Board-Certified Dermatologist | 34+ Years Experience
Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition that causes areas of skin to lose their natural pigment, resulting in lighter or white patches. It can affect people of every skin tone and may develop on the face, hands, arms, feet, or other areas of the body. Vitiligo can also affect the hair and areas such as the lips or other mucous membranes.
At Yolanda C. Holmes, M.D., P.C., Dr. Holmes provides personalized evaluation and treatment for vitiligo in Washington, DC. As a board-certified dermatologist with more than 34 years of experience and a focus on skin of color, Dr. Holmes considers the extent and location of pigment loss, whether the condition appears stable or is progressing, and each patient's individual skin characteristics when developing an appropriate treatment plan.
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Vitiligo is a medical condition in which the body's immune system attacks melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing pigment in the skin. As melanocytes are lost, affected areas become lighter than the surrounding skin and may eventually appear completely white.
Vitiligo can occur at any age and in people of every skin tone. It is not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another.
The condition can be unpredictable. Some people develop only a few small patches, while others experience more extensive pigment loss over time.
Vitiligo most commonly appears as areas of skin that are:
Vitiligo can occur anywhere on the body. Common areas include the:
Vitiligo may also affect the hair, causing hair within affected areas to become white or gray.
Not every light-colored patch is vitiligo. Other skin conditions, including fungal infections, post-inflammatory pigment changes, and other disorders of pigmentation, can cause similar changes in skin color. An accurate diagnosis is important before beginning treatment.
Vitiligo is considered an autoimmune condition. The immune system mistakenly attacks melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells responsible for skin color.
The exact reason a person develops vitiligo is not completely understood. Genetic and environmental factors may play a role.
Vitiligo is not caused by poor hygiene, infection, or something you did wrong.
No. Vitiligo is not contagious.
You cannot catch vitiligo from another person, and you cannot spread it through physical contact, sharing personal items, or being around someone who has the condition.
Vitiligo is a medical condition, even though the most noticeable changes involve the appearance of the skin.
For some patients, pigment loss may have an emotional or social impact. Others may not feel the need for treatment and may choose to embrace their natural skin changes.
Treatment is a personal decision. A dermatologist can discuss available options and help determine whether treatment is appropriate based on your goals and the characteristics of your vitiligo.
Consider scheduling a dermatology evaluation if you notice:
Professional evaluation is especially important because several other skin conditions can resemble vitiligo.
Vitiligo can affect people of every skin tone, but the contrast between depigmented areas and surrounding skin may be more noticeable in patients with darker skin.
Evaluation and treatment of pigmentary disorders can require careful consideration of a patient's natural skin tone and the degree of contrast between affected and unaffected areas.
With a focus on skin of color, Dr. Holmes considers each patient's individual pigmentation when evaluating vitiligo and discussing treatment options.
Learn more about Dermatology for Skin of Color in Washington, DC →
Vitiligo is usually diagnosed through a dermatologic examination and medical history.
Dr. Holmes may consider:
A Wood's lamp may sometimes be used to make areas of pigment loss easier to identify, particularly when the changes are subtle.
If the diagnosis is uncertain, additional evaluation may sometimes be appropriate. Depending on the individual situation, a dermatologist may recommend laboratory testing or, less commonly, a skin biopsy.
There is no single treatment that works for everyone with vitiligo. Treatment depends on the type and extent of vitiligo, where it appears, whether it is actively spreading, and the patient's goals.
Depending on the situation, treatment may include:
Treatment is generally gradual. When repigmentation occurs, it may take time to become noticeable, and some patients require ongoing or maintenance treatment to help preserve results.
Dr. Holmes will evaluate the pattern and activity of your vitiligo and discuss the treatment approach that is most appropriate for your individual needs.
Currently, there is no cure for vitiligo.
However, treatment can help restore some lost pigment and may help reduce the development of new areas of pigment loss. Results vary from person to person, and some areas of the body respond better to treatment than others.
Vitiligo can also be unpredictable. Even after successful repigmentation, pigment loss may recur, which is why ongoing dermatologic care may be recommended.
Vitiligo treatment generally does not produce immediate results.
When treatment is effective, repigmentation typically develops gradually. The amount of improvement depends on factors such as:
The face and neck often respond better to treatment than areas such as the fingertips, hands, and feet.
Your dermatologist can provide a more individualized understanding of what to expect after evaluating your skin.
Vitiligo can spread, although the pattern and rate of progression vary from person to person.
Some people have a few stable patches for years, while others develop additional areas of pigment loss. There is no reliable way to predict exactly how much pigment a person will lose or how quickly the condition will progress.
If you notice new patches or existing areas becoming larger, a dermatology evaluation can help determine whether your vitiligo appears active and whether treatment should be considered.
Some people experience spontaneous return of pigment in portions of affected skin. However, complete spontaneous repigmentation is uncommon.
If pigment loss is persistent, spreading, or causing concern, professional evaluation can help determine whether treatment may be beneficial.
Yes. Vitiligo can affect pigment-producing cells in the hair as well as the skin.
Hair growing within an area affected by vitiligo may become white or gray. This can occur on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, or other areas of the body.
Vitiligo primarily affects the skin, but pigment-producing cells are also present in other parts of the body.
Some people with vitiligo may have associated eye or hearing concerns, although these complications do not occur in everyone. Depending on your history and symptoms, your dermatologist may recommend additional evaluation when appropriate.
Areas affected by vitiligo have less melanin and can burn more easily with sun exposure.
Sun protection is therefore particularly important for areas of depigmented skin. Helpful measures include:
Sun protection does not cure vitiligo, but it can help protect areas where pigment has been lost.
Not every light patch is vitiligo.
Conditions that can sometimes cause lighter areas of skin include:
Because treatment varies significantly depending on the underlying cause, a dermatologist should evaluate unexplained pigment loss rather than assuming it is vitiligo.
Learn more about Hyperpigmentation & Pigment Disorders →
Vitiligo itself is generally not dangerous or life-threatening.
However, it is an autoimmune medical condition and can sometimes occur alongside other autoimmune conditions. A dermatologist may consider your medical history and symptoms when determining whether additional evaluation is appropriate.
The loss of pigment can also make affected skin more vulnerable to sunburn, making consistent sun protection important.
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Board-Certified Dermatologist
with 34+ years of experience
Comprehensive Evaluation
of vitiligo and other causes of pigment loss
Individualized Treatment Plans
based on the type, location, extent, and activity of vitiligo
Experience with All Skin Types
including patients with skin of color
Convenient Location
1737 20th Street NW, Washington, DC
Recognized
2025 Best Dermatologist in Dupont Circle
Dr. Yolanda C. Holmes is a board-certified dermatologist with more than 34 years of experience serving patients in Washington, DC.
She provides individualized evaluation and treatment for vitiligo, pigmentary disorders, and other dermatologic concerns. Dr. Holmes considers the distribution and characteristics of pigment loss, the patient's skin type, and other relevant factors when determining whether treatment or additional evaluation may be appropriate.
With a focus on skin of color, Dr. Holmes understands that pigmentary conditions can present differently across different skin tones and considers each patient's individual skin characteristics when developing a treatment plan.
Learn more about Dr. Holmes →
If you have noticed new, spreading, or persistent areas of lighter or white skin, a dermatology evaluation can help determine whether the changes are consistent with vitiligo or another skin condition. An accurate diagnosis is the first step toward understanding your options.
Schedule a Vitiligo Evaluation in Washington, DC
