Vitiligo is a disease that causes the immune system to attack melanocytes (cells responsible for skin color). Result: the melanocytes disappear, which causes the appearance of these white spots with well-defined contours.
You should know that usually, the more pigmented the skin, the more it is naturally protected against the sun's rays. The presence of melanocytes is therefore important in relation to UV rays.
However, contrary to what one might think, the sun would be an ally in mitigating the effects of vitiligo in a very specific setting!
Recently, advances in science and medical experimentation have made it possible to confirm the beneficial effect of natural UV rays from the sun and those of artificial UV rays (phototherapy) in reducing the symptoms of the disease in sufferers.
Vitiligo does not cause a higher risk of skin cancer. In fact, studies have shown that people with vitiligo are three times less likely to develop melanomas than the general population, and also have a reduced risk of developing skin carcinomas.
Medical make-up offered by recognized professionals (cf. French Vitiligo Association) can mask depigmented areas. But when the patient wishes to undertake a care protocol by a dermatologist, certain treatments are now recognized to improve, repigment, relieve the patient with vitiligo.
Vitiligo can be treated with creams applied to the lesions or physical treatments with UV radiation. Creams are prescribed first, but if they do not work, phototherapy can be offered. UVB radiation is administered in the cabin or by UV lamp at home or by the Excimer laser. Treatments can take between 6 and 24 months to show satisfactory results, and repigmentation varies depending on the location of the lesions. The areas that respond best are those on the face, while those that affect the hands and feet are the most difficult to repigment.
If creams and UV radiation do not work, it is also possible to combine these two approaches to potentiate their effectiveness.
Additionally, GliSODin is an additional natural solution that can also be used to help reduce the effects of oxidative stress on the skin that is partly responsible for the damage. In addition, to reduce the appearance of white spots, GliSODin has developed the food supplement GliSODin V-SOD . The patented formula contains Melon SOD associated with a wheat protein that accompanies depigmented skin associated with UV to reduce the visibility of white spots on the skin.
Of course, if the sun is not to be avoided, even beneficial for people suffering from vitiligo, a framework must be applied and protection rules must be respected.
Thus, exposure to the sun must be done gradually, with increasing exposure times, until you reach a pinking of the white patches of vitiligo. This must be done in short and controlled times. Talk to your doctor and dermatologist before taking this type of action.
The drug Opzelura (Ruxolitinib) is the first and only approved drug with marketing authorization for vitiligo that will allow dermatologists and doctors to prescribe a specific treatment for this disease. Although this does not mean a cure, it is great news for patients and supports ongoing clinical research for new vitiligo drugs. The disease being complex, different therapeutic approaches are necessary with different possible drugs.
