You must have seen cases where parts of one’s skin is fairer than others, or as if some parts of their skin is peeling off. This skin disorder is called vitiligo.
Vitiligo occurs when some patches of skin lose pigmentation or when the melanocytes die and stop producing melanin. As a result, they leave some patches of darker and fairer skin on the same body. Some people might have a few patches on the concealed parts of their skin, while some others have large patches on the exposed parts of their skin.
It can happen at any age in life, but mostly appear before the person turns 20, and it’s more visible in people with dark or tanned skin. In the US alone, there are over 5 million people with vitiligo, and some of them are celebrities.
Although not a sickness, vitiligo can have adverse effects. It might alter people’s ego, social status and acceptance, and cause them to be uncomfortable with themselves. It’s not always easy living with a skin that you don’t even accept yourself. But, I want you to know that vitiligo can’t hinder you from being who you ought to be.
One known celebrity with vitiligo is Michael Jackson, who used to wear white gloves and tapes on his fingers to cover it up. The vitiligo didn’t stop him from being the King of Pop, and it can’t stop you, too.
How to Cover Up Vitiligo
There are many ways and methods you can cover up vitiligo. These methods have worked for many people, and it gave them the necessary confidence and boldness they need.
Camouflage Tattoo
Camouflage tattoos work by combining traditional tattoo methods with some special formulated pigment to blend away the vitiligo patches. Its result works quite fine, and is expected to be permanent like a normal tattoo.
Liquid Dyes
This works by combining henna paste, Bismarck brown, indigo carmine and potassium permanganate to apply on the vitiligo patches. This method is only temporary, and can be easily washed off.
Phototherapy
This method exposes the skin to ultraviolet lights for a long period of time to see effective results. Areas around the lips, fingertips, and eyes, however, won’t be covered up effectively.
Removing the Remaining Pigment
In cases where the vitiligo has spread widely and affected more than 50 percent of the skin, most people tend to remove the remaining pigments in their skin to have one skin color. This method is not advisable and might expose your skin to complex skin diseases.
Surgical Treatment
For this method, the skin’s unaffected areas are transplanted into the affected parts. This kind of method is costly and isn’t commonly used.
Self-Tanning
Self-tanning works by applying tanning products on the affected skin. They can be in the form of lotions, sprays, and creams.
One of the most commonly used and highly effective methods is self-tanning. Self-tanners work as a cover-up to the vitiligo-affected areas of the skin, by matching the color of the tan on the whole body.
Are Tanning Lotions Safe for those with Vitiligo?
The self-tanning method reacts with the dead melanocytes that caused the vitiligo and produces brown tan color.
This method is safe to use on both adults and children. It contains natural and organic ingredients, which protect and nourish the skin. However, it’s advisable to test the compatibility of your skin to any of the products before fully applying them. If there aren’t any reactions after testing, you can then start using the product.
What to Look for in a Tanning Lotions for Vitiligo
Before buying a tanning lotion, you need to look out for some factors. Listed below are some you need to look out for.
Ingredients
Always look at the label, and make sure you’re not buying a product that contains harsh chemical compositions. Always go for ones that have organic and natural ingredients, such as vitamins, antioxidants, and oils.
Customer Reviews
At times, the product description might not totally explain how the lotion works. So, look at the customer reviews, and go for the ones with the best feedback. Previous users would also include how they effectively used the product.
Also, make sure that the reviews are real and not fake.
Price
Cheap products may not be very effective in the long run, and may do more harm than good for your skin. Therefore, you would need to consider the costlier ones to get more benefits.
Ease in Usage
Opt for products that are easy to apply and use if it’s your first time using self-tanners. Also, ensure that the instructions are written in the product before you buy it.
The Best Tanning Lotions for Vitiligo
There are many tanning lotions available in the market, but there aren’t a lot of products that can help to perfectly even the skin tone. Here are the best tanning lotions for vitiligo and evening the skin tone. You can get these products on Amazon.
