Vitiligo is a skin disease that causes the skin to lose color that affects 65-95 million people worldwide. Patches of lighter skin appear. Your dermatologist may call this “loss of pigment” or “depigmentation.” Pigment loss can occur anywhere on our bodies, including our skin, hair (scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or beard), inside the mouth, and genitals. The affected skin can lighten or turn completely white. Vitiligo can occur on any skin color.
Loss of color can occur on small parts of the body in patches or across the entire body in larger areas. This skin disease often forms on both sides of the body. Vitiligo can progress with time; some people see their vitiligo cover a large area.
There is no way to predict how much color a person will lose. Color loss can remain unchanged for years. Some people see patches enlarge and new spots appear. On a rare occasion, the skin regains its lost color.
There are subtypes of Vitiligo that your Dermatologist may diagnose you with depending on how much vitiligo appears on the body.
- Localized: One or a few spots or patches appear, but these are limited to one or a few areas of the body.
- Generalized: Most people develop this subtype, which causes scattered patches on the body.
- Universal: Most pigment is gone (rare).
Vitiligo is not contagious or life-threatening, but it can be life-altering. Living with vitiligo can cause other symptoms such as low self-esteem and depression.
According to the American Society for Dermatology Surgery, many who suffer from Vitiligo find relief through skin repigmentation with Micropigmentation or Paramedical Tattooing. A Certified Permanent Cosmetics Professional can accurately match your natural skin tone using special pigments to camouflage affected areas. Repigmentation is safe and virtually pain-free. Seek a Certified Permanent Cosmetics Professional who is also certified in Paramedical Tattooing and Micropigmentation to be sure you get the absolute best results.
To protect skin from further damage, Dermatologists recommend that patients with Vitiligo do the following to protect their skin:
- Protect your skin from the sun by using sunscreen every day.
- Wear clothing that protects your skin from the sun.
- Seek shade when possible.
- Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps.
If you are one of the millions, who are affected by loss or changes in skin pigmentation, visit your Dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and be sure you always protect your skin. Skin repigmentation using Permanent Cosmetics may provide you with a sense of increased self-esteem. Contact us for a consultation today.
View our skin camouflage before and after gallery.
