Complete di-pigmentation...

I've gone through the process of fully depigmenting so I have alot to say about it. When I had vitiligo it was mostly on visible areas, my face, hands, feet, arms, and legs. Since I had a darker brown skin tone the white spots were VERY noticeable. I tried many different treatments including puva, cortizone cream, different diets, vitamins, oil applied to the skin and sitting in the sun, various alternative medicine, and others. All had no effect besides restoring pigment slightly on my face.

After 2 years of trying to bring back pigment, and feeling I had no other choice, I decided to depigment. Depigmentation is done using the drug monobenzone, (available only with a doctors prescription in the US) which is applied topically to the skin. It stops melanin production resulting in a pale white skin tone. I was turned down by two dermatologists, who stated that my vitiligo was not widespread enough to warrant such a drastic treatment option. (It was on about 25% of my skin, while those who usually depigment have 50% or more)

Finally I found a dermatologist who agreed. I started using 15% mono, applying it to my face and arms as a test to see how my body would react. The dermatologist stated that it only worked successfully in about 75% of patients, with 25% it resulted in a severe allergic reaction, and did not fade the skin tone.

After moving on to a 20% strength (which is the standard dose used for most patient's entire treatment) it caused severe dryness, peeling, and discomfort to my face, and especially my eyes. It was really bad, my facial skin was peeling off daily and it hurt to move my facial muscles, for 2 weeks to a month. I had severe eye dryness to the point where my eyes were bright red, and couldn't wear contacts at all. Just by staring at a tv or computer screen too long they would redden severely. I also had to blink much more. This dryness eventually improved after I stopped applying the cream but it took a very long time. They're still sensitive; if I wear contacts overnight my eyes are very dry and uncomfortable in the morning whereas before depigmenation I could sleep in them fine and would wake up feeling like I'm not wearing them.

Near complete depigmenation took about 3 years. In the end I was left with an almost uniform white skin tone. (The white spots on my elbows and legs were still noticeable, being slightly whiter than the surrounding skin) However, pigment began to return gradually due to sun exposure, especially on my face and arms, but other areas as well.I went back to using monobenzone 20% but it didn't have any effect, so I tried 30%, then 40%. None faded the brown spots to white, instead causing more pigment to return. The dermatologist stated that this does happen with some patients, that they develop a kind of immunity to the drug where it no longer works.

Now I've turned to homeopathy to reverse the hyperpigmentation and have an even white skin tone again.

The cost of monobenzone per month was quite expensive, about $200-$300. I would apply it daily usually and sometimes twice a day after a warm shower.

Despite the side effects, I don't regret doing it, as I'm comfortable with a white skin tone. However I would warn that it is a very drastic step, and not reversible. I look very different, to the point where some people don't even recognize me. There is no way to know how the body will react and while it works for many people and is permanent, some do have brown pigment coming back in spots either due to sun exposure or on its own.

I hope that helps, if there's anything else you need to know just ask.

Replies

Omar June 1, 2013 at 4:52pm

I've gone through the process of fully depigmenting so I have alot to say about it. When I had vitiligo it was mostly on visible areas, my face, hands, feet, arms, and legs. Since I had a darker brown skin tone the white spots were VERY noticeable. I tried many different treatments including puva, cortizone cream, different diets, vitamins, oil applied to the skin and sitting in the sun, various alternative medicine, and others. All had no effect besides restoring pigment slightly on my face.

After 2 years of trying to bring back pigment, and feeling I had no other choice, I decided to depigment. Depigmentation is done using the drug monobenzone, (available only with a doctors prescription in the US) which is applied topically to the skin. It stops melanin production resulting in a pale white skin tone. I was turned down by two dermatologists, who stated that my vitiligo was not widespread enough to warrant such a drastic treatment option. (It was on about 25% of my skin, while those who usually depigment have 50% or more)

Finally I found a dermatologist who agreed. I started using 15% mono, applying it to my face and arms as a test to see how my body would react. The dermatologist stated that it only worked successfully in about 75% of patients, with 25% it resulted in a severe allergic reaction, and did not fade the skin tone.

