Welcome to
The Vitiligo Society

As I write this, I am sitting in my garden topped up with factor 50 whilst enjoying the warm August weather. We’ve had some pretty hot days on record in the UK and it’s nice to be able to enjoy these moments and see the sun more like a friend than a foe, like I once did.

In recent months I’ve had a few people reach out to me expressing how the summer weather has heightened their anxiety because their patches naturally get darker in the sun. It’s a feeling I recognise and which always takes me back to my teen years when I avoided exposing my skin through fear of judgement. It got me thinking about how my confidence has grown over recent years and I’ve shifted my mindset to a more healthier outlook so below, I share some strategies I’ve learned over the years that might help you:

Keeping your skin safe

Living with vitiligo , we are especially vulnerable to sunburn because our white skin patches have no natural protection against the sun’s rays. Normal skin is protected by the skin pigment, melanin and the effect of the sun is to increase melanin production and to turn the skin brown to protect it from burning. This does not happen in vitiligo patches, where melanin is either absent or inactive. As a result, if vitiligo patches are not protected, they are likely to burn. The areas most at risk are those where the skin is thinnest, for example eyelids, nose, neck, and the backs of the hands. Not only is sunburn painful, but it has been known to stimulate the spread of vitiligo in some people. Sunburn may also increase the risk of skin cancer although there is research to suggest that vitiligo may be linked to some protection against melanoma.

However, it’s not often practical to avoid the sun completely, we all need some sunlight to keep healthy because it is our main source of Vitamin D. So you might want to spend short times in the morning or late afternoon outside when the sun is not so strong. With sensible precautions, vitiligo should not stop you from taking outdoor holidays in warmer climates but sunbathing on the beach may not be the best way to spend your time.

Be sure to use sunscreen with a factor of 50+ and reapply it regularly. There has been some discussion on our Facebook page about protective film for car and home windows. The rules from the Drive and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in the UK are that if you have got tinted vehicle side windows, the front windscreen must let in at least 75% of light and the front side windows 70%. There are no rules for tinting windscreen or rear passenger windows. Police vehicle examiners use light measuring equipment to measure the degree of window tint. If your windscreen or windows are tinted too much you can get a prohibition notice or a fixed penalty notice. ARC UVCL (ARC Window Films) or Dermagard (Bonwyke) are both high in sun protection factor but please check the relevant websites for specific details. It is your responsibility to check that the film you purchase complies with regulations. The British Association of Dermatologists recommend clothing as the first and foremost safety tip to protect the skin from burning. In addition parasols and hats can be used to protect yourself. Details of UV protective clothing can be found on websites such as Sunsibility, Equatorsun or Coolibar. Sunsibility state that their products have a built in sun protection factor of 50 and block 97.5% of UV rays. Amazon also carry a selection of UV protective clothing. Finally be sure to get some vitamin D. Sunlight is our main source of this vitamin, which is important for keeping bones, teeth and muscles healthy, so we need to ensure if we are protecting our skin that we take supplements to avoid becoming deficient.

Confidence starts within

If you’re like me you recognise the importance of external message, then positive affirmations and focusing on the things you love about yourself really helps with boosting your confidence. Over the past few years, in order to put my skin on the ‘back seat’, I’ve opened my mind to ways I can project confidence externally such as talking confidently about vitiligo when I’m asked questions, standing tall with good posture, staying connected with the community and feeling that sense of support and wearing clothes that make me feel good incorporating lots of colour and summary bold prints that always encourages compliments from others!

Getting active

I absolutely love yoga, going to the gym and keeping active. For me this has really helped increase my emotional wellbeing, reduce stress and the after feeling is very rewarding and satisfying. Finding time for exercise is important and it can be as simple as going for a casual walk mindfully or a light jog. Anything that helps release those wonderful endorphins!

Lastly, giving myself some grace and being kind to myself!

There are some days when I feel great about myself and there are others when I simply want to hide away and not face the world. And that’s okay. Showing yourself an increased amount of self-love and self-compassion during those times and reminding yourself of the journey you’ve been on and how far you’ve come helps to bring back the realism of the difficult journey vitiligo can be. This can help with cultivating a sense of inner
peace and acceptance.

As we start to see signs of warmer weather in the UK, it’s a good time to pause and remind ourselves of the importance of sun safety and what better time to get the conversation going than during Sun Awareness Week which started this week and continues until the 12th May.

Launched by our friends at the British Association of Dermatology in 1989, Sun Awareness Week is an important annual campaign that highlights the importance of sun safety and protecting your skin via public awareness, educational resources and promoting sun safety practices.  

There is a different theme every year with this year’s focus being on non-melanoma skin cancer. Paula Geanau, the Marketing and Communications Officer at the BAD, told us:

Sun Awareness Week is our way of kickstarting our summer-long efforts to raise awareness of skin cancer. It’s at the beginning of May to get people thinking about sun safety before summer hits. We recommend people start checking the UV Index, make sure their sunscreen has not expired since last year, and get into the mindset of being careful in the sun. Our focus this year will be on raising awareness of non-melanoma skin cancer and how to check your skin for this very common type of skin cancer.

