Vitiligo can be a disfiguring skin disorder that causes embarrassment for those who are affected.

But new treatment options are offering hope for a Texas boy just in time for the start of the new school year.

At just six years old, people often had just one question for Ramon Cintron:

"What is that on your forehead?"

The vitiligo didn't bother him too much, but his mother knew it was just a matter of time.

"It's not a life-threatening situation," said Lisa Cintron, Ramon's mother. "It's mainly a psychological one affecting kids. They isolate because they feel different or because the kids make fun of them."

Ramon had tried traditional, full-body light therapy but didn't like it and results were slow.

"It was like a closet," said Ramon, "but you had to get in it and it had lots of lights and you had to put sunscreen on everyday."

"The full body unit is an excellent treatment for patients who have vitiligo all over their body and they need the treatment everywhere," said Dr. Kent Aftergut, dermatologist. "But the disadvantage for someone who has just a limited area, you're exposing their normal skin to UV light that's unnecessary."

His doctor suggested a new course of treatment a few months ago.

The Xtrac laser focuses UV light only on the affected areas, stimulating the cells that produce skin pigment.

With the vitiligo 85% improved, his mother is hoping for a full recovery so he can start the new school year with his best face forward.

The Xtrac laser can be used on other skin disorders as well, including psoriasis.