Vitiligo Treatment Abroad: Repigmentation Guide & Costs 2025

Understanding Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by the progressive loss of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin pigment in the skin. This destruction of melanocytes results in well-defined white or depigmented patches on the skin that can appear anywhere on the body. The condition affects approximately 0.5 to 2 percent of the world's population regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, though it is more visually apparent and potentially more distressing in individuals with darker skin tones. Vitiligo can develop at any age but most commonly appears before age 30, with approximately half of all cases developing before age 20.

The psychological impact of vitiligo is profound and often more debilitating than the physical symptoms. The visible nature of the depigmentation, particularly on exposed areas such as the face, hands, and arms, can lead to significant self-consciousness, social anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. Studies have shown that the psychological burden of vitiligo is comparable to that of psoriasis and other more medically serious skin conditions. In some cultures, vitiligo carries significant social stigma, affecting relationships, employment, and marriage prospects. These psychosocial consequences underscore the importance of effective treatment, which goes beyond cosmetic improvement to address the substantial emotional and social impact of the disease.

Treatment of vitiligo in the United States can be expensive and is often poorly covered by insurance, as many insurers classify treatment as cosmetic rather than medically necessary. Annual treatment costs for moderate to severe vitiligo can range from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the modalities used, with newer treatments like topical ruxolitinib adding significant expense. International dermatology centers offer comprehensive vitiligo treatment programs at 50 to 80 percent lower cost, with access to the same medications, phototherapy equipment, and surgical techniques available at leading Western centers. Acıbadem Maslak Hospital in Istanbul provides one of the most comprehensive vitiligo treatment programs in the region, combining medical therapy, phototherapy, laser treatment, and surgical repigmentation options under one roof.

Treatment Options for Vitiligo

Treatment of vitiligo aims to halt disease progression, stimulate repigmentation of existing white patches, and provide cosmetic camouflage for areas that do not respond to repigmentation therapy. The choice of treatment depends on the type of vitiligo (segmental vs non-segmental), the extent and location of depigmentation, the rate of disease progression, and the patient's skin type and personal preferences. First-line treatments include potent topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus and pimecrolimus), and narrowband UVB phototherapy, used alone or in combination. The combination of phototherapy with topical therapy consistently produces better results than either modality alone.

Excimer laser therapy delivers targeted 308nm UVB light to individual vitiligo patches without exposing surrounding normal skin to ultraviolet radiation. This precision makes excimer laser particularly suitable for limited vitiligo affecting less than 10 percent of body surface area, especially in cosmetically sensitive areas such as the face. Treatment sessions are brief, typically lasting only a few minutes, and are performed two to three times per week. Studies show repigmentation rates of 70 to 90 percent for facial vitiligo treated with excimer laser, with results typically becoming visible after 10 to 20 sessions. International dermatology centers like Estethica Ataşehir Hospital offer excimer laser treatment at prices 70 to 80 percent lower than US facilities.

Surgical repigmentation techniques are available for patients with stable vitiligo (no new patches or expansion of existing patches for at least one to two years) who have not responded adequately to medical therapy. These procedures involve transferring melanocytes from normally pigmented donor areas to the depigmented patches. Non-cultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplant procedure (MKTP) is one of the most widely performed surgical techniques, capable of repigmenting large areas from a relatively small donor site. Suction blister epidermal grafting and punch grafting are alternative surgical approaches. At Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, dermatologic surgeons with specific expertise in melanocyte transplantation perform these procedures using advanced laboratory facilities for cell preparation and transplantation.

• Topical corticosteroids — first-line for limited vitiligo
• Topical calcineurin inhibitors — preferred for face and sensitive areas
• Topical ruxolitinib — first FDA-approved JAK inhibitor cream for vitiligo
• NB-UVB phototherapy — gold standard for widespread vitiligo
• Excimer laser — targeted treatment for limited, localized vitiligo
• Melanocyte transplant (MKTP) — surgical repigmentation for stable disease
• Suction blister grafting — epidermal grafting technique for stable patches
• Cosmetic camouflage and micropigmentation — non-medical options

Cost Comparison by Country

Vitiligo Treatment Cost Comparison 2025

Costs vary by body surface area affected, treatment modality, and number of sessions required. Combination therapy is recommended for best results.

