What is vitiligo and why are we talking about it?
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Vitiligo: 'Embrace the skin you're in'
Today is World Vitiligo Day, vitiligo is a skin condition that is often shown through paler patches on the skin.
These patches have very little melanin in them. Melanin is what gives our skin, hair and eyes colour.
When you have less melanin in your skin it makes you more sensitive to sunburn, so people with vitiligo must be careful to protect themselves when they're out in the sunshine.
Nile Goodlad developed vitiligo when he was in Year Six and was bullied at school. He's since gone on to be a international fashion model.
"I couldn't imagine my life without my skin [looking like this], it's given me a lot of opportunities," says Nile.
"When I was younger I was bullied a lot for my skin and was really critical of myself as well.
"It was a shock that anyone would find me beautiful or attractive enough to become a model, especially with my skin.
"My life changed massively, in myself I've got masses of confidence and self love."
Why is it important that we see people with vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a condition that affects 1% of people in the world.
But it is very rare that we see people with vitiligo in the media.
Meet Kaiden - the model making a difference
Young people often tell us that they never see themselves represented in the media, or in mainstream culture and how this can have a huge impact on their self-esteem. Ensuring that people with visible differences are seen and heard across the fashion industry, in the media and in public life is so important.
But some people are ashamed that they have vitiligo and use clothes and makeup to hide their skin.
Changing Faces - a charity that supports people with visible differences on their face or bodies - believe there should be more discussion about conditions like vitiligo.
They believe there should be more acceptance and inclusion of people with visible differences in the media.
- Published10 December 2018
- Published5 September 2018
