In a world obsessed with Instagram reels and unrealistic beauty standards, the work of vitiligo awareness advocates cannot be undervalued. Knowingly and unknowingly, these champions are changing the story and promoting inclusivity for all skin types. Year after year, Unite For Vitiligo pauses to acknowledge and celebrate these trailblazers who are rewriting the course of history in their unique and powerful ways. In their honor, we document their profound impact on the vitiligo awareness movement. For our sixth annual tribute to these extraordinary individuals, we engaged with over 1200 people ..read more

More than a year back, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved topical Ruxolitinib (Opzelura) for repigmentation of nonsegmental vitiligo in a ground-breaking development. It was seen as a significant milestone in the treatment of the skin disorder. The approval was preceded by many clinical trials. The trials on Ruxolitinib focused on individuals aged 12 and older with non-segmental vitiligo and a body surface area of 10% or less. The primary efficacy endpoint, Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI) 75, showed a 30% improvement with Ruxolitinib cream at week 24. The results we ..read more

Trained immunity may play a significant role in the development of vitiligo. Scientists believe that trained immunity could have an even greater impact on the disease’s pathogenesis, acting as a continuous enhancer and trigger. In a recent study review, experts examined how immunity contributes to the pathogenesis of vitiligo. The review authors found that certain characteristics of vitiligo are associated with trained immunity-related patterns. These include cytokines and chemokines, the metabolism of immune cells, epigenetic marks, and mTOR signaling. What Did Previous Research Say? Various ..read more

Last month, supermodel Winnie Harlow was featured as the cover star of Women’s Health’s June issue. The interview given to the magazine highlighted her journey as a boundary-breaking model who has become a symbol of unique beauty. In the interview featured in the issue, Winnie spoke openly about-facing rejection in her early modeling days and the importance of staying true to herself. She also shared the story behind her chosen moniker, inspired by Winnie the Pooh and Marilyn Monroe’s idol, Jean Harlow. Winnie’s experience with sunburn during a photoshoot led her to create her own line of sun ..read more

Many actors are known for their transformative abilities to slip into the skin of various characters. They have the power to captivate audiences, taking them on an emotional journey through their performances. Jamie Foxx, an actor known for his versatility, in his latest movie, ‘God is a Bullet,’ takes on a role that sheds light on an often-misunderstood skin condition: vitiligo. Jamie Foxx has taken on this role with incredible sensitivity and authenticity. The decision to incorporate vitiligo into the character’s arc demonstrates Foxx’s commitment to representing diverse experiences on the b ..read more

Asia Every year, World Vitiligo Day (WVD) is officially hosted by a different country. In 2022, Mexico, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Med. Jorge Ocampo Candiani, served as the campaign headquarters for all World Vitiligo Day activities. This year, the global WVD headquarters shifted to Almaty, Kazakhstan, with Dr. Aliya Kassymkhanova serving as the honorary president. In India, home to a significant percentage of the world’s vitiligo population, the power of social media was harnessed by individuals like Prarthana Jagan and Manisha Malik, who have vitiligo themselves. These influencers we ..read more

My name is Roshaan Narkedayy, and I am a former IT professional, creator, and investor from Pune, India, aged 35. My experience with Vitiligo began when I noticed a small white patch on my neck after cutting my long hair in the Dhoni Style. Initially, I didn’t know what to make of it, but as the patches began to spread, I learned that I had a condition that causes a loss of skin pigmentation. I was heartbroken when I first learned about Vitiligo from my doctor brother while staying in my hostel during summer vacation. I was concerned about how it would affect my appearance as I aged, and I cri ..read more

World Vitiligo Day is an annual event observed on June 25th to raise awareness about vitiligo, provide support to individuals living with the condition, and promote research for effective treatments. The day was established in 2011 and has since gained global recognition, bringing together vitiligo patients, healthcare professionals, and organizations to advocate for better understanding and acceptance. 12 years down the line, World Vitiligo Day continues to provide an opportunity for: Raising Awareness (to increase public awareness about vitiligo, debunk myths surrounding the condition, and ..read more

Recent research (conducted by Desai S, McCormick E, Sodha P, Friedman A, and titled “Shining a light on vitiligo and associated comorbidities: what is the evidence?”) has shed light on the most common comorbidities often linked to vitiligo. In the recent review, researchers found that people with vitiligo are 2.6 times more likely to have an autoimmune or autoinflammatory comorbidity compared to those without the chronic skin condition. Most Common Comorbidities in Vitiligo Several comorbidities such as thyroid disease, alopecia areata, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome often occur in ..read more

Vitiligo is not just a cosmetic problem. It is a condition that can cause emotional heath issues and mental distress in the forms of low self-esteem, sleep problems, anxiety, negative self-perception, and depression. According to a study published in the journal Middle East Current Psychiatry in September 2021, about 75% of people with vitiligo report having psychiatric issues. Although there are treatments available, vitiligo has no cure, and people living with the skin condition may be at higher risk of developing other autoimmune disorders. In addition to this, patches especially on those w ..read more