Vitiligo, a condition often dismissed as a cosmetic problem, is far more than a superficial issue.
The disease, which causes patches of skin to lose pigment, is an autoimmune disorder that destroys melanocytes – the cells responsible for producing skin colour. This results in patches of depigmentation that can spread across the body – affecting both adults and children. Despite its physical and emotional impact, vitiligo remains widely misunderstood and underprioritised.
Globally, vitiligo affects between 0.1% and 2% of the population. While new treatments are emerging, the condition is frequently trivialised, leading many patients to face social isolation and psychological challenges. On Thursday, an awareness campaign in Luxembourg City aims to shed light on the realities of living with vitiligo and challenge the stigma surrounding it.
One of the major hurdles for patients is the lengthy diagnosis process, which takes an average of two-and-a-half years. According to Incyte, a pharmaceutical company, many patients are told there is no effective treatment – leading 65% of them to abandon their search for help.
Ana Coutinho Da Fraga, the mother of an 11-year-old daughter with vitiligo, shared her family’s experience with our colleagues from RTL Radio.
She recalled noticing her daughter’s grey hair during a walk when the child was just five years old. Initially puzzled, she turned to the internet for answers and eventually came across information about vitiligo. After consulting her daughter’s paediatrician, who confirmed the suspicion, the family was referred to a dermatologist for a formal diagnosis. “Because she often fell, she has many spots where her skin is really white”, the mother explained.
Vitiligo can have a hereditary component, according to dermatologist Dr Tiago Fernandes. Studies indicate that in 20% of cases, there is a family predisposition to the condition. In the case of the 11-year-old girl, the disease was present on her father’s side of the family.
While there is no definitive cure for vitiligo, treatments are available to support skin repigmentation. One innovative approach is JAK-STAT inhibition, which helps regulate the immune response responsible for destroying melanocytes. In the coming years, more effective treatment options are expected to become available.
To raise awareness of vitiligo, human-sized silhouettes will be displayed on Thursday in prominent locations across Luxembourg City, including Place d’Armes, Kirchberg, and Cloche d’Or. The installations aim to represent individuals living with the condition and educate the public about its impact.
International model Winnie Harlow, who has vitiligo, has played a significant role in challenging the stigma surrounding the disease. Instead of concealing her condition, she has chosen to embrace it openly, using her platform to promote visibility and acceptance.
