Second Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Vitiligo in Japan (2025)

Vitiligo is a common acquired hypopigmented disorder characterized by melanocyte damage and/or loss, primarily resulting from excessive oxidative stress and dysregulated immune responses targeting melanocytes. The initial guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo in Japan were published in Japanese in 2012 and in English in 2013 to provide clinical evidence for vitiligo management. Since then, there has been a substantial accumulation of pathological research and therapeutic evidence. The second guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo in Japan (2025) are presented as an updated resource for clinicians, incorporating worldwide expert recommendations and recent advances in basic and clinical research. These guidelines aim to provide updated knowledge for individuals with vitiligo, public health professionals, scientists, and dermatologists.