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Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery

Written by Dr. Ringpfeil

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a disease manifested by loss of pigment in the skin. It is an acquired disorder that often runs in families. It is characterized by depigmentation or total lack of melanin pigment. It can occur in small localized areas or be widespread. Fifty percent of individuals develop the disease before the age of 20 and 25% develop the disease before the age of 10. The cause is unknown but is believed to autoimmune in nature. It is more commonly seen in individuals with endocrine disorders such as thyroid disease.

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis can be made clinically in the presence of well demarcated areas of depigmentation found symmetrically over boney prominences such as the knees or around body orifices such as the mouth, eyes and perianal or periurethral area. When the diagnosis is unclear, a skin biopsy may need to be done.

MANAGEMENT

Patients with vitiligo must be advised to follow strict sun protection. The areas of skin affected by vitiligo cannot tan and will burn with sun exposure. Sunburns raise the risk of skin cancer. Also, when normal surrounding skin is tan the loss of pigment is more noticeable. Also, since vitiligo can be associated with endocrine disorders such as thyroid disease, blood tests to rule out an underlying disorder may need to be performed.

TREATMENT AND MEDICATION

Treatment options are influenced by the amount of skin involved and the location. Often a trial of treatment with a topical corticosteroid is the initial treatment choice. Topical immunomodulators such as Protopic Ointment or Elidel Cream have also been shown to be effective and are more appropriate for extended use on delicate areas. A series of narrowband ultraviolet light treatments (NB-UVB) have also been found to be very effective. The excimer laser delivers NB-UVB directly to specific skin areas without affecting normal surrounding skin. Ringpfeil Advanced Dermatology has an excimer laser and is proud to be able to offer excimer laser treatment to our patients. Excimer has come to be preferred over older light treatment modalities such as PUVA (psoralens plus ultraviolet A). The advantage of excimer over PUVA is shorter treatment times, decreased risk of phototoxic reactions, and the ability to use excimer in children, pregnant women and in individuals with kidney or liver disease since no oral medication is utilized. In cases where depigmentation due to vitiligo is very extensive, permanently removing all remaining pigment can be offered for cosmetic reasons.

COPING

For individuals who are self-conscious about vitiligo involving visible areas such as the face and hands, cosmetic products under the brand names of Covermark or Dermablend are available for camouflage. The National Vitiligo Foundation is an organization that can be a resource for educational materials and support groups.

How can we help you?

SKIN

# of surveys: 4030
Last updated: 6/27/2023 11:10 AM

PATIENT RATINGS

Would you recommend us?

definitely
93.1%
probably
6.16%
maybe
0.58%
not likely
0.08%
no
0.02%

Compare our service to other similar practices

excellent
87.9%
very good
10.1%
good
1.8%
poor
0.06%
very poor
0%

Overall doctor performance

excellent
94.2%
very good
4.89%
good
0.80%
poor
0.03%
very poor
0%

The doctor listened to you attentively

excellent
93.9%
very good
4.97%
good
1.05%
poor
0.05%
very poor
0%

The doctor took time to answer your questions

excellent
94.0%
very good
4.66%
good
1.27%
poor
0.02%
very poor
0%

The doctor explained treatment options

excellent
94.3%
very good
4.16%
good
1.25%
poor
0.14%
very poor
0.02%

The doctor explained treatment options

excellent
92.0%
very good
5.69%
good
2.18%
poor
0.11%
very poor
0.0%

Front desk performance

excellent
85.6%
very good
10.2%
good
3.66%
poor
0.31%
very poor
0.08%

Aesthetician performance

excellent
88.6%
very good
7.61%
good
3.39%
poor
0.24%
very poor
0.08%

Office comfort

excellent
90.9%
very good
6.93%
good
2.08%
poor
0.05%
very poor
0.05%

Parking

excellent
66.4%
very good
14.4%
good
15.7%
poor
2.49%
very poor
0.9%

Friendliness of the staff during appointment

excellent
90.9%
very good
7.23%
good
1.85%
poor
0.05%
very poor
0%

What WE DID WELL

(Answers:674)

good service

#12011-04-19 10:17:20

Dr very friendly and made me comfortable.

#22023-01-31

Once in the examining room, I was treated professionally by both individuals whom I saw.

#32011-06-01 16:55:08

The office atmosphere: paintings, light fixtures.

#42023-08-17

I like the conscientious of the team. They seem to care and are capable.

#52011-10-27 14:37:41

The doctor was very clear and extremely thorough along with being pleasant. She makes her patients comfortable.

#62022-10-03

Everything was explained to me in detail; the doctor especially was very thorough both during and after her examination.

#72023-08-11

prompt everything explained clearly

#82022-11-21

The docotr was very nice and helpful!

#92022-11-13

I loved the office space. Very friendly and the decor was very nice. I also appreciated the opportunity to do documentation on the computer.

#102023-07-13

What can we do better?

(answers:373)

it's a little thing, but when you enter an office and ask the receptionist attending to you how are you, she say fine, but does not inquire how you are, and is not engaging, I just think its rude.

#12023-08-28

Everything was wonderful - no complaints at all!

#22022-11-19

Everything was great! No further suggestion at this time.

#32023-08-19

don't change a thing!

#42022-11-06

Service was outstanding!

#52023-03-11

I can't think of anything.

#62010-08-25 14:18:06

less waiting time in the room

#72023-02-28

More chairs in the waiting room. More parking spaces.

#82010-09-15 12:08:01

I'm speechless!! I make a living at answering this very question but I can't recommend anything you can do to provide better service. You deserve a high score in all aspects of the practice. One minor detail - I have not yet seen the aesthetician and I have limited experience with you. Maybe patients could complete a survey after they've had a couple of appointments and contact with others. Some valuable feedback may be provided. Oops....I just heard an administrator use the word "cancellation" with a patient. May I suggest other terms like "change in the schedule" or "we'll make time for you". Wouldn't want to give patients the idea that it's ok to cancel. :-) Can you recommend a vascular specialist closer to the area than in Center City?

#92011-06-02 14:18:32

Too Early

#102023-03-02

Customer Rating : 4.6

Based on 402 ratings
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