Science of de-pigmentation

Vitiligo or leukoderma is a chronic skin disease that causes loss of pigment, resulting in irregular pale patches of skin. The precise cause of the disease though is complex and not fully understood but there is some evidence suggesting it is caused by a combination of auto-immune, genetic, and environmental factors: By Dr Hena Jawaid  

Vitiligo is the skin condition which results from loss of pigment that produces white patches. Common areas of involvement are the face, lips, hands, arms, legs, and genital areas, but in general every part of the body may be affected. The disease may occur with other autoimmune diseases, diseases in which immunity turns against ones own body.

Melanocytes are the cells, that produced the pigment which determines colour of skin, hair, and eyes, the Melanin. If these cells die or are unable to form melanin then the skin becomes lighter in colour. The degree of pigment loss can vary within each vitiligo patch. Vitiligo begins with a rapid loss of pigment. This may continue until, for unknown reasons, the process stops. Cycles of pigment loss, followed by times where the pigment doesn't change, may continue indefinitely. Some people who believe they no longer have vitiligo actually have lost all their pigment and no longer have patches of contrasting skin colour. Although their skin is all one colour, they still have the disease.

There is no way to predict how much pigment an individual will lose. The course and severity of pigment loss differ with each person. Light-skinned people usually notice the contrast between areas of vitiligo and suntanned skin in the summer. Vitiligo is more apparent in people with darker skin. Individuals with severe cases can loss pigment all over the body.

In fair-skinned individuals, avoiding tanning of normal skin can make areas of Vitiligo almost unnoticeable because the (no pigment) white skin, of the disease has no natural protection from sun. These areas are easily sunburned, and people with vitiligo have an increased risk to skin cancer. They should wear a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 on all areas which are not covered with cloths. Avoid the sun when it is most intense to avoid burns.

The primary goal of therapy is to bring back the skinís colour by restoring melanocytes in the skin. Repigmentation of the skin with melanocytes allows the skin to regain its normal immune or inflammatory functions and improves the appearance.

There is no easy treatment of the disease. Cover-up cosmetics work well. Mask vitiligo with make-up, self-tanning compounds or dyes is a way to make it less noticeable. Waterproof cosmetics to match almost all skin colours are available.

Stains that dye the skin can be used to colour the white patches to more closely match normal skin colour. These stains gradually wear off. Self-tanning compounds contain a chemical called dihydroxyacetone that does not need melanocytes to make the skin a tan colour. The colour from self-tanning creams also slowly wears off. None of these change the disease, but they can improve appearance. Micropigmentation tattooing of small areas may be helpful.

If sunscreens and cover-ups are not satisfactory, your doctor may recommend other treatment. Treatment can be aimed at returning normal pigment (repigmentation) or destroying remaining pigment (depigmentation). But none of the repigmentation methods are.

Source: The News