It is also an important coenzyme in the reactions of melanin synthesis. It has been suggested that zinc supplements are a beneficial adjuvant therapy for patients with vitiligo. This theory is based on zinc's proposed ability to protect melanocytes via antiapoptotic and antioxidant properties.
Vitamin B12 has been shown to be useful for repigmentation in patients suffering from vitiligo. Folic acid (or vitamin B9) has been proven to be significant for treating vitiligo. It needs to be included in the diet as the body cannot synthesize it.
In summary, high Melanocyte activity leads to higher levels of melanin, causing skin to darken, so suppression of that activity can help the complexion remain even. Zinc similarly inhibits Tyrosinase activity, again in effect reducing the production of melanin.
Some studies have shown that oral supplementation or topical treatment of Cu and Zn may improve the clinical symptoms of vitiligo [19,20]. Both increased and decreased serum levels of these trace elements in vitiligo patients have been reported [19,21–23].
Protect your skin from the sun.
A bad sunburn can worsen vitiligo. If you have a lighter skin tone, there's another advantage to protecting your skin from the sun. Without a tan, the lighter spots and patches are often less noticeable.
Topical steroids. Topical steroids come as a cream or ointment you apply to your skin. They can sometimes stop the spread of the white patches and may restore some of your original skin colour.
According to the clinical patterns of vitiligo, the mean serum zinc observed was 75.32±19.64 in vitiligo vulgaris, 70.45±21.23 in acrofacial vitiligo and 68.7±17.61 in segmental vitiligo (p-value=0.68).
But this doesn't mean that their low vitamin D caused, or is even affecting, their vitiligo, and supplementing their vitamin D may be a good idea for their overall health, but is unlikely to help their vitiligo.
Vitamin C is not used and is contraindicated in treating vitiligo as it disrupts the melanin production pathways [21]. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that absorbs substances like calcium and magnesium.
Zinc and other nutrients play vital roles in melanin synthesis, specifically by catalyzing the terminal stages of eumelanin formation; thus, zinc dysregulation might contribute to the pathogenesis of vitiligo. In this study, zinc serum levels were significantly lower in patients than in controls.
Light therapy.
Phototherapy with narrow band ultraviolet B (UVB) has been shown to stop or slow the progression of active vitiligo. It might be more effective when used with corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. You'll need therapy two to three times a week.
Based on our findings, patients with vitiligo have a high incidence of vitamin D deficiency, and this deficiency is more common among females than males.
Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid
This is why it is always recommended to take these two vitamins together in order to treat vitiligo. According to some scientific studies, a combination of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation and sun exposure is a good strategy to regain natural skin color.
A diet for vitiligo should also include foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, and seeds, as these have anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce the inflammation that contributes to the development of vitiligo.
Cutaneous manifestations associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair changes. A diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency is often overlooked in its early stages because these signs are not specific to vitamin B12 deficiency alone.
Drink papaya juice regularly to replenish the body of melanin cells lost due to vitiligo. Red clay is an affective treatment of vitiligo. Red clay is rich in copper content. Add a tablespoon of ginger juice to two tablespoons of red clay.
Zinc deficiency can result in skin changes that look like eczema at first. There may be cracks and a glazed appearance on the skin, often found around the mouth, nappy area and hands. The rash doesn't get better with moisturisers or steroid creams or lotions.
Some traditional antioxidants for the treatment of vitiligo include pseudocatalase, vitamin E, coenzyme Q α-lipoic acid, and zinc [10, 12, 13]. Although these antioxidants have certain curative effects, their effect is limited, targeting is not robust, and many treatment methods lack evidence-based data.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease of the skin, which means that someone with vitiligo has an immune system that is malfunctioning in a small way. The normal role of the immune system is to protect you from infections and cancer.
Potential triggers include sunburn, exposure to certain chemicals, and trauma or injury to the skin, according to the article in F1000 Research. These triggers can also prompt vitiligo to spread in people who already have the condition.
After 6 to 12 months, segmental vitiligo tends to stabilize, meaning that the color loss stops. Once it stops, most people with segmental vitiligo don't develop new patches or spots.
No treatments can cure vitiligo. For most people, the goal of treatment is to stop vitiligo from spreading and to bring color back to affected areas of skin. The existing treatments can help, but it is rare for them to reverse vitiligo and make it go away permanently.