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pigmentation

Posted by Kristianne Stallard on April 28, 2010 at 12:03pm

Hi everyone,

i just wanted to know if anyone had experience this before ive had my vitiligo for about 13 years now.. but whenever the sun gets to my skin i always seem to repigment but when im not in my white patches spread? i dont really understand it when they say you can't go in the sun? i went on holiday a few years back when my vitiligo was alot worse than what it is now, and i do always cover up, but i do have my days when i want to lay in a bikini and sun bath but in the week when i was on holiday in egypt which is very hot!!! i had lots of brown spots come back and ever since my vitiligo and has been much better? but i am carefull as it can be dangerous. i just feel really confused to be honest. i have done one bad thing which is go on a tanning sunbed before and i always said i never would but i thought i would give it 1 try and see what happens and alot of brown spots were coming back... im not suggesting that everyone should go in the sun or anything but im just confused

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Replies

  • Roya May 4, 2010 at 4:13am
    Vitamin D is the best thing you can give your Vitiligo. I repigmented most of my body years ago with natural sunlight. You need a small dose of it, daily. I try to get my spots a mild pink color and try to keep that color throughout the summer. I also have a UVB Narrowband panel in my home for days I can't get outside. It may not always repigment but it definitely keeps the spots from spreading. Good luck to you!!
  • Alexander Quin May 3, 2010 at 1:16am
    Who's telling you you can't go into the sun? That's such a frustrating myth sometimes even perpetuated by doctors. Sun does help many people in the repigmentation process. That's why there are even treatments based on exposure to light. What we have to be is careful to not overdo it, as our skin, where depigmented, is unprotected. Moderate exposure to light is good (it gives skin a reason to generate pigment), and in moderation, skin cancer should not be an excuse either, especially considering there has been scientific evidence showing people with vitiligo are slightly more protected against melanoma -- skin cancer of the pigments. Kinda ironic if you ask me.... Either way, the secret is to do things in moderation.
  • ahmed el gamil April 30, 2010 at 10:46am
    iam not sure about that .. its like a hell over here ! .. you can get sunburns easily ..
    • Kristianne Stallard > ahmed el gamil April 30, 2010 at 11:06am
      what in egypt? ive been there 2 times before and going again in 2 weeks, i do cover up but i do lay in the sun aswell im used to sunburns ive had blisters on my shoulders one time and now my shoulders dont have patches no more its gone back to my normal brown colour
      • ahmed el gamil > Kristianne Stallard April 30, 2010 at 2:15pm
        well .. its ur choice .. but ask your doctor about that first .. i live in a coastal city and sun isn't nice at all during summer =( .. where will you be in egypt?
        • Kristianne Stallard > ahmed el gamil May 4, 2010 at 9:02am
          sharm el sheik going next week so exciting!!
          yes i know i would probably get told off for going in the sun but i am very carefull :)
          • ahmed el gamil > Kristianne Stallard May 4, 2010 at 12:12pm
            omg the sun will be extreme .. but will be a nice weather and a nice sea sight! .. at then who cares for having vitiligo ? .. i won't resist jumping in the water and enjoying such a view :D .. hope you enjoy your next holiday ..
  • Domenic Polla April 28, 2010 at 4:16pm
    some spots get better with sunlight, but im pretty sure extended time in the sun during a summer job made my fingertips a lot worse than they were originally
  • Debbie April 28, 2010 at 1:47pm
    I totally understand your confusion! I am on 4 years with a recent diagnoses. I didn't have a problem with my few spots in Washington State ( I am also fair skin ) but when I moved to Hawaii 7 months ago, was unaware that I had Vitiligo and I was tanning a lot. That is when I started "collecting" a lot more spots when in the sun. The doctor told me to cover up my spots because of Cancer which i do now. I have one patch on my shin that I am sure is getting smaller and looks like brown pigmentation. Then I have some on my hands and face that even with high SPF still turn pink and sunburn.
    It seems to be different for each person.
    I don't have a problem covering up on the beach (although I am jealous of people who can tan) but when I go in the water I tend to burn fast. I am looking for a great waterproof sun block and hat for the water.
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