Hi Nathalie,
I am experimenting with taking B12, folic acid, and Vitamin C. I have had positive results, but I have read that one needs sunlight to help gain further repigmentation. Can you let me know the recommended time one can sit in the tanning bed without being in danger of burning. Thank you very much for all your useful information.
Gabe
Hi Gabe
The vitamins you are taking match with what others have used and experienced re-pigmentation. Also, think about adding vitamin D because studies show that low vitamin D is associated with autoimmune diseases- of which vitiligo is one.
I experienced a lot of re-pigmentation from sitting in the sun for 15-30 minutes per day in the summer and my excimer xtrac laser treatments are showing some very positive results since going from 1 to 3 visits per week. However, the excimer laser utilizes narrow-band UVB (not UVA) to target only the white patches. I can tell you two things about going to a tanning salon: 1) make sure the tanning bed uses narrow band UVB bulbs and B) you’re going to tan all of your skin, not just the white patches, so it may look a little worse before it gets better. I tried that a couple of years ago and stopped after 3 times because I was embarrassed coming out of the booth- sad, but true.
I would talk to your dermatologist about the recommended time to spend in a tanning bed, just to be sure.
all the best,