Causes of White Spots at Yeongdeungpo Times Square Dermatology: Vitiligo and Why Early Treatment Is Needed

Are you feeling stressed because of marks on your skin that look like a white shadow has fallen over them?

Each time you look in the mirror, the white spots that stand out may seem like a small change, but they can lead to very serious concern.

And that kind of worry is a completely natural feeling.

Vitiligo is a skin condition that forms white spots on various parts of the skin.

This issue also does not end with a simple change in appearance.

First, because the symptoms are visible from the outside, other people's gaze can feel burdensome, and as a result, confidence and self-esteem can drop sharply.

And this can be thought of like a weed that appears as an unwelcome guest in a beautifully arranged garden.

It can even come with the burden of having to explain the condition you are dealing with.

But vitiligo is not something that determines our worth, and improvement can be expected through steady care and treatment.

If any of you reading this post from Yeongdeungpo Times Square Dermatology are suffering from symptoms of vitiligo, please read the rest of this article to the end.

I believe it may be helpful when planning treatment.

• Today's column outline -

1. Symptoms by type of vitiligo
2. Causes of vitiligo
3. Vitiligo treatment method (excimer laser treatment)

Vitiligo is divided into several types.

At first glance, vitiligo may seem like just simple white spots.

However, vitiligo is more than simple discoloration.

Various types and complex patterns are hidden within vitiligo.

First, vitiligo is classified very differently depending on its shape, location, and pattern of occurrence.

Among them, segmental vitiligo often appears confined to a specific area, and in the early stage of onset it may progress quickly, but after about one year the symptoms may become somewhat stable.

On the other hand, non-segmental vitiligo is not limited to a specific area and can spread in an irregular pattern, with the characteristic that it is difficult to predict where the symptoms will progress.

In severe cases, the symptoms can spread throughout the body, and body hair can also become white and lose pigment.

So why does vitiligo happen in the first place?

Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition that develops through a complex interaction of external and internal factors.

Among these many factors, the body's immune system is known to have a critical impact.

Our body is protected by a security system called the immune system.

However, when this immune system receives the wrong signal and attacks the body's own cells, various abnormalities can occur throughout the body.

In particular, when it recognizes and attacks melanocytes, the cells that make skin pigment, white spots with clear boundaries can form in patches on the skin.

However, as mentioned earlier, vitiligo does not occur for just one reason; many different factors act together.

First, vitiligo is closely related to chemical and physical irritation, and frequent hair dyeing can also be a cause of vitiligo.

In particular, when the skin is injured, pigment loss can occur in that area, leading to Koebner-type vitiligo.

Vitiligo: why is early treatment necessary?

Once melanin pigment has been lost, it does not recover on its own no matter how much effort is made.

In addition, depending on the type of condition, the rate of melanin loss can accelerate.

In short, symptoms can gradually worsen over time.

This is why even a small depigmented patch should be treated as soon as possible.

Many different methods can be applied to vitiligo treatment, but the treatment I will explain today is "excimer laser treatment," which uses a specific kind of energy.

The excimer laser uses ultraviolet light at a specific wavelength of 308 nm to suppress the skin's immune response and stimulate melanocytes so they can produce new pigment again.

It also targets only the affected area, and because the laser irradiation range can be finely adjusted according to the size of the lesion, it has the advantage of having relatively little effect on normal skin tissue.

However, the expected effect may appear a little more slowly in distal areas such as the hands and feet, so please keep this in mind when planning treatment.

Vitiligo is not something that ends once treatment is finished.

Because vitiligo is considered a skin condition with a relatively high chance of recurrence, ongoing management is recommended.

First, exposure to sunlight can stimulate melanocytes and easily damage the skin.

In addition, patients who have had vitiligo may be more vulnerable to UV damage.

Therefore, regardless of the season, it is advisable to use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and it may be wise to protect the skin with a hat and long clothing.

Also, since stress is one of the main causes that can worsen autoimmune reactions, it is good to find peace of mind through yoga, meditation, or light exercise.

Lastly, through regular checkups, you should consistently monitor whether vitiligo has recurred or whether existing lesions have enlarged again.

If you have any questions beyond what was shared today by Yeongdeungpo Times Square Dermatology, please inquire through the comment box below.

We will kindly answer.

Thank you for reading the Yeongdeungpo Times Square Dermatology post to the end.

| This post was written for informational purposes in compliance with Article 56, Paragraphs 1 to 15 of the Medical Service Act. All treatments carry the risk of side effects and complications depending on the individual. Before treatment, be sure to have a thorough consultation with experienced medical staff before making a decision. |