from sunburns. Potato is another natural ingredient that lightens dark spots and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
Exposure to UV light from the sun or from tanning beds can damage the DNA in melanocytes, the cells that make the melanin that gives skin its color. This damage is a major cause of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States.
Early studies found that chemicals containing phenolic and catecholic compounds trigger the immune system to attack healthy melanocytes, causing cell death and loss of pigment at the site of contact.
Studies suggest that vitamin D3 increases tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in vitro [12], which may lead to repigmentation in vitiligo skin lesions. Calcipotriol and tacalcitol, which are vitamin D analogs, are also known to induce repigmentation in patients with vitiligo [13,14].
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.
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 ...
Vitamin supplements can have an opposite effect: for example, an excessive intake of Vitamin C can worsen vitiligo symptoms, so keep it at normal levels. People with vitiligo should keep their Vitamin D levels in the upper range of normal, with exception of conditions causing fat malabsorption.
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.
Several supplements have been studied, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements. Most studies agree that combining vitamin B12, folic acid, and sun exposure is good for inducing repigmentation.