Vitiligo

About Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition where patches lose colour because the melanocytes responsible for producing melanin are destroyed. It can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity, and can appear on the face, hands, body folds, or around joints. Hair within affected areas may turn grey or white. At Kayakriti, our skin pigmentation treatment begins with a careful clinical examination to identify the type and extent of involvement.

Many myths surround the condition. Vitiligo is not contagious, is not a punishment for past actions, and is not linked to leprosy or skin cancer. Patients with vitiligo are no different physically or mentally from anyone else. Dr. Agarwal counsels patients and families on these points so that decisions about white patches treatment are based on medical understanding rather than social misconception, an important step in the Lucknow context.

Treatment selection depends on the severity, location, stability of patches, and previous response to therapy. Medical options may include topical therapies and phototherapy, suited to active or limited disease. For stable, segmental, or treatment-resistant areas, vitiligo surgery such as skin grafting can be considered. Each plan is tailored after a clinical assessment, with clear discussion of likely outcomes, scarring patterns, and the need for repeated sessions in some cases.

Vitiligo itself is generally not painful, though sunburn risk is higher on depigmented skin. Sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, and avoiding peak sun hours are part of routine guidance. Some patients describe itching before new patches appear. Family history is present in around thirty percent of cases, but inheritance is not a certainty. Long-term follow-up at Kayakriti supports both physical and emotional aspects of living with the condition.

What to expect

• Detailed consultation with Dr. Agarwal to assess patch distribution, stability, and prior treatments.
• Diagnostic evaluation may include Wood's lamp examination and relevant blood investigations.
• On treatment day, medical or surgical procedures are carried out with appropriate anaesthesia and asepsis.
• Post-procedure skin care, dressings, and sun-protection guidance are provided in writing.
• Follow-up reviews track repigmentation progress over weeks to months and adjust the plan as needed.

Recovery

• After grafting, the donor and recipient sites need protection from friction and sun for two to three weeks.
• Strict sunscreen use and protective clothing are essential during recovery and beyond.
• Initial pigmentation changes typically become visible over weeks; full results evolve across several months.
• Repeat sessions or maintenance therapy may be advised based on response and disease activity.