The skin is like a canvas, a living work of art that holds both our health and emotions.
But what would happen if white paint were suddenly scattered randomly across that canvas?
Vitiligo, which I’ll talk about today, is a chronic skin condition that forms white patches on the skin and appears when melanocytes are lost.
Melanin is an important factor that determines skin color.
So when melanin like this is lost, mottled white patches appear on the skin.
And the white patches that appear because of this do not simply end with a change in skin color.
First of all, vitiligo has symptoms that appear externally as they are, so it can have a serious negative effect on appearance.
In particular, if symptoms appear on frequently exposed areas such as the face, hands, and neck, it can cause severe appearance-related complexes to the point that you become extremely sensitive about meeting other people.
It can even lead to psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression, as people begin worrying, “What if these patches spread further?”
If you are reading this now, you may also be feeling stressed because of vitiligo symptoms like these.
Today, I’ll explain in detail the causes of vitiligo, treatment methods, and precautions during treatment, so please read today’s column closely.
-
Causes of vitiligo
-
Vitiligo light therapy methods
-
How to manage vitiligo to prevent recurrence after treatment

Seoul skin vitiligo treatment method recommendation
Vitiligo: Here is what causes it.
Our body has a smart police force called the immune system.
It fights off viruses and bacteria that invade from the outside and acts like a strong guardian that protects our health.
But what if this police force suddenly loses its way and attacks the body’s normal cells?
First, when an autoimmune reaction occurs in the body, the immune system attacks melanocytes, which produce skin pigment, causing the skin to lose its original color and become white or depigmented.
In addition, as time passes, the speed at which symptoms progress can accelerate, and the area of depigmented patches can rapidly widen.
Vitiligo is also known to be closely related to genetic factors, and it has been reported that certain genes increase the likelihood of developing vitiligo.
Lastly, ultraviolet rays that we are constantly exposed to, or sunburn caused by strong sunlight, as well as physical and chemical irritation, are also being cited as causes of vitiligo.

Seoul skin vitiligo treatment method recommendation
Vitiligo: What is light therapy?
Depending on the severity of symptoms, various treatments may be used for vitiligo. The light therapy explained today is a skin treatment method that uses light.
Light therapy is broadly divided into photochemotherapy with ultraviolet light and excimer laser treatment.
Photochemotherapy with ultraviolet light is a treatment method that utilizes the anti-inflammatory function of sunlight, and it has the characteristic of acting evenly across the skin.
However, if depigmented patches have appeared in localized areas, excimer laser treatment rather than photochemotherapy with ultraviolet light may be necessary.
Excimer laser treatment is a treatment method that uses 308nm light, and by stimulating melanocytes in the skin, it has the characteristic of gradually helping to reduce white patches.
In addition, because the laser irradiation range can be adjusted to match the lesion area, it has the advantage of having less effect on the surrounding normal skin tissue.
However, if too much light is irradiated, the skin may instead suffer various kinds of irritation, so it may be advisable to irradiate an appropriate amount of light according to the lesion area.

Seoul skin vitiligo treatment method recommendation
Vitiligo: Why management is important
As mentioned earlier, vitiligo is a skin condition that appears when melanocytes in the skin are lost.
And once melanocytes are lost, they are difficult to regenerate naturally.
In particular, if autoimmune reactions continue to occur, melanocytes may be lost again after treatment, making symptoms easy to recur.
Managing the immune system is essential to prevent vitiligo from recurring.
First of all, excessive stress can disrupt the immune system, so it is better to manage stress through 충분한 rest and healthy hobbies.
Exercises such as yoga, walking, and light stretching may also help.
In addition, strong ultraviolet rays can irritate the skin and further damage melanocytes, so it is better to apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher regardless of the season.
Also, it may be advisable to avoid going out between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when ultraviolet rays are strongest, and if you must go বাইরে, please apply sunscreen carefully and protect your skin with a hat and sunglasses.
Lastly, vitiligo also reacts sensitively to physical irritation, trauma, and chemical substances.
Therefore, when using strong detergents or cosmetics, please be careful not to irritate the skin.

Vitiligo is not simply a condition in which white patches appear on the skin.
In particular, since the symptoms and progression speed vary greatly from person to person, it is important to understand them in detail and establish a treatment plan accordingly.
Also, because the treatment intensity and number of sessions that may be applied can differ slightly depending on whether the vitiligo is localized, generalized, or segmental, please visit a clinic that makes the best effort to perform a thorough skin examination so that as many factors as possible can be checked in detail.
I hope the information shared today will be helpful to readers, and I’ll end the article here.
If you have any additional questions, please ask in the comments.
I will kindly help answer them. Thank you.
| This post was written for informational purposes in compliance with Article 56, Paragraphs 1 to 15 of the Medical Service Act. All treatments carry a risk of side effects and complications depending on the individual. Before treatment, please be sure to make a sufficient consultation with a medical professional with extensive experience before making a decision. |