Treatment for vitiligo is based on changing the appearance of the skin by restoring its colour. However, the effects of treatment are not usually permanent, and it cannot always control the spread of the condition.

Can vitiligo stop spreading on its own?

In 1 out of every 5 to 10 people, some or all of the pigment eventually returns on its own and the white patches disappear. For most people, however, the whitened skin patches last and grow larger if vitiligo is not treated.

Does vitiligo always spread?

So-called "focal" vitiligo (patches on one or a few areas) and "segmented" vitiligo (patches on one side of the body) generally don't spread. But "generalized" vitiligo - often does spread. Sometimes the patches spread slowly, sometimes fast.