Vitiligo and Aesthetic Treatments: What You Need to Know
25 June 2026 is World Vitiligo Day, a global awareness day dedicated to educating the public about this autoimmune skin condition and the challenges faced by people living with it. To mark the occasion, Professor Nicola Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists, answers one of the most common questions she receives from patients with vitiligo.
"The stability of the vitiligo is what guides the approach. A thorough consultation means we can find the safest options for each individual patient." -- Professor Nicola Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist, Institute of Dermatologists
What is vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a condition in which patches of skin lose their natural pigment. This happens because the cells responsible for producing skin colour, known as melanocytes, stop working properly. The result is pale or white patches on the skin, which most commonly appear on the face, hands, and other areas exposed to the sun.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition, meaning the immune system mistakenly targets the body's own pigment cells. It is not contagious, not caused by poor hygiene, and not a reflection of overall health. However, it is associated with other autoimmune conditions, including thyroid disease and alopecia areata.
The condition can be unpredictable. Some people find their vitiligo remains completely stable for years. For others, new patches continue to develop over time.
Why is sun protection so important with vitiligo?
Areas of skin affected by vitiligo contain little to no melanin. Because melanin is the skin's natural defence against UV radiation, these patches have no built-in sun protection. This makes them significantly more vulnerable to sunburn and long-term UV damage.
Professor Nicola Ralph stresses that daily SPF is essential for anyone living with vitiligo, and that this applies all year round, not just in summer. A broad-spectrum SPF 50 applied every morning to all exposed areas is a fundamental part of caring for skin with vitiligo.
Ask ID: Can I Have Aesthetic Treatments if I Have Vitiligo?
This is one of the most frequent questions Professor Nicola Ralph receives from patients with vitiligo who are interested in cosmetic treatments. The answer depends on one key factor: whether the vitiligo is stable or active.
If your vitiligo is stable
If your vitiligo has not changed in years, many aesthetic treatments can be carried out safely. Gentle treatments such as small anti-wrinkle injections are generally well tolerated and carry a low risk of triggering new patches.
If your vitiligo is new or active
If you are still developing new patches or your vitiligo has changed recently, greater caution is needed. More aggressive treatments, such as resurfacing lasers, can trigger a response known as the Koebner phenomenon.
The Koebner phenomenon is a well-documented skin response in which new areas of a condition appear on previously unaffected skin following trauma, irritation, or pressure. In the context of vitiligo, this means that strong laser treatments or other forms of skin trauma can cause new depigmented patches to form in treated areas.
For this reason, Professor Nicola Ralph advises patients with active vitiligo to seek a specialist assessment before proceeding with any aesthetic treatment.
Key point: The Koebner phenomenon means that skin trauma -- including laser treatments -- can trigger new depigmented patches in people with active vitiligo. Always seek specialist advice before any aesthetic procedure.
In Professor Nicola Ralph's Words
"The stability of the vitiligo is what guides the approach. If it has been completely unchanged for years, many treatments are safe to proceed with. If it is new or still active, I would always recommend seeing a specialist first. The last thing we want is to trigger new patches through the Koebner effect. A thorough consultation means we can find the safest options for each individual patient."
Professor Nicola Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist, Institute of Dermatologists
Frequently Asked Questions About Vitiligo and Aesthetic Treatments
Can I have laser treatment if I have vitiligo?
It depends on whether your vitiligo is stable or active. Strong resurfacing lasers carry a risk of triggering the Koebner phenomenon in people with active vitiligo. A consultation with a specialist is essential before any laser treatment.
Can I have anti-wrinkle injections if I have vitiligo?
In most cases, yes. Small anti-wrinkle injections are generally considered a gentle treatment and are usually well tolerated by people with stable vitiligo.
What is the Koebner phenomenon?
The Koebner phenomenon is when new areas of a skin condition develop on previously unaffected skin following irritation, injury, or pressure. In vitiligo, this means that trauma to the skin can trigger new depigmented patches to appear.
Do people with vitiligo need to wear SPF every day?
Yes. Skin affected by vitiligo has no natural UV protection due to the absence of melanin. Daily SPF 50 applied to all exposed areas is strongly recommended, even in winter and on overcast days.
What does World Vitiligo Day mark?
World Vitiligo Day is observed annually on 25 June. It was established to raise awareness of vitiligo, support those living with the condition, and address the social and emotional challenges that can come with visible skin differences.
Images reproduced with permission from Dermnet
