Your own observation of symptoms. Medical history and physical exam by a doctor. Microscopic examination of skin scraping. Skin grafting may be recommended for patients who do not benefit from other therapy. Complete and permanent repigmentation is rarely possible.
Treatment consists of using an oral medication called psoralens.
When discontinued, most of the regained pigmentation is usually lost. It is impossible to predict how much improvement will occur with treatment. Allow 1 year to evaluate results. Some patients with limited disease may choose to use a make-up product. Cover the lesions with waterproof, opaque makeup.