After moving on to a 20% strength (which is the standard dose used for most patient's entire treatment) it caused severe dryness, peeling, and discomfort to my face, and especially my eyes. It was really bad, my facial skin was peeling off daily and it hurt to move my facial muscles, for 2 weeks to a month. I had severe eye dryness to the point where my eyes were bright red, and couldn't wear contacts at all. Just by staring at a tv or computer screen too long they would redden severely. I also had to blink much more. This dryness eventually improved after I stopped applying the cream but it took a very long time. They're still sensitive; if I wear contacts overnight my eyes are very dry and uncomfortable in the morning whereas before depigmenation I could sleep in them fine and would wake up feeling like I'm not wearing them.

Near complete depigmenation took about 3 years. In the end I was left with an almost uniform white skin tone. (The white spots on my elbows and legs were still noticeable, being slightly whiter than the surrounding skin) However, pigment began to return gradually due to sun exposure, especially on my face and arms, but other areas as well.I went back to using monobenzone 20% but it didn't have any effect, so I tried 30%, then 40%. None faded the brown spots to white, instead causing more pigment to return. The dermatologist stated that this does happen with some patients, that they develop a kind of immunity to the drug where it no longer works.

Now I've turned to homeopathy to reverse the hyperpigmentation and have an even white skin tone again.

The cost of monobenzone per month was quite expensive, about $200-$300. I would apply it daily usually and sometimes twice a day after a warm shower.

Despite the side effects, I don't regret doing it, as I'm comfortable with a white skin tone. However I would warn that it is a very drastic step, and not reversible. I look very different, to the point where some people don't even recognize me. There is no way to know how the body will react and while it works for many people and is permanent, some do have brown pigment coming back in spots either due to sun exposure or on its own.

I hope that helps, if there's anything else you need to know just ask.
- joy soriano > Omar June 2, 2013 at 3:47am
  
  hi.
  
  thanks for the info..was indeed a struggle for me to come to my decision to have depig. as my ultimate cure,i work for UNICEF met different race w/ diff. walk of life,though i got different reactions,affecting me emotionally than anything.just like you,tried diff. treatments & nothing works..life is short & want to live a nomal life if possible..GOD BLESS ALL
Yash Raja September 27, 2011 at 7:17am

I am not sure about this, but doesn't depigmentation lead to higher chances of skin cancer and also there is no protection from UV Rays..
- sundas > Yash Raja April 7, 2013 at 6:11pm
  
  hi
  
  monobenzene cream is used to lighten the skin slowly .In this way your vitiligo would not be that showy
  
  good luck
  - joy soriano > sundas June 1, 2013 at 1:20pm
    
    hi.
    
    i will begin my depigmenation nxt. month,so glad to hear your discussions regarding depig..i have one question my derma. can't answer & that is.."during the depig. time,does the skin loss it's color like a patches all over?i want to know to prepare myself at least what to expect..i need you inputs..
    
    thank you very much.
    
    joy
fays July 9, 2010 at 3:55pm

hi Noha --- read the ((( Depigmentation Information discussions ))
- noha ahmed > fays July 9, 2010 at 11:29pm
  
  thanks fays
noha ahmed July 9, 2010 at 2:28am

hi every body i heard about that thing but i thought it was a sort of operation not just a cream please tell me more about depigmentation.
fays July 7, 2010 at 10:19pm

You are welcome .
fays July 7, 2010 at 12:58am

hi Hinanki Patel :-) its cream Called ( benoquin/monobenzone ) i put it on my skin every day just lik any cream . *( About the cost ((( more vitiligo you have less Money you Pay ))) i had Only 5% vitilgo on my skin so i Payed alot About 10000$ .

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