Vitiligo: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

What is Vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a condition characterised by loss of pigment (depigmented white patches) due to melanocyte dysfunction or destruction. Common features include well-defined pale/white patches on the skin, sometimes with spreading, occasional itching, or sensitivity to sun. Onset may be gradual or sudden. Medical evaluation (dermatology, autoimmune screening when indicated) is recommended to determine cause and management options.

Important Safety & Realistic Expectations

Vitiligo outcomes vary widely. Ayurveda can offer supportive therapies that aim to stabilise progression, nourish skin tissues and assist repigmentation in some patients, but results depend on disease stage, chronicity and individual factors. Always coordinate with a dermatologist — combine approaches only under clinician guidance. Avoid unverified topical products and sun exposure without protection.

Ayurvedic Care Strategy for Vitiligo

• Assessment: Determine activity (spreading vs stable), age of lesions, autoimmune risk and general health before any interventions.
• Stabilisation: Aim to stop spread using internal herbs, lifestyle changes and gentle procedures — avoid aggressive detox when disease is spreading.
• Local & systemic nourishment: Topical lepams, oil applications, and rejuvenative therapies to nourish skin and support melanocyte recovery.
• Supportive Shodhana (selective): In stable, chronic cases — carefully selected therapies (e.g., Virechana in Pitta-predominant patterns or Basti for Vata dominance) may be used after full evaluation.
• Rehabilitation: Rejuvenative procedures (Njavara Kizhi), topical therapies and long-term dietary/lifestyle modifications to maintain results.

Therapies Useful in Vitiligo — with reference images

The list below shows clinic therapies commonly used in Ayurvedic management of vitiligo. Each therapy is individualized; not all are appropriate for every patient. Photos are included for reference.

Lepam (Topical Medicinal Paste) Primary

What it is: Application of carefully prepared herbal pastes (lepa) containing nourishing and pigment-supportive herbs on depigmented patches.

• Used to nourish local skin, reduce local dosha imbalance and support repigmentation when combined with systemic care.
• Formulations and frequency are tailored — strict patch testing and sun-protection guidelines are followed.

Abhyanga (Therapeutic Oil Massage)

What it is: Gentle full-body massage with nourishing oils chosen to pacify relevant doshas and improve tissue nutrition.

• Improves circulation to the skin, calms nervous system, supports overall tissue health and prepares skin for topical therapies.

Patra Potli (Herbal Leaf Bolus/Compress)

What it is: Warm herbal leaf boluses applied topically to affected areas or over the body to deliver medicated heat and herbal action.

• Helps local nourishment, improves microcirculation and assists the action of topical lepams in selected protocols.

Churn Potli (Herbal Powder Poultice)

What it is: Warm poultices made from specific herbal powders to apply medicinal heat and herbs to skin patches.

• Used as an adjunct to lepams and topical therapies to enhance local effect and reduce stagnation.

Nasyam (Nasal Administration) — Adjunct

What it is: Administration of mild, medicated oils or herbal preparations via the nose to influence head and skin-related doshas.

• Can be helpful when vitiligo involves facial or scalp areas, to correct dosha imbalance affecting the head region; used cautiously and in stable patients.

Shirodhara (Nervous-System Support)

What it is: Continuous gentle pouring of medicated oil over the forehead to calm the nervous system and reduce stress.

• Addresses stress-related triggers and supports sleep and mental wellbeing — important for long-term management of vitiligo.

Njavara Kizhi (Rejuvenative Bolus Therapy)

What it is: Warm boluses of Njavara rice in herbal decoction applied to the body to nourish and rejuvenate tissues.

• Useful in rehabilitation to restore tissue strength, immunity and support pigment recovery when combined with topical measures.

Basti (Medicated Enema) — Selected Use

What it is: Medicated oil or decoction administered rectally to correct Vata and improve systemic balance.

• Used selectively in Vata-dominant patterns or chronic cases to stabilise disease and support systemic nourishment — only after full assessment.

Oil Bath (Post-treatment Nourishment)

What it is: Therapeutic oil application followed by warm bath to nourish and soothe the skin.

• Helps maintain skin moisture, improves texture and supports the action of topical lepams and other local treatments.

Herbal Medicines & Nutritional Support

Internal medicines and supplements are prescribed after assessment. The aim is to support immunity, nourish skin tissues (Twak, Rakta, Mamsa) and correct dosha imbalance.

All internal and topical medications must be prescribed by a qualified Ayurvedic physician and coordinated with dermatology when using concurrent conventional treatments (e.g., topical steroids, phototherapy).

Sample Clinic Plans for Vitiligo (examples)

Plans are examples — actual protocols are personalised. Photographic documentation and periodic lab checks (when needed) help in objective monitoring.

Quick Reference — Therapies & Roles