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Vitiligo leads to the loss of pigmentation, which may increase the risk of greater damage from the sun. Itโ€™s critical for people with vitiligo to protect their skin from sun exposure.

Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes the loss of melanin, which is responsible for giving your skin its color. This makes it very important for people with vitiligo to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Melanin absorbs UV rays from the sun; when you have more melanin in your skin, you’re better protected against sun damage. But if you have too little melanin in your skin (as that which occurs with vitiligo), then you’re less shielded from UV rays and may be at increased risk for sun damage. Sunburns may also cause vitiligo patches to spread1.
Because of the link between vitiligo and damaging UV radiation exposure, it’s important to protect yourself from overexposure to sunlight if you have the condition.
Here are some tips to protect your skin from the sun if you’re suffering from vitiligo2:
1. Always wear sunscreen
2. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight (including driving)
3. Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps at all costs
4. Wear protective clothing when possible (like long sleeves or pants)
5. Check your UV index to determine when UV radiation is less strong throughout the day
6. Visit your dermatologist at least once a year and seek medical attention if you notice any changes
If you or a loved one lives with vitiligo, itโ€™s important to be aware of the effect that sun exposure can have on the condition. Sun exposure may cause the pigment of the skin to fade and lead to more extensive markings on the body.

Sources:
Sunlight and vitiligo. Vitiligo Support International. Retrieved from https://vitiligosupport.org/sunlight-vitiligo/
Sun Safety. American Vitiligo Research Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.avrf.org/resources/sun.htm

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