Quick Take
A well-known Facebook post suggests that an online product is highly effective in managing vitiligo patches. After verifying the claim, we discovered that it is completely false.
The Claim
A Facebook post is promoting an Ayurvedic topical therapeutic for vitiligo-related white skin patches. The trending claim with the caption सफ़ेद दाग़ के मरीज़ों के लिए अब उम्मीद है – 3 महीनों में आराम, वरना दवा मुफ़्त, highlights how well the formulation known as Leugo kit has been able to handle a case with generalised skin depigmentation.
While we would rather not cast doubt on a sensitive success story, the product’s effectiveness is called into question due to the complex nature of vitiligo. Additionally, one success story might not be sufficient to establish the Leugo kit as the primary therapeutic intervention for a condition that impacts lakhs of individuals.
Fact Check
What exactly are vitiligo-related lesions? Why are they usually a matter of concern?
Vitiligo is a condition marked by depigmented areas of the skin brought on by melanocyte loss or dysfunction. Melanocytes are essentially the cells that synthesise melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. These symmetrical depigmented lesions can appear anywhere on the body and have the potential to grow over time.
While the condition is painless, it is more than a cosmetic concern. This is due to the fact that it can have a substantial impact on one’s social, psychological, and physical well-being, particularly when lesions are visible on exposed parts like the face and hands. Moreover, the sickness may be associated with autoimmune diseases like diabetes, pernicious anaemia, and thyroid-related conditions.
Vitiligo-related lesions are concerning not only for aesthetic reasons but also for overall wellness, psychological stability, and social functioning.
Which product does the claim promote? Is it trustworthy?
The claim promotes the use of an Ayurvedic intervention known as the Leugo Kit for vitiligo, which is alleged to reduce or repigment the white patches (safed daag) associated with the condition. Despite the product’s widespread promotion, reliance on it usually hinges on the following:
Chemical breakdown of the Leugo Kit:
Although the official website and any regulatory databases do not disclose the product’s formulation breakdown, certain blogs or marketing pages assert that the company’s creams and lotions contain bakuchi, tulsi, panvad beej, bakayan, calaguala, reetha, rosemary, tea tree, and gandhak.
For any Ayurvedic product to be sold in the market, it needs to reveal the exact quantity, standardisation, and purity tests of its ingredients. As the exact chemical composition of Leugo Kit has not been reported, claims that the product is completely herbal are questionable.
Legitimate certification:
We were unable to locate any reliable evidence from the publicly available data, such as:
- Having an AYUSH approval certificate and being included in the official AYUSH certification registries
- AYUSH or GMP mark declarations on the official website
- Additional state and central government certifications
- CDCSCO listing
Even while the product and social media pages claim that the kit is approved by the Ministry of AYUSH, we were unable to locate any of the aforementioned details throughout our probe – (including the QCI and IMPCL list) into the Leugo Kit, which casts doubt on its credibility.
Is the Leugo Kit backed by rigorous clinical trials? Should one rely on anecdotal reports instead of clinical trials for vitiligo?
No, not exactly. Upon searching the PubMed-indexed clinical trials for the effectiveness and safety of the Leugo Kit for vitiligo, we were unable to come across any peer-reviewed, randomised controlled trials. Considering the paucity of scientific studies substantiating the notion that vitiligo patches can be repigmented with Leugo Kit, the product is unreliable.
Bakuchi (scientifically known as Psoralea corylifolia), one of the product’s herbal ingredients, has been thoroughly investigated for its melanogenic properties. However, these studies remain limited to a small scale. Conversely, the management of vitiligo relies on clinically tested therapies, including phototherapy, corticosteroids, and topical calcineurin inhibitors, supported by both large-scale trials and dermatological guidelines.
Our research indicates that manufacturers’ claims of high effectiveness with no side effects are based on anecdotal reports and testimonials instead of robust scientific evidence, making dependence on the product risky.
How does Ayurveda work for patients with vitiligo?
The Ayurvedic tradition describes vitiligo as a skin condition that results from an imbalance in the three doshas (Pitta, Kapha, and Vata), with a particular impact on the Pitta dosha, which is responsible for metabolism and skin pigmentation. From this perspective, this imbalance also entails a contamination of deeper tissues and can be brought on by impaired digestion, mismatched foods (Viruddhahara), psychological stress, or excessive intake of particular tastes, such as too much sour, salty, or pungent food.
