Anti-inflammatory creams, such as corticosteroids. These medications are suitable for adults and children (in a lower dose), but they do have the potential to cause a streaky appearance in the skin or make the skin dry and brittle after using the medication for a year or longer. Topical corticosteroids can also cause folliculitis, skin atrophy, and telangiectasia. Immune system medications, such as tacrolimus or pimecrolimus. This works best for small patches of vitiligo on the face and neck, and you can combine this type of medication with light therapy. However, be aware that there may be a link between these drugs, skin cancer, and lymphoma. [2] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
If you only have a couple of small areas of vitiligo, your doctor may recommend directing light at the patches with a special UVA laser instead. Light therapy treatments can take between 6 to 12 months to work and you’ll need to go up to 3 times per week. Light therapy paired with topical corticosteroids may be more effective than light therapy alone0.
You can pair phototherapy with topical corticosteroids or tacrolimus. There may also be PUVA treatment available, which is combining the medicine psoralen with UVA light therapy, but it has more risk of phototoxicity, gastrointestinal discomfort, and risk of cancer.
Skin grafting. This involves taking a very small piece of normally pigmented skin from one part of your body and transplanting it to an area that has lost its pigment. Risks of this procedure include scarring, infection, failure of the patch to recolor the skin, and a cobblestone-like appearance to the skin. Blister grafting. This involves creating a blister with suction over an area of normally pigmented skin, then removing the blister and transplanting it to the depigmented skin. This can result in scarring and a cobblestone-like appearance to the skin. Tattooing, also known as micropigmentation. This treatment involves implanting pigment in the affected areas. This may be a good option if you have lost pigment in your lips. [6] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Make sure to ask your doctor before combining ginkgo biloba with other treatment methods, such as topical medications or light therapy.
Avoid taking mega-doses of any type of vitamin. Do not exceed 100% of the recommended daily allowance of any vitamin.
You may be able to gain similar benefits by drinking 1 to 2 cups of green tea each day.
It may take 3 months or longer to see an improvement in your skin from this supplement.
Keep in mind that the patches may still be visible, but the makeup should help to make them less noticeable. This can be a time-consuming strategy if you have vitiligo over large areas of your body. It’s best suited for covering patches on your face and neck.
Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
You’ll need to apply the cream once or twice daily for up to 9 months to see results. [15] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Some areas of the skin may regain pigment after you bleach them, so you may need to reapply the bleaching cream again if this happens.
Make sure to reapply the sunscreen every 90 minutes, or whenever you get wet or sweaty.
