The NHS will make the first approved medicine to restore lost skin colour available to tens of thousands of people with vitiligo affecting the face. Ruxolitinib cream will be offered to almost 100,000 patients aged 12 and over with non‑segmental vitiligo — the common form in which pale patches typically appear symmetrically on the face and body.
The topical treatment is applied twice daily to affected areas, with progress commonly reviewed after about six months. It will be available where conventional steroid creams have failed or are unsuitable, after the NHS struck a deal with the manufacturer.
Clinical trials found ruxolitinib produced significantly better facial re‑pigmentation than placebo, with many participants regaining around 75% or more of the original skin tone in treated areas.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin pigment. Around 1 in 100 people in the UK have the condition. It can appear anywhere on the body but most often affects the face, neck and hands, and can emerge or worsen after illness, stress or skin injury. Although it is not usually physically painful, visible patches—particularly on the face—can cause major emotional distress and affect confidence, identity and mental health, with changes often more noticeable on darker skin tones.
Ruxolitinib works by dampening the immune reaction responsible for pigment loss, allowing colour to return gradually. Until now, treatment options were limited to cosmetic cover‑up, short‑term topical steroids (which can thin skin if used long term) and light therapy, which requires repeated hospital visits and may not give durable results.
Professor Meghana Pandit, National Medical Director at NHS England, said the decision recognises the real impact facial vitiligo can have on people’s day‑to‑day lives and that having an approved treatment that can restore colour — rather than only concealing it — could be life‑changing for some. She noted it may not be suitable for everyone but marks important progress in care.
The drug had initially been turned down for NHS use in August 2025, but a rapid review and negotiations with maker Incyte led to a new agreement and subsequent approval by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Callum Pickering, 41, from Ipswich, who first noticed vitiligo at age 10 and has experienced spreading patches on his face and body, said he has learned to live with and speak openly about the condition but still feels self‑conscious. He welcomed a widely available treatment, saying it could make a huge difference for people who want help restoring their skin tone.
Abigail Hurrell, CEO of The Vitiligo Society, described the NHS decision as a historic step that acknowledges the psychological and social burden of vitiligo and moves the community toward more equitable care.
Like all medicines, ruxolitinib can cause side effects; the most common are mild local reactions such as redness or irritation at the application site.
