How does Selsun Blue affect vitiligo. What are the common treatments for vitiligo. Why might someone choose to stop vitiligo treatments. How does vitiligo impact mental health. What are the differences between vitiligo and tinea versicolor.

The Childhood Experience of Vitiligo Treatments

Vitiligo, a condition characterized by the loss of skin pigmentation, often leads those affected to seek various treatments in hopes of regaining their natural skin tone. For many, this journey begins in childhood, as was the case for the author of our featured story. Her experience with Selsun Blue, a dandruff shampoo, marks the beginning of a long and complex relationship with vitiligo treatments.

As a young girl, the author recalls being covered in blue shampoo from head to toe, an experience that seemed more like a game than a medical treatment. This playful approach to managing vitiligo highlights the innocence of childhood juxtaposed against the reality of living with a visible skin condition.

The Role of Selsun Blue in Vitiligo Treatment

Can Selsun Blue really help with vitiligo? While it may seem unusual, some doctors have recommended Selsun Blue as a potential treatment for vitiligo. The active ingredient in Selsun Blue, selenium sulfide, is thought to have antifungal properties that might influence skin pigmentation. However, it’s important to note that this is not a scientifically proven treatment for vitiligo and should only be used under medical supervision.

Light Therapy and Topical Treatments: The Teenage Years

As the author entered her teenage years, her treatment regimen evolved to include more conventional approaches to managing vitiligo. Light therapy and topical creams became a regular part of her life, each with its own set of challenges and side effects.

The Process of Light Therapy for Vitiligo

Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, is a common treatment for vitiligo. How does it work? The treatment exposes the skin to ultraviolet light, which can stimulate melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) to become active again. For the author, this process resulted in her white patches turning pink – a sign of renewed skin activity.

While the pink coloration was a positive indicator medically, it presented new emotional challenges. The author describes feeling “ugly” with the addition of pink patches to her already mottled skin tone. This highlights the complex interplay between medical treatments and psychological well-being for those with vitiligo.

The Emotional Toll of Ongoing Vitiligo Treatments

Continuous medical interventions can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health, especially when dealing with a visible condition like vitiligo. The author’s experience sheds light on the less-discussed aspects of vitiligo treatment – the emotional and psychological effects.

Parental Expectations and Treatment Adherence

For many children and teenagers with vitiligo, treatment adherence becomes a point of contention with well-meaning parents. The author describes feeling pressured to attend light therapy sessions and apply creams regularly, despite her reluctance. This situation is common in families dealing with chronic conditions, where parents’ desire for their child’s improvement can sometimes overshadow the child’s emotional needs.

The Frustration of Temporary Results

One of the most disheartening aspects of vitiligo treatment is the often temporary nature of the results. The author describes seeing progress after numerous sessions, only to have the pigmentation fade after a short break in treatment. This cycle of improvement and regression can be emotionally draining and may lead to feelings of hopelessness.

The Physical and Emotional Exhaustion of Treatments

How does the treatment process affect daily life? For the author, attending light therapy sessions multiple times a week meant more opportunities to be stared at in public, exacerbating her self-consciousness. The physical discomfort of treatments, combined with the emotional strain of constant medical intervention, created a taxing situation that eventually led to treatment fatigue.

The Decision to Stop Vitiligo Treatments

After years of treatments with mixed results, the author reached a turning point. A series of missed appointments led to a reversion of her facial pigmentation, sparking intense feelings of frustration and despair. This moment of crisis became a catalyst for change, leading her to question the very foundation of her approach to vitiligo.

The Realization of Self-Acceptance

What epiphany led to the author’s decision to stop treatments? It was the realization that true healing didn’t lie in changing her skin, but in accepting it. The author came to understand that her joy and self-worth should not be tied to the number of treatments she underwent or the amount of pigmentation she regained.

This shift in perspective marks a significant moment in many vitiligo journeys – the transition from seeking a “cure” to embracing one’s unique skin. It’s a powerful testament to the importance of mental health and self-acceptance in managing chronic conditions.

