Once I thought of using this procedure but why waste money to depigmentate myself if I'm loosing it naturally
Many people with vitiligo become frustrated from years of treatments with unsuccessful long-term results. While pigment may be gained, pigment in other areas may be lost. Furthermore, there is the expense and inconvenience of the medical visits and products, and many patients will never regain all of the lost pigment. For those who have extensive vitiligo and/or considerable psychological distress from their vitiligo, a course of action could be to totally eliminate the "normal" pigment remaining from the entire body; this process is depigmentation.
While some people totally depigment through the natural progression of their vitiligo, others make the choice to depigment. If a patient would like to consider this option, their doctor may request they begin with a psychological screening to determine that this decision is one they fully understand and are emotionally prepared for.
If their doctor determines they are a candidate for this treatment, they begin the fairly simple process. The doctor prescribes monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone, (MBEH) a compounded cream which is designed only for those with extensive vitiligo, in a strength of 10%, 20% (most often) or 30% or 40%. This cream has been around at least 30 years, and was formerly manufactured with the trade name of "Benoquin", but is now most commonly known by its generic name "Monobenzone."
The cream is rubbed into the pigmented areas of the body, starting with such areas as the arms and legs, once or twice daily and works to kill melanocytes systemically. The patient continues to do this, perhaps increasing the strength of the cream's active ingredients and/or the coverage area, over a period of a year or more, until the normally pigmented skin has faded to match the vitiligo spots, creating an overall pale appearance. The paleness is not a stark white, as many fear, but rather a slightly pink tone.
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for me it is lightening the areas in my legs where i have been applying it. i don't think it has changed any other parts cuz i have not really noticed changes in the arms or face where i have not put the cream on. i started to notice my legs getting a little lighter and tiny little white area growing where the pigment is going away. they are now getting bigger and spreading towards the areas where i had already lost my pigment. Lord willing I hope to very soon be one solid color soon. good luck with whatever you decide to do. it is normal to be scared. i still find myself being scared sometimes but i have faith that this part of my life shall also pass. having to deal with vitiligo for over 20 years has made me go through so many life experiences that even though i hate how i looked and what some people in our society have put me through, it has made me who i am today. i am now a very strong person who has learned not to judge others and that we have all we need inside our hearts and souls to be able to conquer anything this world wants to throw at us. we for some reason have been chosen to go through life with this and maybe there is a much greater purpose than what we can see before us. this world needs strong, levelheaded, compassionate people to carry messages to others in our journey through life that may cause them to also reflect at just how good life really is. there are so many testimonials on this website of life experiences which i am sure we have shared at some point or another with others. just think about it, "How do people look at you, listen to your or ask you questions about this when you sit down with all the confidence in the world and explain your experience?" this world does not have much compassion and because we have been persecuted by many we tend to be more at peace when God puts people in your path to talk to them about our condition. it is a healing process for us and a learning process for others. there is hope for you, me and all the other hurting and afflicted souls. we are making a difference in this world even if it is only one person at a time. God Bless You and your family always. if there is ever anything i can help you with please do not hesitate to ask. we are all connected and by sticking together and encouraging each other, even when we feel ready to just give up, we will prosper through Christ Jesus.
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Finally someone that makes sense! I was thinking all the time about this subject but people they are not open to talk about this in other webpages. I've being asking people that they are already in this process how they deal with the cream in the daily bases with the family around... I have kids and a wife I don't want to expose them to this cream! so.... Do I have to sleep in a different room? or do I have to take a shower after few hour so I can rinse it off?
mary rios > Juan Carlos ParraMarch 5, 2010 at 2:59pm
Juan,
I had the same questions. i was concerned about my fiance and if it may affect him but when i went in to see the dermatologist i had most of my questiopns answered. the pharmacist that made my prescription has also been very informative and helpfull. i started off with the hydoquinone 20% cream to apply 1 to 2 times a day. i started using it once a day but started developing a rash so i called and left a message for the dermatologist. i then proceeded to call the pharmacist who advised me that i could still use the same cream by adding a particular cream (not a lotion) available at walmart to cut the strenght in half so i would not have to discard it. i did just that, 1 tablespoon cream and 1 tablespoon hydroquinone, and the rash has gone away. the dermatologist finally returned my call and i told her what i was doing and she was okay with that. after using it at a diluted rate for 6-8 weeks she advised me i could try full strenght again. sometimes you may have to cut back on the strenght and start with lesser strenght and work your way up. even the lesser strengght is working doing its things so do not get discouraged as i initially did. it's working. any other questions please feel free to ask. i am learning as i am going and if there is something i can share that may facilitate or make things easier for someone i am willing to share. GOD Bless You.
