'Hello' jeans and long sleeves and 'goodbye' self tanner and bathing suits! I am most comfortable with my vitiligo when I don't have to try so hard to hide it during the cooler months (because I'm so fair-skinned). I know I should be comfortable in my skin ALL THE TIME, but I am jealous to not have the ability to throw on a pair of shorts and tank without worrying about exposing what makes me different in the summertime when my skin is more noticeable. It makes it hard for me to enjoy things I like, such as swimming and the beach (which I haven't been to in 2 YEARS!!!).
I've had this disease since I was a baby and I only once, for a brief amount of time tried protopic which I discontinued after experiencing burning sensation. One, it freaked me out and two, I didn't think it was worth the money to spend on something that MIGHT work. I hope that one day soon, there will be something that will surely work, but until then I will endure the inconvenience of self tanner. I'm just so thankful that I have a strong support system at home and I hope that with this outlet, I can get to know more people who I can actually relate to.
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I've been havnig a tough summer dealing with my vit too. I have it on my hands, elbows, legs, feet and some spots on my shoulders. I've been training for a marathon since June, so the rest of my skin has gotten tan from running outside. I just want it to fade (i'm pretty fairskinned) so I can look "normal."
Spring, Winter and Fall are my favorite season because of my vitiligo. Summer is the worst for me, however I do not show my vitiligo, I have it on my arms, legs and body. When I do wear short sleeves I use cover up makeup which is not exactly my skin color but atleast it's better than looking spotted white. I hate to use it but most times in the summer when it's very hot and I have to go out, when I choose to wear short sleeves I wear the cover up. I hate my vitiligo with a passion and I don't think I will ever be brave enough to go out in public with it being noticeable. I am still hoping and praying that one day there will be a cure or at least something to stop it from spreading.
devon > Princess SinghSeptember 18, 2009 at 4:47am
i don't like none of the seasons... i never been to the beach cuz i can't swim... i'm only comfortable in my room...
I agree!! Bring on Fall, i am pretty fair skinned too and i am much more comfortable and confidant in the cooler months. the summer is by far the worst time of year.
I feel the same way. I was diagnosed last year which really surprised me since I am 27 years old. I first noticed it last summer on my thumb. Now its twice as big and on my other thumb. Thats why Im here so that I know what to expect. So now Im just trying to stay healthy and eat/drink/sleep right and dont let it get to me. Like anyone my age I looooove women and dmy friends hate that I have(had) the confidence to talk to any girl. I guess they feel comfortable around me. Now I hardly go out. When I got tanned at the beginning of the summer and noticed how large the spots had gotten, I lost all confidence and thats a large part of who I am. so now my tan is wearing off and I feel a lil better. But cold weather is onlyhalf the year. I really want to feel comfortable with my skin again. I always think about 3 years ago when I didnt have vitiligo and would go everywhere with just a pair of shorts and flip flips. I miss and envy those days....
Your post made me feel better - I'm glad I'm not the only one who is hating summer. I was diagnosed at the beginning of this summer and it has made it difficult to enjoy the outdoors. I have a few spots on my face and I tan VERY easily. I once thought my olive skin and receptiveness to tanning was a blessing - now I feel it's a curse. I have two little boys who love to be outdoors playing and that made it even harder. I wear a lot of hats and a 70 SPF sunscreen, but I am happy the weather is turning cool and I can pack my shorts and bathing suit away until next year. I live in Albany, NY and I'm glad the weathe is snowy or rainy and cold 9 months out of 12!! :-) It's very depressing though because I have always been a fan of sun and warm weather. I was a lifeguard for years and taught swim lessons and my parents have a beach house and a boat. Right now I long for those things and never realized how much I took them for granted. I hope it will get easier as the years pass and I begin to accept my condition more.
OMG I KNOW !! I FEEL EXACTLY THE SAME WAY UGH SUMMER IS SO FUSTRATING =/ ITS LIKE ME AND MY FRIENDS WILL HIT THE BEACH OR POOL OR SUMTIN AND I CANT ENJOY MYSELF LIKE THEY DO UGH SO IM SOOOO SOOO SOOO GLAD FALL IS SO CLOSE :DD
All of my friends like to just lay on the beach absorbing the sun and I just can't deal. They tan unprotected while I spend my day putting on the sunblock...but hey, when we're older, who's gonna have leather-skin?? Not I!!!
I am glad that it is turning into long sleeves and jeans season, too. I have started noticing that people don't want to touch my hands. Cashiers are the worst. I have decided to lose as much of my tan as possible so that the spots don't show. The self tanners don't match my skin tone and I can't find a makeup that matches either. I end up looking blotchier and really odd with two different colours of brown on my skin. One winter, I had a friend remark that my vitiligo was "getting better" because the tan on my hands had faded. She meant well, but it still bothered me.
It's saddening to hear that people are scared to touch your hands, that is very ignorant. I hope that more awareness is raised so more people can understand what it is. I get inquisitive looks and I speak up...I try to be as open about it as possible. I've gotten the same comment from my friend in the winter as well about my skin "getting better," but I took the time to educate her. She was very interested in learning about it and some of my friends think its "cool."
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