The Importance of Mental Health in Managing Vitiligo

The author’s story underscores the crucial role of mental health in dealing with vitiligo. While medical treatments focus on physical symptoms, the psychological impact of living with a visible skin condition can be equally, if not more, challenging.

Strategies for Promoting Mental Well-being with Vitiligo

• Seek support from mental health professionals who understand chronic skin conditions
• Connect with others who have vitiligo through support groups or online communities
• Practice self-care and stress-reduction techniques
• Educate yourself and others about vitiligo to reduce stigma and misunderstanding
• Explore creative ways to express yourself and celebrate your unique appearance

By prioritizing mental health alongside physical treatments, individuals with vitiligo can develop a more holistic and empowering approach to managing their condition.

Distinguishing Vitiligo from Other Skin Conditions

While the author’s story focuses on her personal journey with vitiligo, it’s important to understand how this condition differs from other skin disorders that may cause similar discoloration. One such condition is tinea versicolor, which can sometimes be confused with vitiligo due to its appearance.

Vitiligo vs. Tinea Versicolor: Key Differences

How can you tell vitiligo apart from tinea versicolor? Here are some key distinctions:

1. Cause: Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition where pigment-producing cells are destroyed. Tinea versicolor is caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin.
2. Appearance: Vitiligo presents as well-defined white patches, while tinea versicolor can be lighter or darker than surrounding skin and may have a scaly texture.
3. Location: Vitiligo commonly affects the face, hands, elbows, and knees. Tinea versicolor is more often found on the chest and back.
4. Progression: Vitiligo tends to spread over time, while tinea versicolor may come and go with changes in climate or body chemistry.
5. Treatment approach: Vitiligo treatments aim to restore pigment, while tinea versicolor is treated with antifungal medications.

Understanding these differences is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. If you’re unsure about skin discoloration, it’s always best to consult a dermatologist for an accurate assessment.

Embracing Diversity in Skin Appearance

The author’s journey from seeking treatment to embracing her natural skin is reflective of a broader societal shift towards celebrating diversity in appearance. This movement has gained momentum in recent years, with many individuals with vitiligo choosing to forego treatments and instead advocate for greater acceptance and representation.

The Rise of Vitiligo Representation in Media and Fashion

How has the perception of vitiligo changed in popular culture? In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the visibility of individuals with vitiligo in media and fashion. Models with vitiligo have graced the covers of major magazines and walked in high-profile fashion shows, challenging traditional beauty standards and promoting a more inclusive definition of beauty.

This increased representation has had a positive impact on many individuals with vitiligo, providing role models and helping to normalize the condition in the public eye. It has also sparked important conversations about skin diversity and the arbitrary nature of beauty standards.

The Impact of Self-Acceptance on Quality of Life

What are the benefits of embracing one’s natural skin? For many individuals with vitiligo, like the author, choosing self-acceptance over continuous treatment can lead to significant improvements in quality of life. These benefits may include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety related to treatment regimens
• Increased self-confidence and positive body image
• More time and energy to focus on other aspects of life
• Improved relationships as self-acceptance often leads to greater social comfort
• The ability to become a positive role model for others with vitiligo

While the decision to stop treatments is deeply personal and may not be right for everyone, the author’s story illustrates the profound impact that self-acceptance can have on one’s overall well-being.

The Future of Vitiligo Management: A Holistic Approach

As our understanding of vitiligo evolves, so too does the approach to managing the condition. While medical treatments continue to advance, there is growing recognition of the need for a more holistic approach that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of living with vitiligo.

Integrating Medical and Psychological Support

What might a comprehensive vitiligo management plan look like? An ideal approach would integrate medical care with psychological support, potentially including:

• Dermatological treatments tailored to individual needs and preferences
• Regular mental health check-ins and access to counseling services
• Education about vitiligo and its management
• Support groups or peer mentoring programs
• Guidance on cosmetic options, such as makeup or self-tanners, for those who choose to use them
• Resources for addressing social and professional challenges related to vitiligo

By addressing the multifaceted nature of vitiligo, healthcare providers can offer more comprehensive support to individuals navigating life with this condition.

