What is a Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes ( the cells that make skin colour ) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. The hair that grows in areas affected by Vitiligo usually turns white.

Vitiligo is a relatively common skin condition. It affects at least 1-2% of the population or 1-2 in every 100 people in nearly every country in the world. Vitiligo can cause extreme distress and psychological depression to sufferers because of its obvious unusual appearance. It affects people of both gender and all races. It can begin at any age, however, about fifty percent of people with Vitiligo develop it before the age of twenty five. You cannot get Vitiligo from someone who is affected. It is not infectious or contagious. But it can be hereditary (parents to their children).

What Treatment options are available ?

The goal of treating Vitiligo is to restore the function of the skin and to improve the patient’s appearance. The choice of therapy & duration of treatment depends on the number of white patches and how widespread they are and on the patient’s preference for treatment, it can be cured as early as 3 to 4 months and takes longer upto 18 months for larger patches. Each patient responds differently to therapy, and a particular treatment may not work for everyone.

Dr. Sarin’s COSMODERMA Special Vitiligo Treatments: 

Medical Therapies:

  • Topical steroid therapy
  • Phototherapy
  • Topical PUVA
  • Oral PUVA
  • BroadBand UVB
  • NarrowBand ( 311nm ) UVB Advanced Phototherapy
  •  NarrowBand UltraViolet B Phototherapy (NB-UVB)
  •  Targeted BB UVB / NB – UVB Phototherapy

Surgical Therapies:

  •  Autologous Ultra thin Epidermal skin Grafts (UTEG)
  •  Skin grafts using blisters
  •  Autologous melanocyte transplants

Adjunctive Treatments:

  • Cosmetic camouflage DERMACOLOR … Germany
  • Counseling and support

NB UVB Phototherapy is one the latest technology used for the treat ment of Vitiligo. At Dr. Sarin’s COSMODERMA we use the latest NB-UVB  chambers and Targeted Phototherapy BB UVB / NB UVB system which are US-FDA Approved.

We use a 24 tubes (12 NB UVB / 12 UVA) Highly advanced system which provides a much faster cure and requires lesser exposure time and treatment visits compared to 8 tubes systems which are commonly available in other hospitals. NB UVB has many advantages over older systems like PUVA and Broad Band UVB.

In the past many doctors have treated Psoriasis and Vitiligo using the PUVA system which involved taking Psoralen pills and the use of Ultra Violet A light exposure. However the side effects with use of PUVA system was high and unbearable to many patients. Patients taking PUVA system had to wear sun-protective glasses when exposed to sunlight even after treatment.

Psoralen tablet related side effects often makes the patient discontinue the treatment before complete course is given. Many patients experience disturbance in vision and can develop cataract, Increased risk of skin aging, darkening of skin and skin cancer with long-term treatment. All of these side effects are overcome by NB UVB systems.

Uses of NB – UVB Phototherapy: 

  • Vitiligo
  • Psoriasis
  • Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema
  • Lichen Planus
  • Pityriasis lichenoides chronica
  • Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta
  • Mycosis fungoides
  • Uraemic Pruritus
  • Post inflammatory Hypopigmentation
  • Dermatitis
  • Morphea

Instructions:

  • Regular treatment as instructed by the dermatologist must be followed
  • Tell the doctor about your health problems, including eye disease
  • Let the doctor know if you take any medications
  • Do not apply any ointments or cosmetics (especially perfumes and coal tar products) except as directed by your doctor or UVB staff
  • Get appointment to be seen by your dermatologist

Dr. Sarin’s COSMODERMA  various Phototherapy options:

  • NarrowBand ( 311nm ) UVB Advanced Phototherapy
  • UVA + Psoralen Phototherapy
  • Targeted Bb UVB / Nb UVB Lumera Phototherapy
  • We also have Handheld Device system for scalp Psoriasis and Vitiligo
  • For Patients with lesions only on the arms and legs or a particular area of the body we have Hand and Foot cum Panel NB UVB unit

Advantages of Narrowband UV-B over PUVA therapy & other treatments:

  • Shorter treatment duration
  • No need for eye protection from sun after treatment
  • No oral drugs required (no systemic side effects)
  • Less Exposure Time
  • No darkening of skin seen after completion of treatment
  • Very Safe to use in children and pregnant women
  • The No Side effect advantage gives better patient compliance & encourages the patient to take the full and complete course

Targeted UVB/Nb UVB Phtotherapy

Daavlin targeted Phototherapy has been imported from the U.S.A for the treatment of localised Psoriasis, Vitiligo / Leucoderma and other phototherapy treatable conditions.

The targeted system delivers exceptional comfort, ease of use and shorter exposure. It is a metal halide UVB energy delivery system for precise and safe phototherapy of psoriasis, vitiligo and atopic eczema.The Fiber optic delivery system can also treat lesions which are in the scalp without the need for the patient to shave the head.

It’s a boon for patients who have localized vitiligo or leucodermatous patch and want a faster recovery from the condition. Compared to conventional phototherapy which requires a regular weekly thrice visit to the clinic for 6 – 8 months, Lumera is done only 4 – 8 times a month for 2 – 3 months reducing the number of visits to the clinic and delivering a quicker and faster cure of the condition. for patients.

  • The  Beam localizes the treatment to areas where hair is not a barrier.
  • Pinpoints phototherapy to small lesions for targeted exposure.
  • A variety of output patterns allows you to shape light precisely to affected areas.
  • Precision output profiles spare border areas from double exposure and treat lesional skin tissue without affecting non-involved skin areas.
  • Leading-edge technology delivers energy through 55 fiberoptic filaments in a hairbrush pattern.
  • Light-conducting spheres at the end of each filament focus light directly on the scalp, bypassing the hair.
  • Scalp therapy with the Lumera Brush reduces unnecessary face, ear, and neck exposure.

Uses of  Phototherapy:

  • Localised Type of
  • Psoriasis
  • Vitiligo
  • Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema
  • Lichen Planus
  • Pityriasis alba
  • Post inflammatory Hypopigmentation
  • Post Laser Hypomelanosis

Instructions:

  • Regular treatment as instructed by the dermatologist must be followed.
  • Do not apply any ointments or cosmetics (especially perfumes and coal tar products) except as directed by your doctor or UVB staff.
  • Get appointment to be seen by your dermatologist.

Advantages of Targeted Phototherapy over other treatments:

  • Shorter treatment duration,
  • Cost effective
  • Less Exposure Time
  • Only weekly visit to the clinic
  • Very Safe to use in children and pregnant women
  • Even children who can’t use the chamber phototherapy can be treated with Lumera phototherapy