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.

When your child lives with vitiligo, the sun can sometimes feel like both a friend and a foe. Sunshine lifts our mood, supports our immune systems, and helps our bodies make vitamin D—but for skin that lacks melanin, it also comes with specific risks.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Alia Ahmed, a Consultant Dermatologist, who shared her expert advice on how to protect children with vitiligo while still letting them enjoy the magic of the outdoors.

Here’s everything you need to know to help your child thrive safely in the sun.

Why Sun Protection Matters for Vitiligo

Sunlight contains ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which comes in different types:

UVA: Penetrates deeply into the skin, speeds up aging, and passes through glass. UVB: Affects the top layers of the skin and causes sunburn. UVC: Thankfully, blocked by the ozone layer.

For children with vitiligo, this is especially important—depigmented skin has no melanin, our natural defense against UV rays. This means there’s a higher risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage, including an increased risk of skin cancer. So, sun safety isn’t just about comfort—it’s about long-term health.

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

With so many sunscreen options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here’s what to focus on when selecting one for your child:

1. SPF and UVA Star Rating SPF (Sun Protection Factor) protects against UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB radiation. SPF 50 blocks about 98%. UVA Star Ratings (0 to 5 stars) reflect UVA protection. Aim for 4 or 5 stars for strong coverage.

Even small differences in SPF can significantly reduce how much UV penetrates the skin—SPF 30 allows half as much UV to reach the skin compared to SPF 15.

2. Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen Mineral (Physical) Sunscreens: Use ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays. Great for sensitive skin and safe for babies. Chemical Sunscreens: Absorb UV rays and convert them to heat. They’re thinner and often more transparent, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

Mineral options offer immediate protection, while chemical ones need to be applied ahead of time and reapplied frequently.

3. Using Sunscreen Effectively Apply 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every 2 hours, or after swimming/sweating. Don’t forget hands, ears, the back of the neck—commonly missed spots! Use spray formulas with caution—it’s easy to miss areas. Even indoors, UVA rays can come through windows, so daily application is a good habit to build. Special Considerations for Babies & Young Children Babies over 6 months should have sunscreen applied to all exposed skin. Keep little ones in the shade between 11am and 3pm. Dress them in long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, UV-protective sunglasses, and breathable, loose-fitting clothes. Consider UV-protective films for car windows. Always keep them well hydrated, especially during hot weather. What to do in cases of sunburn Give cool baths or showers. Apply a soothing moisturizer. Ensure they drink extra fluids. Use child-safe anti-inflammatory creams for discomfort. Seek medical attention if needed especially if the sunburn is severe, causes blisters, or if the baby shows signs of heat stress like fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, dehydration or feeling faint. Babies younger than one year with a sunburn also require immediate attention from their healthcare provider What About Vitamin D?

We all need vitamin D, and the sun helps our skin make it naturally. But for children who avoid the sun due to vitiligo, you might wonder if they’re getting enough.

The good news? Vitamin D can also come from:

Fortified foods (like yoghurts, cereals, and margarine), Oily fish, Supplements (ask your GP about age-appropriate doses).

Even brief exposure—like letting your child’s face, hands, or forearms see sunlight during a short walk—can help. But if your child has very fair skin, a family history of skin cancer, or uses immunosuppressants, it’s best to stick to protected exposure and focus on food and supplements instead.

Teaching Kids About Sun Safety

Sun safety can (and should!) be part of everyday life. The earlier children learn, the better. Here are a few ways to make it fun and easy:

Involve them: Let them help apply sunscreen or choose a fun hat. Make it playful: Use a spray or colored sunscreen so they can see where it’s going. Explain simply: Talk about the “sun’s invisible rays” and how sunscreen works like magic armor. Test new products: Always try a small patch first to check for irritation, especially on sensitive skin.

For babies and young children, look for fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formulations with SPF 50+ and broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

✅ Quick Sun Safety Checklist 🎓 Teach sun safety early as a daily habit ☀️ Use SPF 50+ sunscreen with 4 or 5 UVA stars 👒 Dress in sun-protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats 😎 Add UV-protective sunglasses 🕶️ Stay in the shade between 11am–3pm 💧 Keep hydrated 🔁 Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours (more often if swimming or sweating) 🍽️ Talk to your doctor about vitamin D supplements