The Role of Research in Improving Vitiligo Care

Ongoing research into vitiligo continues to shed light on its causes and potential treatments. Recent studies have explored genetic factors, autoimmune mechanisms, and novel therapeutic approaches. While a cure remains elusive, advances in understanding the condition offer hope for more effective management strategies in the future.

It’s important for individuals with vitiligo to stay informed about these developments while also recognizing that personal well-being doesn’t hinge on medical breakthroughs alone. The author’s story reminds us that sometimes, the most profound healing comes from within, through self-acceptance and embracing one’s unique beauty.

As we continue to learn more about vitiligo and develop new approaches to its management, stories like the author’s serve as powerful reminders of the importance of individual choice and the transformative power of self-love. Whether one chooses to pursue treatment or embrace their natural skin, the journey with vitiligo is deeply personal and worthy of respect and support.

Why I Said ‘Goodbye’ to Treatments as a Girl with Vitiligo

Treatment

Shawna Simmons Photography

Zoila Holt

Zoila Holt is a lifestyle blogger, student and YouTube junkie…

I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was a little girl with vitiligo, standing in the bathroom in my pink panties, covered in wet blue shampoo from head to toe. Once my mom gave me the okay, I would run around the house to help dry the shampoo on my body. I had so much fun running around all blue – I thought it was hilarious. The “blue” was Selsun Blue, a dandruff shampoo that our family doctor thought would help heal my vitiligo. Little did I know, it was just the start of years of treatments.

Treating My Skin as a Girl with Vitiligo

I started light therapy and cream treatments as a teenager. The light therapy would, in a good way, burn my white patches like a sunburn and they would turn pink. Pink meant life in my skin, which meant pigmentation would return. It was good news for my skin, but it hurt just like a regular sunburn and I felt ugly looking in the mirror and seeing my burnt body. Brown and white skin was bad enough – now I was pink too.

I didn’t like having to go to these treatments, but to my parents, it wasn’t an option. While they meant well, they would get disappointed in me when I didn’t go to light therapy sessions or would forget to apply the cream. I heard a lot of lectures about the benefits of the treatments, but they couldn’t see how hard it was for me. Going to light therapy a couple times a week was just more opportunities for me to leave the house and be stared at. More than that, the treatments were exhausting. After countless sessions, I would start to see progress and my naturally tanned skin would return. But it wasn’t a permanent solution and after even a short break, the results would fade.

Why I Said ‘Goodbye’ to Treatments

After years of being burnt, embarrassed and frustrated with treatments, I ended up missing a handful of light therapy sessions and the pigmentation on my face reverted back to vitiligo. It was as if I had wasted years of my life. I felt disheartened, cheated, robbed, hurt, sad, angry, ugly, hopeless and alone. My dermatologist noticed my frustration and tried having a heart-to-heart conversation, but I was angry. As he talked about other options, it suddenly hit me – I was done with treatments.

So much of my life was spent treating my skin because I needed to “get better.” I was raised with the idea that I needed a treatment to help me get better. But the only thing I needed to do was to love my skin the way it was. I decided that it was time to embrace my skin, take care of my mental health and love the girl looking back at me in the mirror. My joy should not be based on the number of light treatments I went to last week or how much of my pigmentation is returning. True happiness comes from loving yourself despite that.

Zoila Holt

Zoila Holt is a lifestyle blogger, student and YouTube junkie who loves to sing. Originally from El Salvador, these days she calls Vancouver home.

Zoila Holt August 15, 2016

Distinguish Between Tinea Versicolor and Vitiligo

If you notice light- or dark-colored areas on your skin, you may wonder what’s causing them and how to treat them. Two common causes of skin discoloration are tinea versicolor and vitiligo. Even though these skin conditions may look similar, they have different causes, and you’ll need to try different strategies to get them to clear up.

