TAMPA, FL -- Vitiligo is a disease where the immune system attacks the pigment of your skin changing its color, but there are new treatments available including one Michael Jackson allegedly used.
Here's a look at the latest treatments to treat the devastating condition.
Phillip Jackson is a health counselor who has been dealing with a chronic skin disorder that de-pigments patches of his skin. "I noticed it ten, twelve years ago with a spot on the back of my neck, under my arm and one on my foot."
The condition is called vitiligo. Michael Jackson's strange transformation over the years has been attributed to this chronic problem.
Doctor George Cohen, a dermatologist at the University of South Florida says, "According to his personal dermatologist he did have vitiligo and like many patients with vitiligo, if the patches become too wide spread, than it's impossible to bring the pigmentation back."
Dr Cohen says some patients choose to use a chemical treatment to totally de-pigment their skin. "I will tell them I can make you one color but that color will be white. It's permanent and it's like Alice looking through the looking glass. You can't come back."
Phillip chose to do nothing until the vitiligo started affecting his job. "In my line of work, I counsel people. I started to notice they were noticing my discoloration instead of making eye contact."
He came to Doctor Cohen to find out the latest treatments available to re-pigment his skin. "We're going to give you ultraviolet UVB light which has been shown to stimulate the melanocytes and bring your pigment back."
A lightbox delivers ultraviolet UVB rays to the entire body. There are no UVA bulbs in here. UVA rays are the more dangerous type know to sometimes cause cancer."
Phillip will try the light box first. If that doesn't work he'll try a new Eximer laser that directs super concentrated ultraviolet UVB light to spot treat areas.
Doctor Cohen says, "In some cases when all else fails, you can actually do surgery and transplants pigmented skin from one area to the vitiligo areas."
Philip says, "What ever the results are, I'll be okay with it. I've done my part by just recognizing it and coming to the professionals to ask for help."
Free seminar on skin of colorAugust 13 at 6:00pm
The Frank and Carol Morsani Center, USF
13330 USF Laurel Drive, Tampa
To register please email
info@usfcosmetics.com or call 813-974-8435
Complimentary valet parking
Dermatology for Skin of Color - George F. Cohen, MD Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, USF Health
Skin diseases are very common in people of color. Some can be minor but others can cause considerable distress, embarrassment, and frustration when seeking care. Skin of color is unique and skin disease in skin of color can present challenges for the patient and health care provider. Spend an evening learning about skin of color.
Topics include: Hair loss, treatment of dark spots, vitiligo, keloid treatment, skin signs of internal disease, and cosmetic procedures available to people with skin of color.
