About a decade ago, many people in the US probably had no clue what vitiligo was.
While theres been progress, unfortunately, theres still a long way to go.
Vitiligo can be characterized as segmental or nonsegmental in distribution.
Gracia Lam
Vitiligo is quite impactful.
There are a lot of misconceptions about what causes vitiligo and who can develop it.
Vitiligo is a condition that causes areas of the skin to lose color, according to the AAD.
Some people think that a person develops vitiligo because of their ethnicity.
Leah Antonio, 42, tells SELF shes been asked if her vitiligo is a Filipino thing.
Antonio says that she was refused service at a nail salon after her vitiligo spread to her legs.
I realized what was happening, so I walked out of the nail salon.
I was in tears as I walked to my car.
I was angry and felt sorry for myself.
This means that you cant develop vitiligo from touching someone with the condition.
Each persons experience with vitiligo is unique.
Some people with vitiligo may experience rapid pigment loss, while others may experience a slower progression.
It can be milky white patches or different shades of brown extending to white.
Some are even called confetti, meaning specks of white on the skin.
It can present in so many ways.
Each case of vitiligo is different and each responds to different treatments, she says.
While vitiligo cant be cured, it can be controlled with treatment, Dr. Wassef says.
Vitiligo means different things to every person with the condition.
Kamwa says that when she goes out without makeup on, people often stare.
Still, she says, I have learned to embrace my skin.
Having vitiligo can seriously impact a persons mental health.
Living with vitiligo definitely impacts your personality, Kamwa says.
In my case, I had to become strongand perhaps too strongto protect myself from potential mockery or insults.
This, she says, has sometimes made her feel defensive all the time.
McCarthy says shes faced bias in previous job searches because of the way her skin looks.
A few years ago, I applied for a job in sales at a hotel, she says.
I used to cover it up any way that I could, she says.
I would even tell my friends to warn their family or friends to not stare.
Now she views her skin in a more positive light.
People dont usually forget me, she says.
Between my energy and how unique vitiligo is, people always seem to remember me.
People with vitiligo want to be seen for more than their skin.
Antonio encourages people to be empathetic and kind when interacting with someone who has vitiligo.
Also, be supportive and understanding if you know someone living with vitiligo.
Let them know they are not alone and that there are communities out there that can help.