Jordan Abbott, MD, a dermatologist with Banner Health, explained more about what these conditions look like and how to treat them.

Tinea versicolor (TV), also called pityriasis versicolor, develops when too much yeast grows on your skin. The excessive yeast leads to a rash that looks like round flat patches which can be lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. It most often strikes the chest and back.

Vitiligo is an acquired disorder of depigmentation of the skin. “Normally your skin has pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. They produce melanin, which gives the skin its color. In vitiligo patches, these pigment-producing cells are absent,” Dr. Abbott said.

Both conditions can appear as light spots on the skin, and they don’t usually have any other symptoms. “If you didn’t see them, you wouldn’t know they were there,” Dr. Abbott said. In rare cases, tinea versicolor can be slightly itchy or dry. Neither condition is contagious, so don’t worry about catching TV or vitiligo if you touch someone who has it. Both can develop in people with any skin color.

How can you tell them apart?

TV and vitiligo usually affect different parts of your body. You’ll usually spot signs of vitiligo on the face, hands, elbows and knees. It’s unusual to see tinea versicolor on the hands or legs. TV is most common on the chest or back.

And the discoloration isn’t the same for both conditions. “While they both can have spots that are lighter than the surrounding skin, the color appears different to a trained eye,” Dr. Abbott said. TV can be a few shades lighter than the unaffected skin, due to decreased pigment in these spots. With vitiligo, the skin lacks all pigment in the affected areas, so it appears chalk or milk white. 

What to know about tinea versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a common fungal infection caused by a yeast called Malassezia, also known as Pityrosporum. This yeast normally grows on your skin and usually doesn’t cause any trouble unless here’s an overgrowth—that’s what causes tinea versicolor. 

Heat, humidity and excessive sweating can trigger TV, so you see it more often in tropical climates. People also may develop this condition in the spring when the weather warms up. Oily skin is another risk factor, so it is more common in teens and young adults. And athletes are also at risk because of the sweaty, humid environment underneath their uniforms or workout clothes. To keep tinea versicolor infection from recurring, you should avoid excessive sweating, sun exposure and heat. Wearing sunscreen or protective clothing and opting for loose-fitting garments made of cotton can help reduce sweating.

How to diagnose and treat tinea versicolor

Your health care provider can usually diagnose tinea versicolor by observation—it looks different than vitiligo and other skin conditions. They might use a tool called a Wood lamp which uses utraviolet light to see the patches more clearly.

If you’re diagnosed with TV, your dermatologist will probably recommend a short course of topical antifungal treatments you apply to your skin or take by mouth to help the rash clear up. 

“It may sound funny, but one of the common treatments is to use anti-dandruff shampoo, like selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue) as a body wash in the shower,” Dr. Abbott said. That’s because the same yeast that causes TV may also cause dandruff. “It works best when you lather the product on your skin and allow it to sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.” 

Some people who get tinea versicolor repeatedly use dandruff shampoo as body wash regularly to keep it at bay. Because the yeast that causes TV lives on your skin all the time, flare-ups are common.

What to know about vitiligo

Vitiligo is believed to be an autoimmune disorder where your immune system’s cells attack the melanocytes that produce pigment in your skin. It can be associated with other autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease and type 1 diabetes. People commonly see it start around age 20. Some medications, such as immunotherapy used to treat certain cancers, can trigger vitiligo.

How to diagnose and treat vitiligo

Like TV, doctors can often diagnose vitiligo by examining your skin. If they need more information, they may take a skin biopsy so the cells can be evaluated in a lab.

If you have vitiligo, your doctor may recommend skin creams, pills or light therapy (phototherapy) for treatment. If the affected areas are smaller (less than 5% to 10% of your skin), you’ll probably try a skin cream first. 

If vitiligo is spreading quickly, your doctor may prefer an oral medication that can help slow down or stop the spread.