Home | Vitiligo
of the global cosmetic market is made up of skincare.
of people In the UK have skin disorders or have had them in the past.
of UK adults consider non-surgical cosmetic procedures a regular part of their beauty routine.
Vitiligo causes skin patches by making pigments disappear sporadically. These patches grow bigger as the condition progresses. It affects any skin-covered area of the body, even the tongue & hair.
The condition is neither contagious nor fatal & has no cure. Sometimes, the afflicted skin’s colour may return with treatment. However, it doesn’t stop further skin colour loss or recurrence.
Vitiligo affects about 0.5% to 1% of people worldwide. However, many cases are undocumented, leading some researchers to believe the actual affliction rate to be up to 1.5%.
This article explores the condition & how it affects the human body.
Scientists consider vitiligo an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks its tissues.It occurs when a portion of the immune system begins to target & kill the skin’s melanocytes, which causes white patches to appear.
Why does the immune system of the body ever target healthy skin cells? Although the answer to this topic is still up for debate, it appears likely that both genetics & environmental stimuli contribute.
The following factors are known to increase the risk for vitiligo:
Family History & Genes
A specific genetic profile increases the risk of developing vitiligo. In a study, about 20% of patients had at least one close relative with this skin condition.
Vitiligo appears in over 30 gene variations, including NLRP1 & PTPN22. These play a role in inflammation & immune system modulation.
Environmental Triggers
According to a paper in F1000 Research, potential triggers include sunlight, exposure to particular chemicals, & stress or injury to the skin. These catalysts can also cause vitiligo in those who already have the condition to spread.
An Existing Autoimmune Disease
Vitiligo is common in people with specific autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes, thyroid illness, & rheumatoid arthritis.
People with Hashimoto’s disease or alopecia areata are also more likely to develop the condition.
The emergence of light or “depigmented” patches on the skin is the most obvious indication that someone may have vitiligo.
Melanin is the skin’s natural colour pigment, & areas with little or none appear as pale patches.
These spots may initially occur on exposed skin, such as the arms, face, feet, & h&s, but they can appear elsewhere on the body.
However, it’s not unusual for white spots to develop in the armpits, belly button area, & groin.
Other signs of vitiligo can include:
Premature greying or whitening of the hair
Eyebrows or eyelashes turning white & losing colour
Colour alterations in the retina of the eye
Inflammation of the eyes or ears, which causes visual issues & hearing loss
The location, spread, & growth of skin patches are not the same among patients.
There are two forms of vitiligo.
Non-segmental Vitiligo
Vitiligo typically manifests as pale skin patches on both sides of the body. The earliest symptoms may appear on the h&s, wrists, eyes, lips, or feet. This form is also known as bilateral or generalized vitiligo or Vitiligo Vulgaris.
Experts classify the subtypes of non-segmental vitiligo by its manifestation. These include localized or focal vitiligo, which only affects a small portion of the body. Acrofacial Vitiligo affects the h&s, feet, & face. Mucosal Vitiligo affects the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, & genitals of the patient.
The last category is Universal Vitiligo which affects 80 to 90% of the person’s skin.
Segmental Vitiligo
About 16% of vitiligo patients have segmental vitiligo. Early childhood can reveal the onset of segmented vitiligo. It could move swiftly for six months to two years before stopping. Years later, under extraordinary circumstances, this kind of vitiligo may recur.
Additionally, you can have mixed vitiligo. This combines segmental & non-segmental vitiligo. Vitiligo can cause psychological suffering, which can become something else if overlooked.
Many vitiligo sufferers experience issues with confidence, self-worth, & social anxiety. It is more challenging if the condition affects regions of the skin that are difficult to cover up with clothing or conceal with cosmetics.
While there is currently no method to stop vitiligo from developing, there are things you may use to prevent symptoms from getting worse. Patients should use sunscreen, look for shade, & wear clothing that blocks UV radiation to shield their skin from the sun & UV light.
According to the AAD, getting tattoos & sustaining cuts, scrapes, or burns can cause patches of vitiligo in certain people. In general, strive to keep your skin from becoming hurt.
Visit one of our London clinics to find safe and effective solutions for your skin.
0% Finance on all our skin treatments at both clinics!
EXCELLENT Based on 156 reviews Tahnee Wright2025-01-16Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an exceptional experience at the Artistry Clonic! Dr. Majid’s hour-long consultation was thorough - he took the time to listen to my concerns, explain all my options, and ensure I felt comfortable with the proposed treatments. His expertise and personalized approach gave me full confidence in his recommendations. The clinic itself is immaculate, welcoming, and professional. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking top-tier aesthetic care! Vivian2024-11-02Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have had a few treatments with Sarah each time I have left feeling extremely happy. Can't wait to see the results from the latest laser treatment that I had R Abraham2024-11-02Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been going to Dr Sarah's clinic since 2014 and I must say everytime I go there for any treatment particularly fillers I am always amazed and extremely happy with the results. Dr Sarah is one of the best in the industry and I must say I have tried few others in the past and was dissapointed. She does her job with extreme love and care and I have never felt safer and relaxed elsewhere. I highly recommend this amazing Lady to anyone who is looking for any treatments. The Teams are very friendly and always promp with any queries. Kavita2024-10-31Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As a repeat customer I have always appreciated Dr Sarah’s considered advice, focus on delivering a natural looking result and time she takes to answer questions. Aline Lima2024-10-31Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been a few times now to see Dr. Sarah and I love it. She is very resourceful and I really trust her on helping me to pick the right treatments. She makes sure I get the results and look as natural as possible, which I find very important. Yesterday I had a laser done, she made sure it was adjusted so I wouldn’t feel too uncomfortable as I was worried if it would be painful. I left the clinic and was able to go for dinner, the downtime was much easier than I expected, I am super happy about it! Yaiza Naíla Torreiro Villarino2024-10-19Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have loved my experience thus far. Dr Majid is absolutely amazing - you can tell he knows his craft inside out, he takes the time to explain how things work and why he's going to do things in a certain way. The results I have had for my TMD so far are really good. He's also a nice person to be around and I'm very thankful for his time and insight helping with my problem. Marc Davidson2024-10-11Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic doctors and staff. I have been coming here for many years and the level of service and quality of care has remained first class throughout that time. Before finding the Artistry Clinic, I visited a few other practices in Harley Street but they don’t even come close to just how welcome and valued as a patient you are made to feel here. Both Dr.s Sarah and Majid are exceptional at what they do, genuinely care and with impeccable bedside manners are role model doctors. Jenny Osterberg2024-10-04Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely the best, love coming to Majid and his lovely colleagues! S M2024-09-28Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent treatment very happy Rachael2024-08-31Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Really great clinic - doctors are really talented, listen to your needs and not at all pushy. Always pleased with the service.Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Embrace Beautifully Uniform Skin and Bid Farewell to Vitiligo!
At our clinic, we are dedicated to helping you achieve even-toned and flawless skin by addressing vitiligo. These depigmented patches can impact your skin’s appearance and self-confidence.
Request a consultation to explore our personalised vitiligo treatment options and embark on your journey to radiant and confident skin!
Thank you for subscribing! 🌟
Get ready for exclusive updates, offers, and insights.