World Vitiligo Day: Beyond the white patches

Helping to raise awareness and reduce stigma about this autoimmune condition are people like American model Amy Deanna, who became the first model with vitiligo to helm a cosmetics company's campaign – she was CoverGirl’s face in 2018. — Amy Deanna/Instagram

EVERY year on June 25, World Vitiligo Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about a condition that affects millions of people worldwide but remains widely misunderstood. While medical advances have improved the management of vitiligo, misconceptions and social stigma remain significant challenges for many individuals living with the condition.

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment. As a result, white patches develop on different parts of the body. The condition affects people of all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds, and is estimated to affect approximately 0.5% to 2% of the global population.