Best Creams and Treatments for Vitiligo: What Works According to Dermatologists

If you’ve noticed pale or white patches on your skin and you’re searching for the best creams and treatments for vitiligo in Central London or West London, this guide explains what genuinely helps, when to use it, and how a consultant dermatologist can build a plan for you. We also cover options for children and teens, and why early assessment in a consultant‑led clinic matters.

What Is Vitiligo and How Do Dermatologists Diagnose It?

Vitiligo is an acquired condition where melanocytes (pigment‑producing cells) decrease or disappear, causing well‑defined pale or white patches. Diagnosis is clinical, supported when needed by Wood’s lamp examination, skin biopsy in atypical cases, or selected blood tests if autoimmune associations are suspected. Learn more on our Vitiligo condition page.

The Best Prescription Creams for Vitiligo

The choice of cream depends on patch location, activity (spreading vs stable), skin type, and age:

• Topical corticosteroids: Useful for limited, active patches. Potency and duration are tailored to area (e.g., lower potency on face/skin folds). Intermittent regimens help reduce side‑effects.
• Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs): Often preferred for delicate sites (face, eyelids, neck, skin folds). They can be used longer term under supervision and are suitable for children.
• Adjunctive agents & combination therapy: In consultant care, topicals are frequently combined with targeted UVB to enhance repigmentation, and with LED phototherapy for recovery support.

Your plan at Skinhorizon begins with careful mapping of patches (using digital skin analysis) so that prescription creams and light therapy can be applied with precision.

Does Phototherapy Work? Targeted Excimer UVB vs Full‑Body UVB

Phototherapy is one of the most effective options:

• Targeted Excimer UVB (308 nm): Ideal for small, stubborn patches, especially on the face and hands. At Skinhorizon we use GME Excimer UVB to deliver precise energy to active lesions while sparing surrounding skin.
• Whole‑body narrowband UVB: Helpful for more widespread vitiligo when multiple areas are involved. Treatment schedules are individualised and adjusted to skin response.

Combining supervised UVB with the right topical (steroid or TCI) can improve outcomes. Consistency matters: most patients require a course of sessions, with periodic review.

Evidence‑Informed Supportive Care: Sun, LED, and Camouflage

A complete plan goes beyond prescriptions:

• Sun behaviour: Use broad‑spectrum protection to reduce contrast between normal and depigmented skin and to protect sensitive areas.
• LED phototherapy: We incorporate Opatra® LED phototherapy sessions in some protocols to support recovery and skin comfort between UVB treatments.
• Cosmetic camouflage: High‑quality skin camouflage can even tone while you undergo medical treatment—particularly valuable for visible sites.

Children & Teen Vitiligo: Safe Pathways in Consultant Care

For younger patients, gentle regimens are prioritised: TCIs on delicate areas, cautious steroid use, and carefully dosed targeted UVB when appropriate. Our consultant dermatologist tailors plans to school/activities and offers clear guidance for home use—improving adherence and outcomes.

Procedural & Advanced Options for Selected Cases

When vitiligo is stable and localised (no spread for a defined period), procedural approaches may be discussed in specialist settings. While not first‑line for most patients, they can be considered case‑by‑case. At Skinhorizon, we focus on non‑surgical pathways first and refer to trusted partners if a procedural solution becomes appropriate.

How We Build Your Personalised Vitiligo Plan

1. Consultant assessment: Confirm diagnosis, activity, and triggers. Review medical history and medications.
2. Imaging & mapping: Optional 3D analysis and digital skin analysis to baseline patches.
3. Stepwise treatment: Topical regimen + targeted Excimer UVB for focal lesions; consider whole‑body UVB when needed.
4. Monitoring & adjustment: Regular reviews to adjust potencies, frequency, or add supportive therapies like LED.
5. Long‑term care: Maintenance plans to help sustain gains and reduce visible contrast.

Top 5 Questions London Patients Ask About Vitiligo (Quick Answers)

• Can vitiligo be reversed? Repigmentation is often achievable with targeted UVB and the right topical plan, particularly on the face and newer patches.
• What cream works best? It depends on location and age: topical steroids for short, supervised bursts; TCIs for delicate areas and maintenance.
• How long does it take? Visible change can appear within weeks to months; a full course typically spans several months with review points.
• Is it safe for children? Yes, under specialist guidance—TCIs and carefully dosed UVB are commonly used.
• Will it spread? Activity varies. Early assessment helps identify active areas and start appropriate therapy sooner.

When to See a Consultant Dermatologist in London

Seek specialist care if patches are appearing or enlarging, involve the face/hands, or affect confidence and daily life. Our consultant‑led clinic in Maida Vale provides rapid access to assessment and treatment across Central London, St John’s Wood, and Paddington.

Next Steps at Skinhorizon Clinic

Ready to begin? Book your assessment and we’ll create a plan aligned with your goals—whether that’s restoring colour in visible areas, managing spread, or building a gentle regimen for a child or teen. Start here: Vitiligo treatment · Book online.