Beauty By Earth Self Tanner
The Beauty By Earth Self Tanner is a self-tanning lotion that leaves your body nourished and glowing. It is produced with nourishing ingredients, like organic shea butter, organic green tea extract, and organic coconut oil for your skin while supporting a streak-free sunless tan. It has a milky color when applied, but gives a bronze color after it dries.
There are no harmful chemicals in this product, so you don’t need to worry. They also offer a 30-day refund policy to unsatisfied customers.
Pros
- Organic and cruelty-free
- It doesn’t leave streaks on the skin
- It smells nice with its coconut fragrance.
Cons
- It takes around seven hours to dry.
Skinerals Californium Sunless Bronzer
Skinerals Californium Sunless Bronzer is another self-tanner that leaves an immediate effect on your skin. This makes it perfect for vitiligo, especially the de-pigmented areas. It works fast, and is a safe alternative to products with harmful chemicals. It’s ingredients are mostly natural substances like lavender oil, orange peel oil, vanilla bean extract, and shea butter.
Pros
- It’s compatible with every skin
- It helps in skin nourishment and protection against skin diseases.
- Covers up vitiligo for at least a week
Cons
- The tan only lasts around four to six days
Fake Bake Flawless Self Tan Liquid
Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tan Liquid is easy to use. We suggest you apply the product with a professional mitt for effortless gliding strokes and an even tan.
This self-tanner dries around three to four hours, and is transfer resistant. So, you can wear it throughout the day. It’s suitable for all skin tones and skin types, and has a pleasant fragrance with a tropical scent.
There are no artificial preservatives or parabens in this. It’s color is reddish, and will give you a natural tan.
Pros
- Comes with an applicator mitt
- Doesn’t streak
- Has a good, tropical scent
Cons
- It doesn’t work well in dry areas
L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion
L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Lotion is formulated with Vitamin E and gentle AHAs. It develops into a beautiful, natural-looking, streak-free tan in just two to four hours.
This tanner is very good for camouflaging vitiligo, as it covers the white patches with a brownish tan. Also, the tan can cover the patches for up to five days, so it gives you about a week before you’d need to reapply. However, using this on the face is not recommended.
Pros
- It doesn’t smell as much as other tanners
- It is easy to apply
Cons
- It leaves streaks if not applied properly
Sun Laboratories Tan Overnight Self Tanning Lotion
This tanning lotion from Sun Laboratories received lots of positive feedback from users with vitiligo. It dries fast and instantly creates the most natural-looking tan.
It has multiple skin conditioners in its formula to maintain the skin’s maximum moisture and elasticity. Also, you could gradually build up the color by applying more lotion to the skin.
This quick drying formula revitalizes and creates an even-looking tan instantly without stickiness, greasiness, and streaks on the skin.
Pros
- It’s easy to apply
- Comes in different shades of brown
- Covers up even those with 70 percent vitiligo
- Can be applied on the face
Cons
- Can be washed off with soap
- The smell is a bit overboard
St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
This product is the best for self-tanning beginners because it’s easy to use. It leaves a long-lasting tan with an innovative aromaguard fragrance that eliminates every awful smell. Unlike other tanners that have an orange color, this tanner from St. Tropez has a coffee-colored formula.
This tanner doesn’t contain chemical components, like paraben, phthalate, or sulfate. It rather contains aloe barbadensis leaf juice. This product is FDA-approved and can be used on any skin type.
Pros
- Doesn’t leave streaks
- It also lasts longer than other brands, around six to eight days
- Can be used during the morning or nighttime
Cons
- It takes time to dry when compared to the other products
- Tends to leave stains after application
Conclusion
Your skin is usually your pride, and you have the right to be concerned about how it looks. So, it’s understandable how people with vitiligo might feel. The truth is you can break free from every emotional trauma it might cause you, and fulfill your life destiny, just like Michael Jackson did. Vitiligo is not the end of the world, and there has been a significant awareness campaign for this skin disorder.
You can also consider using tanning lotions to camouflage the vitiligo, and give your skin a good tone. So, what are you waiting for? Take a step now and get yourself a self-tanning lotion and carry your skin with pride.
