Treatments
Vitiligo Surgery in India
Quick answer
Vitiligo surgery transfers pigment-producing cells or small skin grafts from normal skin into white patches to restore colour. It suits people whose vitiligo has been stable, with no new or spreading patches, for a long period. Most procedures are outpatient, so international patients often need around a week in India.
Medically reviewed by The Curaventa Team · Last updated 2026-10-24
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At a glance
Vitiligo causes white patches where pigment cells (melanocytes) have been lost. Many people improve with creams, light therapy or newer medicines. When patches remain stable but do not respond, surgery can move healthy pigment cells into them.
Methods include punch grafting (tiny skin plugs), suction blister grafting, thin split-skin grafts and cellular grafting, where cells from a small donor area are separated and spread over a larger white patch. Light therapy is often given afterwards to encourage colour to spread.
Who needs vitiligo surgery
- Stable vitiligo with no new or enlarging patches for a sustained period
- Segmental vitiligo, which tends to be stable
- Patches that have not responded to medical or light treatment
- White patches after burns or injuries (leucoderma)
- People without a tendency to form keloid scars
How it is done
- A dermatologist confirms stability and selects the method.
- Local anaesthetic numbs both donor (often the thigh) and recipient areas.
- The top layer of the white patch is removed with dermabrasion or laser.
- Grafts or a cell suspension are applied.
- The area is dressed and kept still for some days.
- Light therapy is often started after healing.
Before you travel to India
- Photos of patches over time, showing stability
- Records of creams, light therapy or tablets tried
- Thyroid and other blood tests, if available
- Plan follow-up light therapy at home
Recovery and flying home
- Usually an outpatient procedure
- Dressings stay on for several days
- Flying is often possible after dressing removal
- Colour returns gradually over weeks to months
- Light therapy may continue at home
Risks
- Patchy or uneven colour
- Cobblestone appearance with punch grafts
- Infection
- New patches at donor site (Koebner effect)
- Scarring
Alternatives
- Topical creams such as steroids or calcineurin inhibitors
- Narrowband UVB phototherapy
- JAK inhibitor creams where approved
- Cosmetic camouflage
Conditions treated
Hospitals in India for vitiligo surgery
Frequently asked questions
Why must vitiligo be stable before surgery?
If vitiligo is active, grafted areas may lose colour again and donor sites may develop new patches. Stability gives the best chance of lasting results.
Which areas respond best?
Face and neck often respond well. Hands, feet, lips and joints tend to respond less.
How many sessions will I need?
Small areas may need one session. Larger areas may need several, depending on donor skin and method.
Can I continue light therapy after returning home from India?
Yes. Ask your dermatologist for a written plan. Many clinics worldwide offer narrowband UVB.
Will the new colour match my skin?
Usually close, but it may be slightly lighter or darker. Colour often blends further over months.
Medically reviewed by The Curaventa Team. Last updated 2026-10-24. General information, not medical advice. Medical editorial board · Editorial policy · How we get prices
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