Vitiligo Laser Treatment

Vitiligo is a skin condition that affects one-to-two million Americans of both sexes and all races, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. While its causes are unknown, scientists have so far concluded that vitiligo is more likely to occur in patients with some autoimmune diseases, such as hyperthyroidism, as well as in families with history of the skin condition. Ultrafamous celebrity Michael Jackson had this skin condition, explaining the visible transformation of his skin from its dark African-American color to its all-white tone. Fortunately, laser treatment, as of the turn of the millennium, can effectively treat this disease.

The Vitiligo Skin Condition

Vitiligo causes white patches to appear on the skin, usually starting with areas of the skin most exposed to the sun, such as the face, arms, neck, chest, feet and lips, and later affecting other areas of the body. It is a condition of hypopigmentation, meaning that the cells responsible for skin pigmentation (natural color), called melanocytes, are destroyed. The destruction of these cells spreads, increasing the size and quantity of the white patches.

Function of Laser Treatment

Laser treatment uses advanced laser technology and technique to target the damaged skin cells. The high-intensity laser beams penetrate the skin's surface in the affected areas, ridding the old, useless cells, and stimulating the growth of new pigment cells. The new cells increasingly populate the white patches, restoring the patient's original, natural skin color.

Significance

Before laser treatment, creams, oral medicines and ultraviolet (UV) light treatment were used to correct vitiligo skin patches, aiming to cease its spread and restore natural pigmentation. However, according to Dr. Max Gomez's January 2009 CBS Broadcast article, "Laser Treatment Offers Hope For Vitiligo Patients," these treatments have not shown any significant effect on restoring the skin's pigment cells. The most effective solutions for moderate to severe cases of vitiligo involved whitening all of the patient's skin (as in the case of Michael Jackson), so that the patient could at least achieve an even-toned skin color. Laser treatment actually aims to rid the white spots and restore the patient's original skin pigmentation.

Effectiveness

Laser treatment is highly effective. Dr. Bruce Katz, of Juva Skin and Laser Center in New York, reported in the "Laser Treatment Offers Hope for Vitiligo Patients" CBS Broadcast that his vitiligo patients have experienced a 70 percent to 80 percent success rate with getting their color back with laser treatment. "Medical News Today" reported on the effects of laser treatment on vitiligo in 2004, saying that a study conducted in France showed 100 percent effectiveness of laser treatment combined with ointment on treating 23 patients with moderate vitiligo lesions; while laser treatment without the ointment supplement showed pigmentation restoration in 85 percent of the patients in the study.

Cost

The 2009 CBS Broadcast by Dr. Max Gomez reports that laser treatment for vitiligo can cost over $1000, depending on the condition's severity. Multiple treatments are usually necessary, and up to 10 treatments may be required to restore the original skin pigmentation. While new vitiligo spots may occur, laser treatment that restores color to white patches creates lasting effects.

References

• CBS Braodcasting: "Laser Treatment Offers Hope For Vitiligo Patients," by Dr. Max Gomez, Jan. 27, 2009.
• Medical News Today: "Combination laser and ointment therapy effective in treating vitiligo," by Thierry Passeron, M.D., Sept. 21, 2004
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease: Vitiligo