VITILIGO, OR AS I LIKE TO CALL IT, LIFE’S STORY WRITTEN ON MY SKIN.
Vitiligo, or as I like to call it, life’s story written on my skin.
For those who don’t know, Vitiligo is a condition in which the skin loses pigment (specifically melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour). This photo was taken after my recent trip to Mexico, only 5 days in the sun. You can see how the patches of depigmented white skin stand out, in comparison to where my skin takes colour.
The first patches of non-segmental Vitiligo I found were 10 years ago, under my arms, which made me incredibly self-conscious at the time. Over the years, depigmented skin has popped up on my elbows, hands, and this year down my thumb and ring finger.
It’s the type of thing that people stare at with questions like "what happened to your skin?" Part of the frustration lies in not knowing why. Vitiligo is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, but there is truly a lack of knowledge and information. And many of the treatments are experimental.
Is there a cure? No.
Can you reverse it? No.
It’s unpredictable and the only thing we can do is try to control the spread. Which is good news for me because my latest patches are on my face, chin and the corners of my mouth (honestly my worst nightmare).
I’m fair-skinned, and so the contrast to depigmented skin areas are only obvious like this picture in the summer, or after I’ve been away. I am trying to fight it from the inside out by managing inflammation, gut health, stress as well as including a hormone protocol from my naturopath @drbronwyn.nd @yourwellth
Though it used to be something I tried to hide, now I’ve just started to own it. I can link each of my patches to stressful life events, that have literally left a story on my skin, but also made me who I am today. Here’s to shining a light on a hidden disease with limited awareness. Shoutouts to some of the most beautiful skin in the world and brands who are shedding a positive light on this condition. @breannerice @winnieharlow, @amy.deanna, @dove and @covergirl.
