How does Selsun Blue affect vitiligo. What are the challenges of treating vitiligo in childhood. Why might someone choose to stop vitiligo treatments. How can self-acceptance impact living with vitiligo.

The Childhood Experience of Vitiligo Treatments

Vitiligo, a condition characterized by the loss of skin pigmentation, often begins in childhood. For many young individuals, this marks the beginning of a long journey filled with various treatments and emotional challenges. One such treatment, unconventional as it may seem, involved the use of Selsun Blue, a dandruff shampoo.

A vivid childhood memory stands out: a young girl, covered in blue shampoo from head to toe, running around the house to dry it off. This seemingly playful moment was, in fact, a prescribed treatment recommended by a family doctor in an attempt to address the vitiligo.

The Impact of Early Interventions

How do early treatments affect a child’s perception of their condition? For many, like the author, it instills the notion that their skin needs to be “fixed” or “cured.” This mindset can have long-lasting effects on self-esteem and body image.

• Physical discomfort of treatments
• Emotional stress of feeling different
• Pressure from well-meaning parents
• Frequent medical appointments

Light Therapy and Cream Treatments: A Double-Edged Sword

As the author entered her teenage years, the treatment regimen evolved to include light therapy and topical creams. These interventions, while medically sound, came with their own set of challenges and side effects.

The Process of Light Therapy

Light therapy for vitiligo involves exposing the affected skin to controlled amounts of UV light. This process aims to stimulate melanin production and restore pigmentation. However, it’s not without its drawbacks.

1. Skin burning sensation, similar to a sunburn
2. Temporary pinkish appearance of treated areas
3. Frequent, time-consuming sessions
4. Potential for skin irritation

The Emotional Toll of Treatment

How does the treatment process affect a teenager’s emotional well-being? For many, like the author, it can be a source of frustration and self-consciousness. The temporary nature of the results often leads to disappointment and a sense of futility.

Is the emotional burden of treatment worth the potential physical benefits? This question becomes increasingly relevant as individuals with vitiligo navigate their teenage years and early adulthood.

The Cycle of Treatment and Relapse

One of the most challenging aspects of vitiligo treatment is the cyclical nature of improvement and relapse. After dedicated adherence to treatment protocols, individuals may see significant improvement in their skin’s appearance. However, these gains are often temporary.

The Frustration of Temporary Results

What happens when treatment progress is lost? For the author, missing a few light therapy sessions resulted in a rapid reversion to her previous state of pigmentation. This experience is common among those treating vitiligo and can lead to feelings of hopelessness and frustration.

The emotional impact of this cycle cannot be understated. It can lead to:

• Feelings of failure or inadequacy
• Loss of motivation to continue treatment
• Questioning the value of medical interventions
• A sense of wasted time and effort

The Decision to Stop Treatment: A Turning Point

For many individuals with vitiligo, there comes a pivotal moment when they reassess their relationship with treatment. For the author, this moment arrived after years of dedication to various interventions.

Factors Influencing the Decision

What prompts someone to step away from vitiligo treatments? Several factors can contribute to this decision:

1. Physical and emotional exhaustion from ongoing treatments
2. Disappointment with temporary or limited results
3. A shift in personal priorities and values
4. Growing awareness of self-acceptance and body positivity movements
5. Financial considerations of long-term treatment

For the author, the realization that true happiness wasn’t contingent on skin color was a transformative moment. It marked a shift from seeking external “cures” to embracing internal acceptance.

Embracing Self-Love and Acceptance

The journey from treatment to self-acceptance is deeply personal and varies for each individual with vitiligo. For many, like the author, it involves a fundamental shift in perspective.

Redefining Beauty and Self-Worth

How can individuals with vitiligo cultivate self-love? It often begins with challenging societal beauty standards and recognizing the unique beauty of diverse skin patterns. This process may involve:

• Seeking out positive role models with vitiligo
• Engaging with supportive communities
• Practicing self-affirmation and positive self-talk
• Exploring creative expression through art or fashion
• Educating others about vitiligo to promote understanding

Can self-acceptance improve quality of life for those with vitiligo? Research suggests that individuals who embrace their condition often report higher levels of overall life satisfaction and reduced anxiety related to their appearance.

The Role of Mental Health in Living with Vitiligo

While much focus is placed on the physical aspects of vitiligo, the psychological impact of the condition is equally significant. Addressing mental health is crucial for overall well-being and quality of life.

Common Psychological Challenges

What mental health issues are prevalent among those with vitiligo? Some common experiences include:

• Depression and anxiety
• Social anxiety and avoidance behaviors
• Low self-esteem and poor body image
• Stress related to perceived stigma

How can these challenges be addressed? A multifaceted approach often yields the best results:

1. Professional counseling or therapy
2. Support groups and peer connections
3. Mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques
4. Education about vitiligo and its management
5. Advocacy and raising awareness to combat stigma

The Future of Vitiligo Treatment and Management

While the author’s journey led to a decision to discontinue treatment, it’s important to note that vitiligo research and treatment options continue to evolve. For those who choose to pursue treatment, new possibilities are emerging.

Emerging Treatment Options

What new treatments are on the horizon for vitiligo? Some promising areas of research include:

• Targeted immunotherapies
• Combination treatments using light therapy and topical medications
• Cellular therapies and skin grafting techniques
• Precision medicine approaches based on genetic profiles

How might these advancements change the landscape of vitiligo management? While it’s too early to predict outcomes definitively, these developments offer hope for more effective and personalized treatment options in the future.

Holistic Approaches to Vitiligo Management

Is there a middle ground between aggressive treatment and complete cessation? Many dermatologists now advocate for a holistic approach to vitiligo management that considers both physical and emotional well-being. This may include:

1. Selective treatment of highly visible areas
2. Integrating mental health support into treatment plans
3. Education on sun protection and skin care
4. Exploring camouflage techniques for those who desire them
5. Promoting self-acceptance alongside medical interventions

By adopting a more comprehensive approach, individuals with vitiligo can make informed decisions about their care that align with their personal goals and values.

Building a Supportive Community for Vitiligo Awareness

The journey of living with vitiligo extends beyond personal experiences to the broader societal context. Creating a supportive and informed community is crucial for promoting understanding and acceptance of vitiligo.

The Power of Representation

How does increased visibility of vitiligo in media and society impact those living with the condition? Positive representation can:

• Challenge beauty standards and promote diversity
• Provide role models for individuals with vitiligo
• Educate the public about the condition
• Reduce stigma and misconceptions

In recent years, models and public figures with vitiligo have gained prominence, helping to normalize the condition and inspire others to embrace their unique skin patterns.

Advocacy and Education Initiatives

What can be done to improve public understanding of vitiligo? Several approaches can be effective:

1. School-based education programs
2. Public awareness campaigns
3. Support for vitiligo research foundations
4. Social media initiatives and hashtag movements
5. Collaboration with dermatology associations for accurate information dissemination

By fostering a more informed and empathetic society, individuals with vitiligo can feel more supported in their journey, whether they choose to pursue treatment or embrace their natural skin appearance.

The story of Selsun Blue and vitiligo treatments serves as a poignant reminder of the complex journey many face when living with a visible skin condition. From childhood experiments with unconventional treatments to the profound decision to prioritize self-acceptance, each individual’s path is unique. As society continues to evolve in its understanding and acceptance of diverse skin conditions, those with vitiligo find themselves at the intersection of medical advancements and personal empowerment. The future holds promise, not just in potential treatments, but in the growing recognition that true beauty and worth extend far beyond skin deep.

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.