Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a non-contagious disease in which the pigment cells or melanocytes are destroyed resulting in loss of melanin pigment. Hypopigmentated areas of irregularly shaped white patches appear on the skin.

Vitiligo is usually symmetrical and bilateral, although vitiligo may also be segmental, in which pigment loss is in cutaneous segments supplied by a nerve. The severity of pigment loss and the beginning of vitiligo differs with each client. Any or all the body surface may be affected. Common site of pigment loss are exposed areas of the body including:

- Body folds, such as the armpit, inside the elbow or knee joint or groin

- Around the orifices, specifically, the eyes nostrils, mouth, umbilicus, and genitalia

- Sites of trauma and recent injury, burns, scrapes, and cuts

- Exposed regions, such as, the face, backs of hands, and the neck

Moreover, semi permanent make-up or camouflage can be used to restore a pigmented appearance to lesional skin. In clients in which vitiligo affects extensive areas of the body, depigmentation may be the treatment of choice. In all, this acquired pigmentary disorder can be treated in a variety of ways and should not be regarded as an untreatable affliction.

Camouflaging skin afflicted with vitiligo is a challenge even for the most experienced semi permanent make-up professional. Care should be taken never to attempt to micropigment an afflicted area, which is too large (say larger than the size of a 10p coin). In addition, the vitiligo condition should be stable meaning there has been no sign of pigmentation loss in the past year.