Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder that leads to the loss of color of the skin in patches due to the loss of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes), resulting in white patches. While it can affect any area of the body, it commonly appears on the face, hands, and around body openings.
Summer months, with the scorching heat and increased sun exposure, can be particularly challenging for vitiligo patients. The direct exposure of the sun rays on the white patches and the skin elevates the risks of worsening the contrast between pigmented and non-pigmented areas, making the condition more noticeable.
Opting for proper skincare during the summer months is an effective way to mitigate the complications. We will discuss and highlight all the skin tips for summer if you have vitiligo.
Understanding Vitiligo and Sun Exposure
As we have highlighted before, vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder that affects the melanocytes, disrupting melanin production in the skin. This particular disruption leads to the development of white patches.
Now, the question is, “What does sun exposure have to do with vitiligo?”
Sun exposure has been found to worsen vitiligo symptoms, triggering further pigment loss and worsening the appearance of the existing symptoms. Also, for the vitiligo patients, the lack of melanin in the white patches often leaves the skin more vulnerable to sun damage.
When it comes to skincare tips for the summer months, sunscreen stands out as a cornerstone of any skincare routine, irrespective of whether one has vitiligo. With optimal sun protection, you can:
- Prevent sunburn
- Minimize the spread of vitiligo patches
- Potentially stimulate pigment re-pigmentation
Some of the risks of excessive sun exposure for vitiligo patients include:
- Severe sunburn
- Increased contrast in the skin tone difference
- Triggering the development of new patches
- Increased risks of skin cancer
This explains why it is vital to include the right kind of sun protection in your skincare tips for Vitiligo.
Sunscreen and Sun Protection Measures
When your sole objective is to shield your skin against the harsh UV rays of sunlight, sunscreen plays a vital role in protecting the skin during summer.
Using sunscreen as a vitiligo patient comes with specific considerations. Here are a few worth paying attention to:
- When picking up sunscreen to shield your skin, especially the area with the white patches, the key is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 and higher. These sunscreens offer optimal protection against UVA and UVB rays.
- Patients with vitiligo symptoms often have sensitive skin, so using mineral-based sunscreens formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide has proven more beneficial.
- Sunscreen isn’t like other topical skincare products that can be applied once and forgotten. Instead, it requires reapplication. For optimal protection, you need to reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours.
- Beyond sunscreens, sun protection can also be done by wearing long-sleeved and covered clothing, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, etc.
There’s no “too much” sun protection, especially when you have vitiligo. Implementing all the relevant measures is key to proactively managing the symptoms.
Moisturizing and Hydrating the Skin
With the looming summer heat, one of the most common complaints people have is that their skin feels dry, dull, and damaged. When you are availing of vitiligo disease treatment in summer, it makes sense that you’d also have to address skin hydration issues.
When you have vitiligo, your skin is already susceptible to many vulnerabilities due to environmental factors. Dry skin further worsens the state of your skin, making it more irritated and less compatible with the vitiligo treatments that you might be undergoing.
Some factors to look for in your moisturizer:
- Look for fragrance-free moisturizers. These might sound “boring” and “bland,” but they are great for vitiligo patients with extremely sensitive skin.
- When buying a moisturizer, choose those formulated with hydrating ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and oatmeal, which soothe and hydrate the skin.
Once you have found a holy grail for moisturizing and hydrating your skin, generously apply it multiple times daily. Pay close attention to the vitiligo-affected sites and apply a thicker coat of moisturizer for deeper hydration.
Dietary Considerations and Supplements
Besides optimal skin care during summer, another factor influencing the vitiligo symptoms is the diet you consume. Around 5% of vitiligo triggers are due to the food you are ingesting.
Now, a mere 5% might not seem like a lot, but when you are already struggling with the extremity of the symptoms, it makes sense that you don’t want to worsen things further.
Eating a diet that’s focused on the usage of whole grains, fresh produce, lean protein sources, essential vitamins, and minerals is what you need to prioritize adding to your life. Additionally, focus on including antioxidative foods to prevent any kinds of oxidative stress in the body, which might trigger a cascade of cellular reactions that worsen the vitiligo symptoms.
