Vitiligo is a condition in which the pigments are lost from areas of the skin, causing whitish patches on the skin. It is due to abnormality of melanin producing cells called melanocytes (special skin producing colour pigments).The white patches often change shape , shrink or grow. They may even remain constant throughout the life. The extent and rate of colour loss from Vitiligo is unpredictable but it usually appears on sun-exposed area, such as hands, feet, arms, face and lips. It can affect any skin type or any part of the body including hair as well as the tissues (mucous membranes) that lines the inside part of the mouth, nose, genital and rectal area and the retina of the eyes.

It is non contagious disorder and does not affect any internal organs of the body but having a great social stigma and is stressful for the patients.

Generally it affects 1 to 1.5% of the world population. But in India it is around 1.5 to 2% of population. Vitiligo affects all races and both sexes equally and maximum cases below the age of 40.