Vitiligo is a skin disorder you may have never heard of – it’s very rare! Vitiligo affects less than 2% of the world population, however it greatly affects the lives of those who have the disease, both physically and emotionally.

What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo causes areas of the skin to lose all its pigmentation (melanin) and become pale and white. It can occur anywhere on the body, but is most common around the eyes and mouth, fingers and toes, elbows, knees and lower back. While vitiligo can have a sudden onset, this skin disorder usually slows or stops overtime. However, the loss of pigmentation is permanent and the newly pale skin will remain that way.

Who can develop vitiligo?

All races and genders can develop vitiligo. It is important to note that vitiligo can develop at any age. A majority of individuals with vitiligo begin seeing pigment loss before the age of 20.

Does vitiligo affect skin of color differently?

As a skin disorder, vitiligo acts the same way, no matter the skin type. Darker skin tones have more melanin cells to begin with, so loss of pigmentation usually is more noticeable.

What causes vitiligo?

According to Dr. Marthe Dika, board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology, “Vitiligo is caused by the destruction of melanocytes, which are cells in the skin that produce pigment. While it is unknown why these melanocytes die, it is believed to be a result of multiple factors, including genetics, stress, and autoimmunity. Patients with vitiligo often have a personal or family history of autoimmune diseases.”

Skin care for vitiligo

“If you suffer from vitiligo, the white areas of your skin are extremely sensitive to the sun,” noted Dr. Dika. “While you need to protect all areas of your skin from UV damage, it is particularly important to protect these areas. You can do so by minimizing sun exposure with wide-brimmed hats, sun-protective clothing, regular use of sunscreen, and by avoiding long durations of intense sun exposure.”

Can vitiligo be treated?

Like most autoimmunue diseases, to date, we do not have a cure for vitiligo. However, there are treatments that can improve skin color if patients desire it. According to Dr. Dika, “There are several treatments that attempt to repigment the skin. If the depigmented areas are small, topical medications may be recommended. For more widespread areas, light therapy may be more effective.”

Don’t forget that all skin is BEAUTIFUL! If you have vitiligo, feel free to embrace the unique look of your skin, taking care of it in the ways your dermatologist recommends.