"A week after I received the Novitil, using it 2 times daily I observed the following: At only the 2nd application, I regained the ability to sweat on the large white spots on my fore-head. The hair-loss treatment, which caused these white spots, had due to epidermal damage, shut down my sweat glands. As these large white patches on my forehead are showing a slight pinkish tint, I used a magnifying glass. I could see minute brown spots smaller than human hair beginning to appear in the white patches (...) and now after using your product for effectively around 2 weeks it has improved my extensive Vitiligo. Its as if the whole process is reversing itself. Congratulations, you have indeed a marvellous product. The money was well spent."

B. D., New South Wales, Australia

Update: "I originally tried your product in June of 2001. I repigmented rather quickly, using natural sunshine. However, over the winter, the spots returned in full force, which became quite noticeable when the California sun started tanning my skin in the spring. I restarted in April 2002, using a tanning salon for consistency. I was able to clear the most noticeable spots up by June, when I got married. I kept on with the treatments for the rest of the summer, nearly eradicating the spots, except for a few difficult spots. The treatment held, and now I am planning to restart treatment again, to hopefully rid myself of spots completely. Also…I thought the information may be useful, that treatment in a tanning bed works great, for about 10 minutes a day, every day. The repigmented spots start out darker, but do fade in with time. And continuing treatment even after the spots have filled in seemed to cement the treatment. Also, I am careful to avoid antibacterial soaps or other potentially harmful skin products, and use Neutrogena products exclusively...Your treatment gave me hope and courage to go on, and now I can show my face in public with confidence. Thank you again, so much."

Jonathan, California, US

"It was discovered perhaps 15 years ago that I had vitiligo after referral to a skin consultant. I subsequently was diagnosed as having an underactive thyroid (1) gland. Until Novitil came along I had been given steroid cream for a severe itch (2) that I suffered as the skin cells became dormant and I had counselling from some nurses who taught me to camouflage white spots. At the time there was no treatment and subsequently I was discharged. When I returned to the hospital later with a severe advance of the complaint I had missed out on the psoralen treatment and hearing the news recently I was quite glad. I found Novitil whilst looking for information about Vitiligo on the internet. The vitiligo began on my chest and very quickly at the age of 32 my hair began to turn white. Since then my skin has turned white symmetrically over my body last year reaching my knees as if the colour was falling out of the bottom of my feet. Last summer my face went white from the edges in. I have used Novitil with some considerable success on my arms which are now brown on the tops (this is spreading underneath) from t-shirt sleeve level to my wrists. I expected little from my hands. I have spread the remainder over my hands as if washing them each time I have applied the solution and they are now brown with white patches on the back which are closing. My fingers are similar. I began using Novitil on my face at the end of last winter and I am beginning to see results there also. I find that the brown occurs in spots which then join together to make rings these rings fill in and spread out over time even when I do not apply the solution. Novitil also is the first product which I have found which dissipates over active Vitilgo (dark brown areas which I have) and also stops the severe redness I have suffered with on my face after being outside (3). The weather in the North of England does not lend itself to sun bathing. I have found the use of an infra red lamp of some use but in advancing areas already awakened rather than starting new ones (4). Sitting behind glass on a sunny day in winter can be just as good as being outside in the summer (5). I intend to carry on using the gel on my face this summer and I have bought some more feminine t-shirts for the first time in a long while in order that I might start to bring back the colour on my chest and the top of my back (6). At 47 I am never going to be a beach goddess but to be able to wear normal clothes with out being stared at will be a tremendous bonus. I had a man fall over me last year he was so busy looking at my arms. I hope this information is of help to you.

Christine, Bradford, Great Britain

Notes: (1) Because there is a link between thyroid disease and Vitiligo, individuals over the age of 35 are usually screened in order to rule out thyroid disease. When required, thyroid treatment should be properly adjusted and followed up. (2) It is not uncommon to experience itching before depigmentation develops on a certain area. Itching may also precede the beginning of repigmentation. (3) Novitil seems to also have a protective effect that is often noticed by users. (4) Infrared light can be used as a complement but should not be used as a substitute for either sunlight or UV light. (5) Glass filters out some UV rays and because of this sunlight exposure through a window is less effective. (6) In practical terms, for many clients a step by step approach is easier than treating all depigmented areas at once.