In support of such an important week, we wanted to highlight some of the common terms you might regularly hear in relation to sun safety and what you need to know when it comes to protecting your skin.

UVA vs UVB – What’s the Difference?

UVA and UVB are types of ultraviolet radiation both dispersed by the sun but differ in how they affect to the skin.

UVA rays penetrate the skin much deeper reaching the deeper layers of the dermis which is the thick layer of skin beneath the epidermis (the top layer of the skin). UVA is the primary cause of aging skin, wrinkles and sun spots if exposed to the sun for too long without protection.

UVB rays mostly affect the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and is the main cause of sunburn which can lead to often painful skin reddening and can contribute to the development of skin cancer over time.

Why are those with Vitiligo Sensitive to the Sun?

When it comes to vitiligo, one of our biggest concerns is protecting our skin in the sun. If you are part of any forums or actively follow conversations relating to vitiligo, you’ll often find one of the common questions asked is; how do we protect our skin in the sun and what is the best SPF to use.

The reason why we are sensitive to the sun is because we lack pigment which means there is no natural protection from the sun, ultimately this means we burn a lot quicker and easier. It’s the reason why a high SPF is highly recommended for those of us with the condition.   

SPF Simplified: Your Guide to Sunscreen Strength

When it comes to applying sun screen once during the day is never enough. Reapplication is necessary to ensure we keep our skin protected throughout our time outdoors, especially during the warmer months.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and indicates how well sun screen protects against UV light that causes sunburn and redness in the skin, therefore the higher the SPF the better protected you are. The numbers can range from 2 – 100, with the highest number giving the most amount of protection.

To give you some indication here is how much protection SPF gives you based on the factor:

SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays SPF 30 blocks 96.7% of UVB rays SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays SPF 100 blocks 99% of UVB rays

It is highly recommended that those with vitiligo wear an SPF of at least 50 because the areas where there is a loss of pigment are less protected from UV light. In addition to providing protection against the rays, the SPF also tells you the amount of time it will take for your skin to redden. For example, if you apply an SPF of 50 it will take your skin 50 times longer to develop sun burn compared to someone who doesn’t wear any at all. Other factors to consider are whether a brand is dermatologically tested, whether it is water (and sweat) resistant and the star rating. For some, wearing a fragrance free product that easily absorbs into the skin and is suitable for sensitive skin is also a factor to be considered.

You will often see on the packaging a round circle with the letters ‘UVA’ which indicates that the product conforms to EU regulations for UVA protection. In addition, you will also see a star rating between 1 and 5 with a minimum rating of 4 being highly recommended. It is also advised that you use a separate sunscreen for your body and face. This is often due to the ingredients used, for example if you have sensitive skin or acne prone skin, a more sensitive sunscreen designed for the face is less likely to cause a reaction.

Dispelling Sunscreen Myths: What You Need to Know for Effective Protection

People of Colour don’t need to Wear Sunscreen

People with darker skin are better protected by the sun due to naturally occurring biological agents in the skin which absorb a proportion of UVR, with melanin being one of these (British Association of Dermatologists), however, this does not mean people of colour do not need to wear sun screen. There is still a risk of getting burnt and premature aging, it may just take a bit longer, therefore sunscreen is still highly recommended to use.

Beauty Products with an SPF is enough to Protect the Skin

Whilst beauty products such as foundations can offer a layer of protection against the sun, relying solely on the SPF in such products doesn’t offer adequate protection. A good quality sun screen is approved by the relevant regulations and is given an SPF factor with focus on protecting us against both UVA and UVB rays, therefore using a sunscreen in addition to makeup products is necessary.

Sunscreen is only Needed During the Summer Months

UV rays are present all year round and can break through the clouds (and even glass which is why it’s recommended that you wear a sunscreen when driving!) so whilst the sun might not feel present during the winter months, the UV rays are still very active. Therefore, making sun screen part of your daily routine is still important.

Top Tips for Protecting your Skin

According to beauty brand Nivea who speak frequently on sun safety, the sun is at its strongest between the hours of 11am and 3pm therefore it is advised to avoid the sun during this period. If you are naturally outdoors during this time, remember to reapply sun screen frequently and try to seek shade where possible. If you love to swim or partake in water sports then using a water-resistant sun screen is the best option, if not, reapply sun screen before and after swimming. In addition to sunscreen, wearing protective and loose clothing gives additional protection. Wearing a hat to protect your scalp, sun glasses to protect your eyes and wearing materials such as linen and close weave fabrics will help you to keep cool. REMEMBER to practice sun safety all year round. The rays are still very present during the colder months, even though you can’t necessarily feel the sun. The rays can break through the clouds so wearing a lighter SPF is advisable.

Remember, sun protection isn’t just about preventing sunburn and other types of skin damage, it’s about safeguarding your skin’s health for a lifetime of sunny adventures.