Benefits of Chaulmoogra Oil for Vitiligo

Chaulmoogra oil , extracted from the seeds of the Hydnocarpus wightiana tree, has been used for centuries in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for its dermatological benefits. It is particularly useful in vitiligo due to its unique composition of rare cyclopentene fatty acids such as hydnocarpic acid, chaulmoogric acid and gorlic acid. These fatty acids, almost absent from other vegetable oils, give this oil specific properties that support skin repigmentation.

In vitiligo , melanocytes, the cells responsible for melanin production, gradually disappear due to an autoimmune reaction and oxidative stress. Chaulmoogra oil works in several ways. It promotes the stimulation of dormant melanocytes on the periphery of depigmented patches, which restarts melanin synthesis. It also has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that help reduce autoimmune aggression and stabilize the progression of the disease. In addition, it improves local microcirculation, which facilitates the supply of oxygen and nutrients essential for pigmentation.

Historically, chaulmoogra oil was used before sun exposure, and even today it shows great synergy with UVB 311 nm phototherapy, reinforcing the light-induced pigment response. Clinical observations describe a progressive repigmentation , sometimes visible as early as a few weeks, with the appearance of small pigmented spots that spread over the course of treatment.

Used alone, chaulmoogra oil can already provide significant support, but its effectiveness is significantly optimized when integrated into a comprehensive protocol. Combined with appropriate nutritional supplementation (vitamins B12, D, folates, copper, L-tyrosine, antioxidants), a pigmentation regulating gel such as VITISTOP® and UVB phototherapy with a medical lamp such as the Dermalight 80R , it helps to accelerate and stabilize the repigmentation process.

For cutaneous application, a few drops of oil are massaged onto the depigmented areas once or twice a day. As it can be slightly photosensitizing, it is best to use it under the supervision of a dermatologist , especially if combined with phototherapy . A prior skin test is recommended to check individual tolerance.

Thus, chaulmoogra oil represents a natural treatment that is both historical and modern. Thanks to its richness in unique fatty acids, its protective and stimulating action on melanocytes, and its synergistic effect with current treatments, it constitutes a valuable complement in the treatment of vitiligo, offering valuable assistance in improving skin uniformity and confidence in everyday life.

This text was written for informational purposes; the specialist who can make a true skin diagnosis is the dermatologist.