In this episode of Skincredible, we discuss how vitiligo care has changed dramatically in just the past few years. Now, there are treatments available to help restore pigment and offer real hope to patients and families, whereas in past years treatments were extremely limited.

Dr. Lisa Swanson takes a deep dive into everything you need to know about modern vitiligotreatment. She discusses that it is perfectly okay to embrace and observe vitiligo if that's what the patient would like, why early treatment is so important if patients do decide to treat, and what realistic expectations look like throughout the repigmentation journey.

Topics include:

• The three goals of vitiligo treatment: stopping progression, restoring pigment, and maintaining results.
• How repigmentation happens and why photos are an essential part of tracking progress.
• Traditional therapies like topical steroids and calcineurin inhibitors, and how they compare to newer treatments.
• How Opzelura® (ruxolitinib cream) has transformed vitiligo care, especially for facial involvement.
• The important role of sunlight and light therapy, including narrowband UVB, excimer laser, and home phototherapy units.
• Why combining treatments often produces the best results.
• Oral medications used for rapidly progressing vitiligo and exciting new JAK inhibitors currently on the horizon.
• Emerging treatments, including biologic medications and surgical pigment-restoration techniques.
• Long-term maintenance strategies
• Why depigmentation is more of a last-resort option.
• Common insurance challenges, practical treatment tips, and how to navigate the path to newer therapies.

Dr. Swanson also shares a powerful patient story that highlight just how life-changing successful vitiligo treatment can be. If you, your child or someone you love is dealing with vitiligo, there is HOPE! If you're a healthcare provider looking to better support your patients, this episode offers the latest evidence-based information, practical guidance, and a hopeful look at the future of vitiligo care.

Additional Links

Panp360.org/boston use code “SKINCREDIBLE” for free registration

Keywords

Dermatology, Marginal Repigmentation, Perifollicular Repigmentation, Difuse Repigmentation, Combined Repigmentation, Topical Corticosteroids, Tacrolimus, Pimecrolimus, Opzelura, Vitiligo, Light Therapy, Sunlight, TSW, Excimer, Narrowband Light, Heliocare, Pulsed Dose Steriods, Oral JAK Inhibitors, Surgery, Depigmentation, Xeljanz, Koebner phenomenon, confetti depigmentation, trichrome pattern depigmentation, Rinvoq, Litfulo, Povorcitinib, Vitiligo Surgery, Skin Graft, Suction Blister Grafting, Punch Biopsy Grafting, Split Thickness Skin Graft, Marginal depigmentation, Segmental vitiligo, non segmental vitiligo, Monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH), monobenzone

Chapters

00:00 Special PANP360 Meeting Announcement for NPs and PAs

02:05 Welcome, Vitiligo Treatments

03:50 Our Differences Make Us Special, Life Lessons

06:30 JUMP Shoutout Boise, Idaho

07:00 To Watch or Treat Vitiligo

08:30 Repigmentation Signals to Look For

10:00 Topical Steroids

12:30 Topical Steroid Withdrawal TSW

15:40 Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors: Tacrolimus, Pimecrolimus

18:40 Topical Opzelura

21:40 Mom With Vitiligo: You Gave Me My Face & Life Back

24:30 Light Therapy & Heliocare

26:30 Vitiligo and Decreased Risk of Skin Cancer

27:00 PUVA In the Past

28:00 Light Therapy

30:00 Narrowband, Excimer and Home Light Therapy

32:00 Oral Pulsed Dose Steroids

34:18 Oral JAK Inhibitors

35:00 Coming Soon: Rinvoq, Litfulo, Povorcitinib

36:00 Biologics Coming Soon

37:15: Surgery

40:00 Segmental vs. Non Segmental Vitiligo

41:00 Tacrolimus for Maintenance

42:00 Never Lose Hope

43:00 Depigmentation, Michael Jackson

44:00 Monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH)

45:00 Accept Each Other, It’s Not Your Fault

46:12 Thank You & Goodbye

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The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your physician regarding your health.