VITILIGO TREATMENTS
Melanocyte Transplantation in Pune
For selected stable vitiligo patches that have not responded adequately to other treatments, melanocyte transplantation may be considered to support repigmentation using pigment-producing cells obtained from your own healthy skin.
1:1
Vitiligo
Assessment
Stable
Disease
Selection
Autologous
Cell
Treatment
Custom
Follow-Up
Plan
01
What it is
Melanocyte transplantation is a vitiligo surgical procedure in which a small sample of normally pigmented skin is collected from the patient. Cells from this skin—including pigment-producing melanocytes—are prepared and transferred to selected vitiligo areas.
The procedure is mainly considered for stable vitiligo, because ongoing disease activity can affect treatment success and may lead to new or expanding patches.
02
When may Melanocyte Transplantation be considered?
Patient selection is important. Surgical treatments generally work best in stable, carefully selected vitiligo rather than active, rapidly spreading disease.
For patches that have remained unchanged without new or enlarging areas for an appropriate period.
Selected localised patches may be suitable when the treatment area can be carefully planned.
May be considered when appropriate medical or light-based treatments have not produced satisfactory repigmentation.
Some patients with stable segmental vitiligo may be considered for surgical repigmentation after specialist assessment.
Selected stable patches on cosmetically important areas may be considered according to site and expected response.
Long-standing stable patches may be evaluated where medical treatment alone has produced limited improvement.
WHO MAY NEED FURTHER ASSESSMENT
Phototherapy is not automatically suitable for every person with vitiligo.
New vitiligo patches developing recently
Existing patches continuing to enlarge
History of raised or keloid scars
Active infection or inflammation in the treatment area
Expectations of guaranteed or perfectly uniform repigmentation
03
What to expect
Vitiligo stability assessment
The dermatologist evaluates the duration, pattern and activity of your vitiligo before considering surgery.
Donor skin & cell preparation
A small sample of normally pigmented skin is collected. The epidermal cells, including melanocytes and keratinocytes, are processed into a cell suspension.
Recipient-area treatment
The vitiligo area is prepared and the cell suspension is applied so transplanted melanocytes can establish within the treated skin.
04
Physician note
Successful melanocyte transplantation starts with disease stability—not with the procedure itself.
If vitiligo is still active, transplanted pigment cells may not provide the desired result. Careful stability assessment and patient selection are therefore among the most important parts of surgical vitiligo treatment.
Dr. Nihal Hussein
Aesthetic & Functional Medicine · DHA-licensed
05
Why Averah
Vitiligo Stability Assessment
Disease activity and patch progression are reviewed before surgery is considered.
Precise Treatment Planning
Donor and recipient areas are planned according to patch location, size and suitability.
Cell-Based Treatment Approach
Autologous pigment-producing cells are prepared from the patient's own normally pigmented skin.
Progress-Focused Follow-Up
Repigmentation and pigment distribution are monitored progressively after treatment.
06
Questions
Melanocytes are specialised cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for much of the colour in your skin. Vitiligo involves loss or destruction of melanocytes in affected skin.
It is a surgical vitiligo treatment in which pigment-producing cells taken from normally pigmented skin are transferred to selected depigmented areas.
Usually not. Surgical treatment is generally reserved for stable disease, and AAD advises against surgery when new or enlarging patches have appeared during the previous year.
No. Traditional skin grafting transfers pieces of skin. Cell transplantation processes cells from donor skin and places those cells onto the recipient vitiligo area.
They are generally obtained from a small area of the patient's own normally pigmented skin, making the procedure autologous.
Repigmentation develops gradually. AAD reports that most colour return occurs within approximately six months, although it may continue for up to 12 months.
No. Vitiligo currently has no guaranteed cure, and transplantation does not eliminate the underlying tendency to develop vitiligo.
Not always. Repigmentation can vary in extent, distribution and colour match, and outcomes differ according to patient and treatment-area factors. Surgical studies emphasise careful patient selection because responses are not completely predictable.
In selected cases, additional treatments such as phototherapy may be used around surgical treatment, although the ideal regimen varies and should be individually planned.
- BOOKING
Is Your Vitiligo Stable Enough?
A detailed consultation helps determine disease stability, patch location, previous treatment response and whether cell transplantation may be appropriate.
Consultation
Detailed assessment
Consultation
20–30 min
Best For
Post-acne scars & uneven texture
Downtime
Depends on treatment
Approach
Personalised & dermatologist-led
Best For
Selected stable vitiligo
APPROACH
Autologous cell transplantation
RESULTS
Autologous cell transplantation
Phototherapy suitability, frequency and treatment duration are decided individually.
Related treatments
PERSONALISED VITILIGO SURGERY
Stability first. Repigmentation second.
Melanocyte transplantation is not simply about placing pigment cells into white patches. Disease stability, treatment area, donor skin, previous response and individual healing all influence whether the procedure should be considered.
At Averah, the process begins with determining whether your vitiligo is sufficiently stable before discussing a surgical repigmentation approach.
MELANOCYTE TRANSPLANTATION
Is your vitiligo stable but still visible?
Start with a detailed vitiligo stability assessment to understand whether Melanocyte Transplantation may be an appropriate option for your patches.