Can patients with vitiligo be exposed to sunlight?

Vitiligo patients can generally be exposed to sunlight, but should pay attention to the method and duration. Since vitiligo is a depigmenting disease caused by damage to melanocytes in the skin, appropriate sunlight exposure, especially narrowband UVB light (with a wavelength around 311 nm), can help repigmentation of the white patches. However, prolonged or excessive sun exposure may cause sunburn, and particularly for patients in the acute or progressive stages of vitiligo, sunburn may trigger the appearance of new白斑 (white patches). Patients should moderate their sun exposure, choose appropriate times of day such as early morning or evening, and avoid going outdoors when sunlight is strongest at midday. At the same time, it is important to use protective measures such as sunscreen to reduce the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin. In summary, sun exposure has both benefits and risks for vitiligo patients, and should be arranged reasonably according to individual conditions.