As for supplements, we don’t encourage our patients at Kayakalp Global to consume unprescribed supplements. Every individual’s body is different, and so are their requirements. When you are struggling with vitiligo symptoms, there is a chance that your body might have some form of nutritional deficiencies.
However, that doesn’t mean consuming unprescribed medications or supplements. The key is to get a proper diagnosis and blood work, assess the nutritional deficiencies, and supplement them in the right dosage and frequency under the guidance of a specialist. That’s what we prioritize for our patients at Kayakalp Global.
Some foods that you need to avoid to keep your summer skin healthy and prevent triggering vitiligo symptoms are foods that lead to inflammation in the body. Instead, include foods that are anti-inflammatory in nature and will support healing and recovery from within.
Stress Management and Self-Care
Several individuals who are diagnosed with vitiligo and have obvious signs and symptoms of the disease struggle emotionally with the aftermath. Besides having low self-esteem, they are socially regressive and often struggle with stress that develops due to the patches on the skin.
Besides adding sun screen for summer skincare routine, you must also add self-care and stress management. Since stress can exacerbate the vitiligo symptoms, optimal management is key, and here’s everything you need to know:
Stress puts your body in a further state of fight-or-flight, worsening the vitiligo symptoms. Try indulging in stress management and relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
Self-care practices are a great way to self-reflect, focus on the positives in your life, and push aside the shortcomings that could be triggering your emotional turmoil. Try and find things that bring you peace and integrate them into your daily life.
Vitiligo doesn’t define you. Surround yourself with supportive people and practice self-acceptance. This will enable you to feel supported, heard, and seen, helping you overcome the challenges that you might face with your vitiligo symptoms.
Kayakalp’s Integrated Vitiligo Disease Treatment and Management during Summer
Summer months can already be harsh on the skin, and when you have vitiligo, the impact of the sun’s UV rays can leave irreparable damage (if not utilized the right way).
At Kayakalp Global, our vitiligo specialists utilize the biggest source of free renewable energy – the Sun. However, it has specific guidelines, such as how to use sun exposure to repigment the parts of the skin that have discolored due to vitiligo. For more you should consult our expert.
Vitiligo treatment with Kayakalp Global
Free Consultation
Most Affordable Treatment
1,00,000 + Happy Patients
FSSAI
Approved
Approved
Treatment at Home
25 + years of doctors experience
Vitiligo treatment with Kayakalp Global
Free Consultation
Most Affordable Treatment
1,00,000 + Happy Patients
FSSAI Approved
Treatment at Home
25 + years of doctors experience
Sargan Plus is a revolutionary ointment created by experienced doctors and specialists. It is an exclusive vitiligo-treating ointment that’s prescribed as part of the treatment plan for our vitiligo patients.
Usually, the instruction involves the application of Sargan Plus ointment on the affected parts of the body and following it up with 10 minutes of sun exposure. The patient needs to follow the exact period of sun exposure as advised by the doctors for desired and satisfactory results.
However, every patient’s requirements are subjective. Even the results they get from the treatment will vary, depending on the adherence to the treatment plan and the severity of the spread of the vitiligo patches. We thus encourage patients to schedule a consultation with our team of doctors at Kayakalp Global to assess the ideal treatment route.
Conclusion
Vitiligo can be challenging, but effective summer skincare strategies can help you manage it. By prioritizing sun protection, proper hydration, and a healthy lifestyle, you can minimize the impact of vitiligo and maintain healthy, beautiful skin throughout the summer months.
Our specialists at Kayakalp Global are here to streamline the process for you. From assessing your current state and severity of vitiligo symptoms to curating an individualized treatment plan that works for your skin, we offer comprehensive solutions that show guaranteed results. For more details and consultation.
Vitiligo treatment with Kayakalp Global
Free Consultation
Most Affordable Treatment
1,00,000 + Happy Patients
FSSAI
Approved
Approved
Treatment at Home
25 + years of doctors experience
Vitiligo treatment with Kayakalp Global
Free Consultation
Most Affordable Treatment
1,00,000 + Happy Patients
FSSAI Approved
Treatment at Home
25 + years of doctors experience
