What is vitiligo?

Common Questions Mary Radford, RN | July 8, 2011 at 8:56 pm | Categories: Common Questions | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-pd

 

I know that sun damage looks like freckles and age spots on light skinned people, but what does it look like on darker skin?

Dark-complected individuals are not immune from sun-induced changes like brown spots, melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. In fact, the darker your natural skin color, the more likely you are to have cosmetic concerns related to hyperpigmentation. Although very dark black skin has a natural spf of 13, dark-complected individuals still experience higher death rates from skin cancer than fair-skinned ones. We believe this occurs because skin cancer is less visible and therefore diagnosed later in dark-skinned people and is typically more aggressive, leading to an increased mortality rate. The important information to take away is that all skin types, dark and light, need protection from the sun to look good and stay healthy.

 

What is vitiligo?

Vitiligo appears as large white patches on the skin that are devoid of pigmentation. It is an autoimmune condition affecting 1-2% of the population and is most strikingly visible and disfiguring in people of color. Medical treatment includes topical steroids,  tacrolimus, and the application of a photosensitizing agent followed by controlled UVA light exposure. Monobenzone or Benoquin is the treatment of last resort, permanently depigmenting any remaining unaffected areas to achieve an even color. Additionally, camouflage cosmetics can be helpful.

Posted via email from Beautiful Skin with Rodan+Fields