Living with Vitiligo

Whether you’ve had Vitiligo your whole life, a few years, or are just recently experiencing it, chances are high that you’ve sought out more information or support about the skin condition. After all, it is a part of who you are and a part of your daily life.

Wherever you are in your journey, there are ways to embrace it and make the most of your life with Vitiligo.

There’s no reason to let it keep you from living life to the fullest, and it is important to learn as much as you can about the condition, what your options are, and who to talk to about it. Vitiligo may be out of your control, but you can still control how you choose to live in the world!

You’re Not Alone!

Even though there may be times when it feels like you are all alone and no one understands what you are going through, the truth is that you are not. There are over 1.5 million Vitiligo patients in the US alone, and while it’s nothing to be ashamed of, it is understandable that it can still feel isolating.

One way that can help you feel more comfortable with Vitiligo is to get out there and meet others who are going through a similar experience.

You may be surprised at how many meetups, events, and support groups exist for people with skin conditions, Vitiligo or otherwise and companies like Meetup and EventBrite will let you search to see what events are closest to your area!

In addition, here are some great resources to check out for more information and events near you:

• Vitiligo Support International
  
• VITFriends
  
• Vitiligo Bond, Inc.
  
• Daily Strength
• VR Foundation

If meetups aren’t your thing, there are lots of people in the digital world sharing their experiences with the condition. Here at Zanderm, we love sharing stories of people who inspire us with their personal journeys.

And, just for fun, take a look at this list of famous Vitiligans. Even people who live their lives in the spotlight have experienced what it is like to have a skin condition!

You may also want to try writing about your experience. Journaling is a great way to express yourself and can be helpful to understand the many emotions you may be feeling, especially if Vitiligo has added any extra stress to your life.

Whether you want to share your experiences with others is up to you. If living with Vitiligo has been especially tough for you, seek out a counselor if you think that speaking to a professional could help relieve any stress or anxiety you are experiencing.

 Choose Your Own Adventure.

As people become more and more aware of the skin condition, the number of options available to treat (or not treat) Vitiligo are increasing. Consider each one, and then decide what is best for you based on your needs and lifestyle.

• Cosmetics.Our specialty! There are many different types of concealers to try out there, but what’s special about Zanderm is that it lasts for days so you don’t have to worry about it rubbing off too easily. In addition, it dries quickly, it’s designed to match your unique skin tone carefully, it’s mess free, dermatologist-tested, and uses no oils, parabens or silicone-based ingredients. If you’ve never tried one before, here’s a great video on how to apply the Zanderm Single Use Vitiligo Concealer.

• Medical Treatment. While there is no known cure for Vitiligo, there are some medical treatments available to try. These range from topical creams, to pills, to light therapy, and even surgery. If you’re interested in exploring these methods, contact your health professional to learn more.

• Homeopathic Remedies. For some, unconventional methods have shown improvement, but there is little (if any) evidence to support effectiveness. Various sources have suggested acupuncture, Gingko Biloba treatments, vitamins, or herbs and minerals 

Embrace Your True Colors.

While exploring the many options of coping with Vitiligo, don’t forget to be YOU! Get out there and show the world your true self. At the end of the day, the feelings you have about yourself are the only ones that matter, and there are many people out there going through similar experiences.

Who knows? Vitiligo could be a blessing in disguise, because you never know what kind of connections you will make with others in the community, or the lives it will propel you to positively influence. You may discover that by simply embracing your unique attributes and those of others, you have actually made the world a better place.