Skin Lightening Disorder

Vitiligo is a skin lightening disorder that affects people of all races and both genders With this disorder, melanin, the dark pigment responsible for giving color to skin, hair, eyebrows and the retina, stops producing pigment. The disease appears anywhere on the body.

Identification

According to the Mayo Clinic, vitiligo is characterized by depigmentation, which is the skin, hair and eyebrows losing their color.

Theories/Speculation

Researchers do not known exactly what causes vitiligo. One theory is that with this disease, the pigment cells, called melanin are destroyed, die or the body stops producing these cells.

Treatments

There are many remedies for vitiligo. Prescription topical ointments are used. In some cases, the skin regains color. Other treatments involve using the ointments with ultraviolet light. There are also supplement versions of the ointments.

Time Frame

Treatments slow down or in some cases reverse the symptoms of vitiligo. This process usually takes 12 to 18 months.

Warning

The Mayo Clinic reports that some of the chemicals used in the topical ointments for treatment vitiligo are thought to increase the risk of skin cancer or lymphoma.

References

• Vitiligo