Treatment comparison
Vitiligo creams and treatments compared, side by side
Reviewed by Dr [PLACEHOLDER], Dermatologist. • Last checked [PLACEHOLDER date].
A plain comparison to help you talk to your dermatologist. There is no single best cream for vitiligo: the right choice depends on where your patches are, how active they are, and your age.
Choosing a treatment
Vitiligo therapies primarily aim for repigmentation and stabilizing active loss. Response rates vary substantially by anatomical site: facial and neck patches generally respond more readily, while acral regions (hands and feet) demonstrate slower, more limited follicular melanocyte recruitment.
Comparison matrix
Overview
| Modality | Steroid creams | Tacrolimus / pimecrolimus | Ruxolitinib cream | Light therapy (NB-UVB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it is used | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] |
| Best suited to | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] |
| How long before results | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] |
| Main side effects | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] |
| Approved for vitiligo? | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | FDA Approved Non-segmental vitiligo, age 12+ (European EMA & other jurisdictions [PLACEHOLDER]) | [PLACEHOLDER] |
| Typical monthly cost | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] |
| Where to get it | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] | [PLACEHOLDER] |
Table 1.0: Comparative clinical modalities for repigmentation. All unverified items marked [PLACEHOLDER] pending jurisdictional audit.
Combining treatments
[PLACEHOLDER: text on combining topical agents with phototherapy or oral pulse therapy, as directed by a specialist]
Questions to ask your dermatologist
A clinical consultation is most effective when focused on disease trajectory, anatomical location, and step-wise escalation.
- Is my vitiligo active and spreading right now, or is it stable?
- Given which parts of my body are affected (face, torso, or hands), which treatment has the highest likelihood of repigmentation?
- Would a topical JAK inhibitor like ruxolitinib cream or a topical calcineurin inhibitor be appropriate before considering systemic therapy?
- How many months should I try a treatment before deciding whether it is working?
- Would combining a topical treatment with narrow-band UVB light therapy give better results for my patches?
Prescription Monograph & Supply Considering JAK inhibitor therapy?
Sources & Clinical References
- Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream 1.5% prescribing information, revised 06/2026.
- International vitiligo consensus guidelines [PLACEHOLDER].
- Cochrane review: Interventions for vitiligo [PLACEHOLDER].
Topical calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) and topical corticosteroids are widely utilized off-label as established first-line standards across international dermatological consensus statements.
Consultation Notice
Light therapy takes time. Most people need at least six months to see steady results.