Turkey offers exceptional value for vitiligo treatment, with NB-UVB phototherapy courses available for $600 to $1,500 (compared to $3,000-$8,000 in the US) and melanocyte transplant procedures for $1,500 to $4,000 (compared to $5,000-$15,000). The recently approved topical ruxolitinib, which represents a breakthrough in vitiligo treatment, costs $15,000 to $25,000 per year in the United States but is available in Turkey for $3,000 to $6,000 annually. These dramatic cost differences make comprehensive vitiligo treatment accessible to patients who might otherwise forgo treatment due to financial constraints.

Phototherapy & Laser Treatment Abroad

Narrowband UVB phototherapy is considered the most effective non-surgical treatment for vitiligo affecting more than 10 percent of body surface area. The treatment works by stimulating the remaining melanocytes at the edges and within the hair follicles of vitiligo patches to proliferate and produce melanin. A typical course involves two to three sessions per week for three to twelve months, with repigmentation typically becoming visible after six to eight weeks of consistent treatment. Response rates vary by body site, with facial vitiligo responding best (70-80% repigmentation), followed by the trunk, proximal extremities, and hands and feet (which respond least well, achieving only 10-30% repigmentation).

For patients traveling abroad for phototherapy, concentrated treatment schedules are available at many international centers. Rather than the traditional two to three sessions per week over many months, some centers offer intensive protocols with daily or near-daily treatments over a four to six week period, allowing medical tourists to complete a meaningful treatment course during a single trip. At Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, the dermatology department operates modern phototherapy units with precisely calibrated NB-UVB and excimer laser equipment, and can accommodate intensive treatment schedules for international patients. The results of intensive phototherapy protocols are comparable to traditional schedules when the same total number of treatments is delivered.

Surgical Repigmentation for Stable Vitiligo

Surgical repigmentation is one of the most effective treatments for vitiligo patients with stable disease, offering the possibility of permanent repigmentation of affected areas. The non-cultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplant procedure is the most widely performed technique, involving harvesting a thin skin sample from a normally pigmented donor area, processing it to create a cell suspension containing melanocytes and keratinocytes, and applying this suspension to the depigmented recipient areas that have been prepared by dermabrasion or laser ablation. The advantage of MKTP is its ability to treat areas five to ten times larger than the donor site, making it suitable for patients with extensive vitiligo.

Success rates for melanocyte transplant procedures range from 70 to 95 percent depending on the technique used, the body site treated, and the stability of the disease. Facial and trunk areas respond best, while acral areas (hands, feet, and lips) have lower success rates. Post-operative NB-UVB phototherapy, begun four to six weeks after the procedure, significantly enhances repigmentation outcomes by stimulating the transplanted melanocytes to proliferate and spread. At hospitals like Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, the dermatologic surgery team performs melanocyte transplant procedures using standardized protocols that maximize the viability of the transplanted cells and optimize recipient site preparation for the best possible cosmetic outcome.

New & Emerging Vitiligo Treatments

The treatment landscape for vitiligo is evolving rapidly, with several new therapies that offer improved efficacy and convenience. Topical ruxolitinib (Opzelura), approved by the FDA in 2022, is the first medication specifically approved for vitiligo and works by inhibiting the JAK-STAT signaling pathway that drives the autoimmune destruction of melanocytes. Clinical trials demonstrated significant repigmentation in facial and body vitiligo, with approximately 30 percent of patients achieving 75 percent or greater improvement in facial vitiligo after 24 weeks of treatment. While the US cost is prohibitive for many patients, international availability at lower prices makes this breakthrough treatment accessible to a broader patient population.

Oral JAK inhibitors are being investigated for more extensive vitiligo, with early results showing promising repigmentation rates, particularly when combined with phototherapy. Other emerging approaches include combination topical therapies, novel phototherapy protocols, and stem cell-based melanocyte transplantation techniques that may further improve surgical repigmentation outcomes. Research into the immunological mechanisms of vitiligo continues to identify new therapeutic targets, with several molecules in clinical trials that may offer additional treatment options in the coming years. International patients at centers like Acıbadem Maslak Hospital benefit from dermatologists who stay current with the latest research and can offer the most advanced treatment options available.

After years of living with vitiligo on my face and hands, the combination of excimer laser and melanocyte transplant in Istanbul gave me back my confidence. The repigmentation was remarkable, and the cost was a fraction of what I was quoted in the US.

Priya K., vitiligo patient from the UK

Frequently Asked Questions