Vitiligo treatment may be performed through surgery, light therapy, topical creams or other alternative remedies. The optimal course of treatment will depend on each patient in part and the number of the areas affected by discoloration. Psoralen Photochemotherapy (or PUVA) can be used in certain patients and will aim at stimulating the pigmentation of the skin. This treatment is considered safe and has high chances of success.
Psoralen Photochemotherapy
Psoralen Photochemotherapy, also known as PUVA (psoralen + UVA), has been used as a treatment for vitiligo for many years. The psoralens are substances that are present in the nature and will be effective in stimulating the skin pigmentation. Psoralens are commonly found in the seeds of Psoralen, but also in fig seeds, celery or sandalwood. They may also be produced synthetically.
The substance is applied on the skin and the skin should be exposed to UV rays, which should activate the pigments of the skin. The substance will also absorb the UV rays. The exposure to UV rays can be made at a clinic or naturally, but the patient should get a lot of exposure for the treatment to work.
Sunscreen should be used if the patient will choose to be exposed to natural UV rays, so that the sun exposure won’t have any other negative effects on the skin.
Other Uses of PUVA
The psoralen photochemotherapy may also be used in other skin conditions such as:
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- T-cell lymphoma manifested on the skin
