Vitiligo has no permanent cure. The lack of pigmentation that occurs due to the death of melanin cells that are responsible for it cannot be reversed. There has always been a stigma around Vitiligo that makes people lose their self-esteem and confidence. People with Vitiligo can embrace their life either by owning their unique patches or by hiding it to feel confident.
There is no actual cure for Vitiligo in medical science. It can be controlled with proper nutrition and healthy life choices, but if you are looking for ways you can hide your Vitiligo permanently, read on to know more.
- Cosmetic Tattoo
Cosmetic tattoos use various pigments and colors that match the skin tone and color of the person. These colors are injected into the skin through special techniques. Like a common tattoo, these colors cannot be washed off. The option is best for covering small patches of discoloration due to Vitiligo and works better for people with darker skin tone.
- Semi-Permanent Makeup Solutions
Various institutions have developed the technology for semi-permanent makeup. Once applied to the skin, this makeup can last for years without washing off. Different pigments are employed in the method to match the skin color and tone of the person.
- Skin Grafting
The process works best for small patches. The unpigmented skin is replaced with the pigmented skin from other parts of the body. One point to keep in mind while choosing this process of grafting is its consequences, as well as its inability to be used for large areas of discoloration.
- Tropical Oxsolaren
Tropical oxsoralen is another cream-based technique that can be used to hide small patches. The oxsoralen cream, once applied on the skin, causes the skin to tan. The color of the unpigmented patches will darken in about 25 to 100 cycles. The process needs long exposure to the sun that can cause sunburn and other such issues. One should follow the doctor’s advice to avoid the development of serious problems such as skin cancer.
- Bleaching
A more drastic approach to hiding vitiligo permanently is to bleach the rest of the body. Various creams are used that encourage the whitening of the rest of the skin, providing you with a much more uniform and even color. It can be a suitable solution for people with darker skin.
- Phototherapy
Phototherapy is considered to be one of the most effective ways to hide Vitiligo permanently. Along with medication, one needs to expose their skin to the sun to absorb the UV rays. The process is effective on large patches as well but is limited to the vitiligo present on the skin of the person. With time, the unpigmented patches start to gain color.
- Corticosteroid creams
The reason for the progression of Vitiligo is the death of pigment cells in the body. With the help of the steroid creams used under this treatment, these cells can be forced to activate again, providing pigmentation to the skin again. The process works for small patches and areas only.
- Microskin Concealers
MicroSkin is a second skin simulation that allows people with Vitiligo to live a normal life. They produce concealers which provide complete coverage to the skin and leave behind a skin-like texture. The concealer lasts for 3-4 days and is extremely light and easy on the skin. Additionally, they also have a wide variety of shades that can easily match a large number of skin tones and shades.
People in India are very opinionated about the color of the skin. It is high time now that we leave such archaic thinking behind and embrace the differences among us. Vitiligo might be non-curable, but with a positive attitude, one can feel comfortable in their skin, no matter what its color is.