Vitiligo Surgery
Vitiligo surgery encompasses several surgical techniques aimed at repigmenting areas affected by vitiligo, a skin disorder characterized by the loss of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing pigment in the skin. These surgical procedures are typically considered when other treatments, such as topical medications or phototherapy, have not yielded satisfactory results in restoring pigment to the affected areas.
At Ayla Skin and Hair Clinic, our specialized dermatologists offer various surgical options for vitiligo treatment, tailored to each patient’s unique condition, extent of vitiligo, and treatment goals.
Here’s how Ayla Skin and Hair Clinic can help with vitiligo surgery:
Comprehensive Evaluation: Our dermatologists conduct a thorough evaluation of your vitiligo, assessing the extent and severity of depigmentation, as well as factors such as skin type, age, and medical history. This evaluation helps determine the most appropriate surgical approach and treatment plan for your specific needs.
Surgical Options: We offer several surgical techniques for vitiligo treatment, including:
- Skin Grafting: In this procedure, healthy skin containing melanocytes is harvested from another part of the body (donor site) and transplanted to the depigmented areas. Skin grafting can be performed using various techniques, such as punch grafting, split-thickness grafting, or suction blister grafting.
- Melanocyte Transplantation: Melanocyte transplantation involves isolating melanocytes from a donor site, such as the patient’s healthy skin or a tissue bank, and transferring them to the depigmented areas using techniques like cellular suspension transplantation or cultured melanocyte transplantation.
- Non-cultured Epidermal Suspension (NCES) Technique: NCES involves taking a small sample of the patient’s healthy skin, processing it to obtain epidermal cells containing melanocytes, and suspending them in a solution for application to the vitiligo patches.
- Tattooing (Micropigmentation): In some cases, medical tattooing or micropigmentation may be used to camouflage depigmented areas by tattooing pigment into the skin to match the surrounding skin tone.
Patient Education: Our dermatologists take the time to educate patients about the surgical options available for vitiligo treatment, including the benefits, risks, and expected outcomes of each procedure. We discuss realistic expectations and address any concerns or questions you may have to ensure informed decision-making.
Preparation and Aftercare: Prior to surgery, our dermatologists provide detailed instructions on pre-operative preparation and post-operative care to optimize surgical outcomes and promote proper healing. We guide patients through the recovery process, including wound care, sun protection, and follow-up appointments.
Long-term Management: Vitiligo surgery is often part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include ongoing maintenance therapy and monitoring. Our dermatologists work closely with patients to develop long-term management strategies to minimize disease progression and maintain repigmentation results over time.