Treatment For Vitiligo in Philadelphia

Vitiligo is a condition that causes a decrease in skin pigmentation that results in white patches on visible areas of the body. This autoimmune skin condition is indiscriminate and affects men, women, and children, and can negatively affect self-esteem and confidence. Philly’s Dr. Margo Weishar is a board-certified dermatologist experienced in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vitiligo. She offers comprehensive cosmetic and medical dermatology services throughout Bucks County and Montgomery County.

Vitiligo Symptoms and Causes

The most apparent symptom is the loss of pigment in the skin due to the body’s immune system attacking its own melanocytes. The condition can affect all areas of the body and often show up as white patches on the hands, arms, face, and feet and is most visible in darker skin tones.

You are more likely to get vitiligo if someone in your family has it. Additionally, skin injury, severe sunburn, and chemicals may also trigger an autoimmune response that attacks the melanocytes.

Vitiligo can also be an indicator of other autoimmune diseases and in severe cases, it may affect hearing and sight. It is therefore advisable to consult a board-certified dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis to ensure effective treatment and management.

How is Vitiligo Diagnosed?

Schedule an appointment with our board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Margo Weishar! She will examine your skin and review your detailed medical history. A Wood’s lamp test may also be done to look at your skin under UV light to avoid any misdiagnosis. She may also request some blood tests and skin biopsy to rule out any other illnesses or autoimmune conditions. Vitiligo treatment is a personal choice that Dr. Weishar will discuss during the consultation.

Vitiligo Treatment Options

The type of treatment largely depends on your objective – do you want to treat the condition or the cosmetics thereof? Some patients may opt for make-up to cover up light patches where melanocytes have died. In contrast, others may choose medical treatment to restore skin color or prevent further loss of melanocytes.

Treatment to Restore Lost Skin Color

There is no cure for vitiligo, and it can take some time before treatment results become visible.

Light Therapy
Your natural skin color can be restored through specialized light therapy such as phototherapy. During this treatment, your skin is exposed to ultraviolet light. Phototherapy is most effective when targeting large areas of the body affected by the loss of skin color. For smaller areas, laser therapy may be more effective. Both laser and phototherapy require a number of repeat sessions. It is ideal for the neck and face areas.
Medication
Prescription corticosteroids and calcipotriene can be effective during the early signs of the condition and are for short-time use only. Other medications include topical ointments such as tacrolimus.
Surgery
Should all other treatment options fail to achieve the desired results, then a skin graft or cell transplant may be considered. During a skin graft, healthy pigmented skin is transplanted to areas affected by pigmentation loss. With the cell transplant, cells from healthy pigmented skin are placed into the area where melanocytes have died to activate the repigmentation of the affected area.

Additionally, some people may choose to focus on vitiligo management options to reduce the spread of white spots, such as prednisone medication. Other options include depigmentation to remove the existing skin color from the body and make-up, self-tanning or skin dyes to even out skin tone.

Why Choose Springhouse Dermatology for Vitiligo Treatment?

Philadelphia Magazine’s Top Doctor, Dr. Margo Weishar, has more than 25 years of experience in helping people fall in love with the skin they are in. She has her own skincare range and understands that each patient is unique, and approaches vitiligo treatment options with her patient’s best interests in mind. Schedule your appointment today and find out more about her non-invasive treatment options.