Wanting to get laser hair removal, however I have vitiligo. Will hair removal work or will it make my vitiligo worse?

Yes. However, Laser Hair Removal only works on darkly pigmented hair so it will not work well on white/grey/blonde/lt brown hair. The skin color will not make too much of a difference but if the hair has also lost pigment the laser treatment will not work.

I would not recommend getting any laser or light treatment done if you have vitiligo.  Although the laser should be focusing on the hair follicle, it could focus on the little, if any, pigment you have in the area and make it lighter.  As you know, hypopigmentation is very difficult to treat so I would recommend that you do not take that chance.  Good luck.

Unfortunately, laser hair removal is not a good idea for individuals with vitiligo. This procedure has the possibility of agitating your condition and making it worse, as such I will not perform the procedure on any individuals with vitiligo at my center. I would be very wary of any practitioner that would approve you for the procedure.  

Hi,People with auto immune diseases such as vitiligo and lupus are not advised to under laser reduction treatment because it might trigger it. Theoretically the laser will work on hair that has retained some pigment but the risk outweighs the potential benefits. Paradoxically some forms of laser are being studied as potential management for vitiligo.All the best, Justin Harper, M.D.