Summer with vitiligo: advice on sun care

Sun Protection for Vitiligo

Understanding Your Skin

If you have vitiligo, your skin patches lack natural protection against UVA & UVB rays. This means these areas will burn easily & will not tan.

Skin Cancer Risk

While vitiligo patches are believed to have a reduced risk of melanoma due to the absence of melanin, everyone is still at risk of basal cell skin cancers. Protecting your skin remains crucial.

Effective Protection Strategies

Here are several ways to protect your skin from sun damage:

Clothing

• Cover Up: Wearing UV protective clothing is a good way to cover up when outdoors or on holiday.

• SPF Limitations: Be aware that normal clothing typically provides only about SPF 15.

• UV Protective Clothing: Consider purchasing specific UV protective clothing for higher SPF. Brands like Mountain Warehouse, Solbari, Sunsibility, Uniqlo, & Coolibar offer such products.

• Practical Use: A long-sleeved top can be particularly useful for outdoor exercise, gardening, or simply giving your skin a break while on holiday.

Parasols

• Full Coverage: Ensure you are fully covered by external parasols when outside, & remember to protect your feet.

• Personal UV Parasols: Personal umbrella-style UV parasols are also available & can be convenient, especially for activities like city breaks.

Sunscreen

• Prescription Sunscreen: You may be able to obtain sunscreen on prescription. This can be particularly helpful for children in primary school, encouraging the school to take vitiligo seriously & apply sunscreen. If you work outdoors, a repeat prescription using a prepaid certificate could also be beneficial.

• Mineral Sunscreens: Prescription products are typically mineral sunscreens, which can be harder to apply. If affordable, consider buying your own to ease pressure on the NHS.

• Key Recommendations:

  • Always choose factor 50 sunscreen.

  • Look for a UV rating of at least four stars. Altruist, for example, is a reliable product with a five-star UV rating & is good for children in aerosol packaging.

  • Reapply Frequently: This is crucial, even with "all day" sunscreens, & is recommended by dermatologists.

  • Special Care: Be especially diligent about reapplying if you are hot & sweaty, or if you or your children are frequently in & out of the swimming pool.

  • Application Habits: Apply sunscreen before leaving the house. Keep facial sunscreen with your toothbrush & a travel sunscreen by your door or car keys. A stick-type sunscreen is convenient to carry in your bag or pocket.

Often Overlooked Areas

Remember to protect these sensitive areas:

• Head/Scalp: Take particular care if your hair is thinning or you are bald, as this area gets significant sun exposure. A scalp-specific spray or your usual sunscreen can help.

• Neck: Scarves or gaiters designed for neck protection can be useful, as this area is often overlooked.

• Face: Use a specific face product; La Roche Posay Ant'Helios is highly recommended.

• Lips: Apply a lip balm with sunscreen regularly, as lip skin is often neglected.

• Feet: Protect areas not covered by flip-flops or sandals.

General Advice

Your vitiligo patches are extremely sun-sensitive. Take regular, tender care of them, especially during high UV conditions. While burns can happen, try your best to avoid them. Stay safe!