Vitiligo can be safely treated by skin transplant surgery, doctors at Henry Ford Hospital have stated.

Researchers post assessing about 23 patients suffering from vitiligo and noted about 52 per cent of skin’s natural colour was regained after surgery. More improvement was seen in eight patients who were suffering from a specific type of vitiligo as their skin post surgery regained 74 per cent of its natural skin color.

Cells are taken from areas of the body that are normally-pigmented. These cells are then transferred to damaged areas of the skin. Local anesthesia is given before performing the surgery.

Iltefat Hamzavi, M. D. a senior staff physician in Henry Ford's Department of Dermatology and the study's senior author and principal investigator said, "This surgery offers hope to vitiligo patients. The results achieved in our study were of obvious significance to our patients."

Dr Hamzavi says that this kind of treatment for some patients is more effective as compared to standard treatments like light therapy and topical medications.