This concept constitutes the basis for Ayurveda’s holistic therapy for vitiligo, which includes detoxification and specific herbal therapies such as Bakuchi, Manjistha, neem, and khadir, along with specific lifestyle modifications.
Ayurveda offers a highly specific and comprehensive approach to vitiligo, referred to as ‘Shwitra’ or ‘Kilasa’, by focusing on the root causes of disease rather than just the symptoms,” asserts Dr. Pallav Prajapati, BAMS, Founder of Chetanya Ayurveda, Varanasi. He further explains that a person’s Dosha, Agni, and Bal are among the personal characteristics that influence their course of treatment. Given that Bakuchi is frequently used as a medicine for vitiligo, an Ayurvedic practitioner might combine it with other formulations based on the needs of each patient.
Despite their potential for support, random online Ayurvedic remedies may not be beneficial to everyone, especially those who are sensitive. Therefore, it is advised to consult a licensed Ayurvedic practitioner for a personalised therapeutic strategy.
What makes addressing vitiligo so challenging?
Managing vitiligo lesions can be difficult because of their complex and uncertain causes. Some potential explanations include the following:
- Its incurable nature is primarily attributed to the complex interaction of oxidative stress, environmental, autoimmune, and genetic variables, making it very difficult to pinpoint a single, obvious cause.
- Next, vitiligo frequently co-occurs with other autoimmune diseases, indicating a systemic immune dysregulation that attacks pigment cells in particular. Furthermore, oxidative damage in melanocytes enhances sensitivity, and environmental stressors such as psychological strain or sunburn could contribute to or worsen the medical condition.
- Permanent or complete recovery is more difficult in vitiligo-affected areas due to the restricted nature of melanocyte renewal. This finally calls for the administration of therapies that target the autoimmune damage at its root, ensuring sustainable restoration of melanocytes.
As the Chief Consultant and Medical Director of Persian Lily in Maharashtra, Dr. Swati Watwani, an Aesthetic Dermatologist and Cosmetologist, informed THIP Media that vitiligo cannot be completely cured because to its genetic basis. Even with the incredible results of the latest procedures and state-of-the-art medications, it could happen again at any time.
This is further supported by Dr. Ekansh Shekhar, Dermatologist, Cosmetician, Trichologist, and Consultant in Aesthetic Medicine from Lucknow, who maintains that currently, there is no permanent solution for vitiligo. Besides making the condition seem better and offering relief, conventional therapy can help control it, restore some skin pigmentation, and prevent it from spreading. Therefore, determining the best course of treatment for your condition requires close collaboration with a dermatologist.
Is it wise to manage vitiligo with products purchased online?
Absolutely not. It is highly discouraged to use products bought online to manage vitiligo, a chronic autoimmune condition. It might be mostly because white skin lesions can be caused by a variety of conditions, including vitiligo, eczema, fungal infections, and post-inflammatory hypopigmentation. Inadequate assessment could result in misidentification and ineffective therapy.
Online self-medication products expose consumers to potentially hazardous substances, raise the possibility of diagnostic errors, and delay access to essential medical care. Furthermore, many internet therapies foster unrealistic optimism, yet because they are devoid of factual support and make unsupported claims, they may worsen the issue or present unexpected challenges.
Dr. Gurman Singh Bhasin, Director & Chief Dermatologist, Skinclarity Clinic, Nagpur, further explains this by stating that vitiligo is a complicated autoimmune condition that requires a medical diagnosis and tailored care. Despite their extensive marketing, online products frequently lack stability evaluations, scientific validation, and formulations suitable for vitiligo phases. As a dermatologist, he strongly cautions against using these products exclusively. Protocols based on data, not internet fads, should direct management of a sensitive skin condition such as vitiligo.
Conclusion
Regardless of being promoted as an Ayurvedic remedy for vitiligo lesions, publicly accessible data reveals that the Leugo Kit is not accredited by AYUSH, GMP, or CDCSCO. Therefore, before relying on such claims, one should confirm the regulatory documentation, cross-check AYUSH/QCI databases, and consult with Ayurvedic practitioners and qualified dermatologists.
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