There may be a host of reasons why you are here reading up on vitiligo. For example, you have the condition or you or a loved one may have been recently diagnosed with vitiligo. Perhaps you’ve had the condition for a while and just want to keep updated with the latest research and feel part of a like-minded, understanding community.

But, first things first…

Vitiligo, also called ‘leucoderma’, is a long-term (chronic) skin condition that causes an area of the skin to lose its colour (pigmentation). Melanocytes (the skin cells that make pigment) which results in the area looking white or pink in appearance.

Vitiligo can actually appear anywhere on the body, but it’s more likely to develop in some of the following areas:

Anyone can develop vitiligo at any age. There is no prejudice in terms of who can develop the condition. Therefore, it can affect anyone, whatever their skin colour or ethnic origin, but will be more visually prominent in those with darker skin. People with fairer skin colour may not even realise that their skin is not making pigment.

Vitiligo is most common in people that have a family history or other autoimmune diseases. Although vitiligo can start at any age, 95% of people who have vitiligo develop the condition before their 40th birthday.

MYTH #1: Vitiligo is contagious.
FACT: You can’t catch vitiligo and you certainly can’t pass it on by touching someone.

MYTH #2: Vitiligo causes cancer.
FACT: Vitiligo does not cause cancer, nor is it a sign or symptom of cancer.

MYTH #3: Vitiligo is linked to albinusm or leprosy.
FACT: Vitiligo isn’t linked to albinism or leprosy.

MYTH #4: Vitiligo can be passed onto someone else.
FACT: Vitiligo is not an infectious disease.

MYTH #5: People with lighter skin can’t get vitiligo.
FACT: Anyone can develop vitiligo at any age or any race.

MYTH #6: Vitiligo is not a physically harmful condition.
FACT: Vitiligo can negatively impact a person’s quality of life and self-esteem.

There are three known types of vitiligo:

Each type of vitiligo is dependent on how many patches someone has and where they might present on the body (see screenshot below). 

Focal vitiligo is found in patients with a few vitiligo spots in a single area.

Segmental vitiligo is the most unusual form of vitiligo where patches are generally found on one side of the body and nowhere else.

Generalised vitiligo, also known as non-segmental vitiligo, is found in patients with many patches all over the body. They tend to affect the right and left sides of the body in a symmetrical pattern, almost like a mirror image.

Generalised vitiligo is the most common type of vitiligo and is also known as ‘universal’ or ‘complete’ vitiligo.

Yes, vitiligo can be considered hereditary. Even though vitiligo is not strictly associated with family genetics, it can run in families.

Approximately 30% of people with the condition will have a family history of vitiligo. Therefore, children will not get vitiligo strictly on the grounds that a parent has it. However, they do stand a higher chance of developing the condition.

Vitiligo is caused by the lack of pigment in the skin, meaning there aren’t enough working melanocytes to produce enough melanin. However, why vitiligo occurs is not currently known.

Vitiligo is thought to be linked to autoimmune diseases, which result in the immune system attacking its own healthy tissues in error, instead of foreign cells such as viruses or bacteria. The first signs may be in an area of the skin that has received extensive sun damage.

Yes, it’s generally thought that around 15-25% of people with vitiligo may also be affected by one other autoimmune disease such as:

Many people with vitiligo also find a correlation between eczema and their patches.

Vitiligo tends to be more common in people who have a genetic history of vitiligo in their family or who have been affected by one or more of the following autoimmune diseases:

Many people with vitiligo also find a correlation between eczema and their patches.

It is thought that several factors can contribute to its onset:

Products that contain phenol (also known as carbolic acid or phenic acid) can be possible triggers of vitiligo. These products include:

There is no way to prevent the development of vitiligo, but there are ways you canhelp prevent it from getting worse. For example, learn more about how implementing a suncare routine and changes to your diet can help you manage your vitiligo symptoms.

It may start as a small white spot that differs from the normal skin tone, but, as time goes on, this spot will become paler until it turns white.

How the patches develop are wholly unpredictable. For some, they can develop and expand slowly over time, while for others it will never progress much further than a spot or two. Although rare, in some cases, the patches will develop rapidly. In some exceptionally rare cases some people have even experienced ‘spontaneous re-pigmentation’ of the skin.

There aren’t that many symptoms associated with vitiligo, but we’ve included the following:

One thing to also consider is that although vitiligo symptoms will present both physically and visually they can also affect someone’s emotional wellbeing due to the stress involved with an ongoing condition.

The best way to know if you have vitiligo is to go and see your doctor. You can even prepare for your visit by doing the following:

During your visit, your doctor will ask several questions concerning various areas of your life including family history and whether you have had any injuries. If available, your patches will be examined using a ‘Woods Lamp’ (ultraviolet lamp) which will assist in narrowing down and eliminating the possibility of it being another skin condition.

Being diagnosed with vitiligo can be highly emotional and stressful. No doubt you’ll have a million and one questions rushing through your head. The first thing to remember is that you are by no means alone and there are many groups and information sources out there (and on The Vitiligo Society website here) to help you.

Regarding vitiligo treatments, there are a variety of methods that may help restore pigmentation, although the outcome may not be permanent or even stop the spread of patches.

You may decide that you don’t want or need to try treatment methods. You can discuss the best options with your doctor or dermatologist. An alternative method to concealing white patches on your skin is to use camouflage. Skin camouflages are longer-lasting waterproof creams, designed to blend your vitiligo patches to your natural skin tone. Applications to the face can last 12-18 hours and 2-3 days if applied to the body. This may help if the white spots are causing you to feel self-conscious.

Currently, there is no known cure for vitiligo. Ongoing research seeks to change this in order to provide patients worldwide with more options in how to manage or treat this condition.

You can learn more about popular management techniques and treatments for vitiligo on our Living With Vitiligo page.

As mentioned before, vitiligo is not life-threatening and for some, embracing their new life with vitiligo is not a problem.

That being said, some people find that vitiligo negatively impacts their quality of life and self-esteem. For example, you may not like the appearance of your skin and feel like it affects social interactions, or you may find it upsetting no matter how large or small the patches. Also, some children may experience bullying for looking different.

Don’t ignore your feelings: keep talking about them, this is all normal. Do seek help if you feel that your condition is having a negative impact on your emotional and mental well being. It is fine to feel sad and upset, as, in some cases, it is a big change.

There are also some additional things that you may need to consider more carefully when you have vitiligo, in particular in relation to seeking cosmetic treatments that may damage or irritate your skin. We have written an number of articles to help you navigate this:

Vitiligo can be challenging, but the condition does not have to get in the way of your hope and dreams – everyday people are living healthy active lives with no restraints.

For instance, Top Canadian model Winnie Harlow is a prime example of how vitiligo isn’t a barrier to worldwide success. Since appearing on American’s Next Top Model, Winnie has been gracing international runways and magazines alike.

Golden Globe Award winning actor Jon Hamm’s vitiligo (see video below) was brought on by stress during the filming of the pilot for Mad Men. This hasn’t stopped this famous actor going on to receive a multitude of nominations and awards in his ever expanding career.

Just remember, when armed with the right help, support, and information, there is no reason why you can’t carve your own path to self-acceptance.