After living many years in hot climates there is going to be undoubtedly some sort of sun damage to the skin. I always took care of my skin and rarely sun bathed. 12 years after returning from the sun drenched beaches we settled back into Europe. That is when I noticed my skin had patches and white circular spots. My first reaction was that it was sun damage, as when the sun is out it becomes more prominent. I have been diagnosed with Vitiligo which apparently is not sun related!
Due to the embarrassment of having ‘uneven’ skin pigment I decided to do research. The embarrassment has not gone away, but understanding the condition has helped me live with it easier. The following is what I have found and hope that anyone who has this will learn from it.
What is VitiligoVitiligo is quite a common skin disease which affects at least 1 person in 100 in countries worldwide regardless of the climate. Anyone, male or female, irrespective of skin colour or ethnic origin can develop the condition.
Vitiligo causes the skin, and sometimes the hair, to turn white in patches. Skin contains cells called melanocytes,these cells give the skin its colour. If these cells become damaged or destroyed white patches start to form due to the lack of melanin. The most common form of vitiligo appears in symmetrical form (generalized vitiligo) affecting both sides of the body. In some cases only one half of the body is affected (segmental vitiligo).
You cannot catch vitiligo. It is not infectious. It can cause severe psychological distress, especially when the face, neck, hands and genitals are affected. Many children and adults have been bullied because of this condition. Children need to understand the implications of bullying children with vitiligo.
Vitiligo is unpredictable. Some people may not notice a change in their condition for many years, while for others it can spread quite rapidly. In some cases the white patches can spontaneously re-pigment, particularly in children, though it is rare for the disease to resolve completely without treatment.
There are several theories but nobody is really sure what causes it. Extensive research is being carried out in various centers in different countries to find a solution. We know that the pigment cells do not function properly. My doctor told me that my autoimmune system was attacking my own cells, which is what is the probable cause of my vitiligo.
Other theories of cause are:
- hereditary
- thyroid problems
- Neuronal, where the nerves in the skin are implicated in the damage to pigment cells.
- Exposure to hydrogen peroxide is toxic to pigment cells.
- Hormonal change
- psychological stress
Those who remember the program The Malans, where the lead male earned the title of ‘The Malan Streak’ will know what I am taking about. I wonder if he had Vitiligo?
Can hair be affected also. The anser is yes. Below is an extract from a case study. We would like to thank www.vitiligo.org.uk for this information.
DYEING HEAD HAIR AFFECTED BY VITILIGO Abstract from the publication “Vitiligo – Understanding the loss of skin colour” by Marion Lesage for the Vitiligo Society (published 2002)
Every authority/manufacturer I have consulted tells me that there is no problem dyeing hair affected by Vitiligo, however people with hair affected by Vitiligo tell a different story!
The best advice I have received so far is from my own hairdresser, who says that a product which contains ammonia is essential to raise the hair cuticle. The ammonia will almost certainly have to stay on the hair for longer than for people who do not have hair affected by Vitiligo. Provided this is done there should not be a problem in getting the Vitiligo hair to accept the dye in the normal way.
Of course the need to use a patch test when trying out this method on yourself is essential. I would strongly recommend that anyone experiencing problems should contact the product manufacturer for advice and ask to speak to the technical department for product development. Only if enough customers do this will the manufacturers become aware of the problem. Then they will not be able to say that the problem does not exist and they may be motivated to do something.
I am going to try the ginseng care serum over the next few months to see if it will make any difference. The properties in is cream has proven to work on skin with eczema, bed sores, cold sores. Let’s see if we can have some kind of break through.
