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Forever Young Skin
Wellesley or Manchester Massachusetts
781-974-9284
 

Additional Resources FDA Website

Depigmentation Treatments

This is the treatment of choice for patients who have failed PUVA
therapy or who have greater than 50% of the body surface area
involved with vitiligo. This treatment involves the application of 20%
monobenzylether of hydroquinone cream (Benoquin; MBEH) to uninvolved areas of the skin. Application of MGEH results in
permanent loss of pigment and can lead to distant sites of depigmentation, i.e., loss of pigment in areas where cream has not
been applied. The major side affect of MBEH is local irritation of the
skin, which primarily affects uninvolved skin. This manifests itself as
redness or itchiness. Because of the possibility of irritation, we initially begin with a test site on one forearm. The medication is applied to a limited area on the forearm once a day. If no irritation occurs after two weeks, the cream is applied twice a day. If no irritation is seen after another two-week period, then the cream can be applied to any area of involvement.

Once depigmentation is complete, small areas of repigmentation may occur in chronically sun-exposed areas of the body, especially extensor forearms (tops of the lower arm) and cheeks. This can be reduced by daily application of sunscreen and limiting exposure to the sun. Should this occur, MBEH can be reapplied to these areas. It is important to know that once depigmentation has been achieved, the patient has no protection against the sun and we recommend that sunscreen be worn daily to those areas that are exposed to the sun. The decision to undergo depigmentation therapy is one that should be well thought out by the patient. We can offer counseling with a social worker should a person wish to discuss the implications of having skin of a different color. Patients who choose depigmentation have decided that being one color is preferable to being two colors.