Precautions for Excimer Laser Treatment for Vitiligo, Explained by a Dermatology Specialist in Yeongdeungpo-gu Office

When the season of blazing sunshine arrives, there is one thing we reach for first.

That is sunscreen.

Sunscreen can help block ultraviolet rays that quietly damage our skin.

It also helps prevent skin aging, and is of great help in preventing melasma, blemishes, and even skin cancer.

Because of this, many people carefully apply sunscreen with a high SPF index to protect their skin.

However, even if you have been diligent about sun protection, various changes can still appear in different areas of the skin.

In particular, if a certain area of the skin has turned white and lost pigment, you may want to suspect a chronic skin condition called vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a skin disease caused by melanin, which determines skin color, and it is characterized by causing clearly defined depigmented patches that can have a significant impact on appearance.

Today, a dermatology specialist in Yeongdeungpo-gu Office would like to share information that may help those suffering from vitiligo symptoms, so please read the following carefully.

-Today's column outline-

1. Causes of vitiligo and prevention methods
2. Differences between segmental vitiligo and non-segmental vitiligo
3. Precautions for excimer laser treatment for vitiligo

Vitiligo is not something you should worry about only in relation to ultraviolet rays.

Our skin is made up of cells that each play their own role, almost like a city.

Among them, melanocytes extend their roots thousands of times a day, sharing pigment with the surrounding cells and helping form a specific skin tone.

However, when immune cells that should be defending against outside invaders such as bacteria and viruses lose their direction and attack healthy melanocytes, certain areas of the skin may become noticeably depigmented.

This is called an autoimmune response.

An autoimmune response generally occurs due to excessive stress, lack of sleep, and nutritional imbalance.

That is why it is advisable to get enough rest and sleep so that stress and fatigue do not build up, and to maintain a psychologically stable state by taking up healthy hobbies.

In addition, external stimuli such as skin trauma and sunburn can also trigger vitiligo through the Koebner phenomenon.

So it is advisable to be careful at every moment to avoid unnecessary irritation to the skin, and when going outside, please apply enough sunscreen to protect your skin.

Information on symptoms by type of vitiligo

The shape, location, and spread of vitiligo can vary depending on the type.

The first type to explain is segmental vitiligo, which is known to account for about 10% of all vitiligo cases, and it is characterized by occurring along a nerve-distributed “segment.”

It spreads very quickly in the early stage, but over time, it may suddenly seem to stop and the symptoms may no longer spread.

On the other hand, non-segmental vitiligo may occur only locally at first, and over time the symptoms can spread throughout the body.

In addition, as the symptoms spread to the fingertips and toes, treatment may take quite a long time.

So if noticeable white spots appear on various parts of the skin, do not delay and visit a hospital for a detailed diagnosis.

What are the precautions for excimer laser treatment for vitiligo?

Melanocytes lost due to an autoimmune response do not recover naturally.

And as mentioned earlier, non-segmental vitiligo has the characteristic that its symptoms can worsen rapidly.

This is exactly why early vitiligo treatment is necessary.

The excimer laser used in vitiligo treatment is a laser device that uses a wavelength of 308 nm, and it may help stimulate melanocytes and activate pigment.

In addition, by controlling inflammatory and immune responses, it can also be very helpful in preventing future recurrence of symptoms.

Furthermore, because the excimer laser directs light specifically to the lesion area, it has the advantage of having less effect on the surrounding normal skin tissue.

However, if the laser is applied excessively, the skin may become red or peel like a burn, so after a sufficient examination process, please proceed with treatment at an intensity that suits you.

The most common pain people with vitiligo experience may be the weight on their mind rather than the skin condition itself.

And if this is left as it is, it can become an even greater source of stress and may lead to various psychological disorders.

So do not think, “It will be the same even if I try treatment,” and instead visit a hospital as soon as possible to plan treatment that matches your condition.

However, vitiligo treatment may proceed in different ways depending on how far the symptoms have progressed, so please first undergo a detailed skin examination.

I hope this column by the dermatology specialist in Yeongdeungpo-gu Office has been helpful to those who are stressed by white spots on their skin, and I will end the article here.

If you have any questions beyond the above, please ask through the comment box below.

I will kindly answer them.

Thank you for reading the post by the dermatology specialist in Yeongdeungpo-gu Office 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 make a sufficient consultation with medical staff who have extensive experience before making your decision. |