How long you have being using this the cream? and did you see any progress please it will be very interesting if you can keep an update!
mary rios > Juan Carlos ParraMarch 12, 2010 at 9:26pm
i have been using the cream for about four weeks now. i had to cut back the strenght for a little while until a friend advised me to consider taking Tumeric in a capsule form to help with the inflamation/rash i was getting when i started using the cream. Once i went out and purchased it i also decided i was going back to full stenght on the cream (20%). i still get a slight little itching sensation sometimes but the rash is almost completely gone. there are small areas where there is still a slight little pink rash which resembles little red bumps similar to a heat rash. i have begun to notice a very small change on my legs which is where i began. there are tiny little white spots at some of the follicle sites which are turning white. sometimes i get a little lazy and use the cream once a day instead of twice but i try to be consistant and discpline myself to follow this regiment to a tee. the cream dries up in a few minutes and unless you are perspiring pretty heavily it does not wear off on your loved ones. a single exposure to the cream will not depigment your family. take it from those of us that are going through the process, it takes many many encounter to get rid of our color/pigment. it does not bleach your clothing, bedding or the likes. hope this helps.
last question do you use it in the face or you don't recommend it!
mary rios > Juan Carlos ParraMarch 22, 2010 at 10:46pm
i am currently not applying to my face but i have. when i first began using it and started getting a rash around my neck area i decided to stop applying it to my face for a while until i got control of the mild rash. i wanted to use it in a more inconspicuous place such as my legs until i ironed out all the kinks to this whole depig process. now that i am starting to see changes in my legs i will try it on my arms and work my way back to the face. the face being more sensative may require i cut back some on the strenght for a while but i am confident that that too shall work. hope it helps some.
Years ago when I was noticeably spotted, I was out to lunch with some friends and this man kept staring at me. Finally, he came over and sat down at our table and started talking, he spoke only Spanish so my friend translated and he explained that both him and his granddaughter had Vitiligo and they were both depigmented and he suggested that I try depigmentation. He was kind enough to write down what he used to depigment - Hydroquinone.
At the time, it wasn't the route that I was seeking but I thanked the man for sharing with me his story.
I am now 99% naturally depigmented. As I was diagnosed as a child with Vitiligo, I never thought I would ever be depigmented - naturally or otherwise. When I was diagnosed, my parents were told there was nothing that could be done so I never sought any treatments. I imagined my entire life as being spotted. When I was diagnosed, my parents were told there was nothing that could be done so I never sought any treatments.
Last summer at the same time that I joined Vitiligo Friends, I also joined Vitiligo Support International (VSI). http://www.vitiligosupport.org On VSI there is an entire section on Depigmentation. When I mentioned that I have three spots of natural pigment remaining, it was brought up that the Depigmentation Board could offer some direction if I wanted to fully depigment.
But that isn't an option for me. I like my remaining pigment! I never really got a choice of repigmentation or depigmentation so for me, my three spots symbolize my journey. They have gotten smaller and may one day be gone but for now, they're mine!
For anyone that is considering depigmentation as an option, I strongly suggest you join VSI as their members can guide you on which course of action to take to start your journey.
I have noticed, since I have had vitiligo that natural depigmentation via sun exposure can be slowed or excelerated, depending on how much or how little, direct sunlight our body gets. Everyone knows, we have to be careful in the sun but it depigments/bleaches our skin, naturally.
Replies
:-)
I had the same questions. i was concerned about my fiance and if it may affect him but when i went in to see the dermatologist i had most of my questiopns answered. the pharmacist that made my prescription has also been very informative and helpfull. i started off with the hydoquinone 20% cream to apply 1 to 2 times a day. i started using it once a day but started developing a rash so i called and left a message for the dermatologist. i then proceeded to call the pharmacist who advised me that i could still use the same cream by adding a particular cream (not a lotion) available at walmart to cut the strenght in half so i would not have to discard it. i did just that, 1 tablespoon cream and 1 tablespoon hydroquinone, and the rash has gone away. the dermatologist finally returned my call and i told her what i was doing and she was okay with that. after using it at a diluted rate for 6-8 weeks she advised me i could try full strenght again. sometimes you may have to cut back on the strenght and start with lesser strenght and work your way up. even the lesser strengght is working doing its things so do not get discouraged as i initially did. it's working. any other questions please feel free to ask. i am learning as i am going and if there is something i can share that may facilitate or make things easier for someone i am willing to share. GOD Bless You.
At the time, it wasn't the route that I was seeking but I thanked the man for sharing with me his story.
I am now 99% naturally depigmented. As I was diagnosed as a child with Vitiligo, I never thought I would ever be depigmented - naturally or otherwise. When I was diagnosed, my parents were told there was nothing that could be done so I never sought any treatments. I imagined my entire life as being spotted. When I was diagnosed, my parents were told there was nothing that could be done so I never sought any treatments.
Last summer at the same time that I joined Vitiligo Friends, I also joined Vitiligo Support International (VSI). http://www.vitiligosupport.org On VSI there is an entire section on Depigmentation. When I mentioned that I have three spots of natural pigment remaining, it was brought up that the Depigmentation Board could offer some direction if I wanted to fully depigment.
But that isn't an option for me. I like my remaining pigment! I never really got a choice of repigmentation or depigmentation so for me, my three spots symbolize my journey. They have gotten smaller and may one day be gone but for now, they're mine!
For anyone that is considering depigmentation as an option, I strongly suggest you join VSI as their members can guide you on which course of action to take to start your journey.
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