Breakthrough Vitiligo Cream Approved by NHS

A new cream, ruxolitinib, has been approved by the NHS to treat vitiligo, offering the first-ever possibility of restoring lost skin colour for affected individuals. This groundbreaking treatment will become available to nearly 100,000 Britons aged 12 and over who have the autoimmune condition, which causes white patches on the skin.

Experts consider the cream, applied twice daily, to be life-changing, especially for those whose vitiligo impacts the face, a factor known to profoundly affect confidence and mental health. Clinical trials demonstrated that many patients achieved at least a 75 per cent restoration of colour on their faces within six months.

Vitiligo affects approximately one in 100 people in the UK, and its impact extends beyond cosmetic concerns, often leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. Until now, NHS treatment options were limited to camouflage products, steroid creams with potential side effects, or light therapy requiring frequent hospital visits.

The approval follows negotiations with the manufacturer, Incyte, after an initial rejection last year. This marks a significant shift in care, providing a treatment that actively restores skin colour rather than merely concealing the condition. Ruxolitinib works by calming the immune system's attack on pigment-producing cells.