However, for vitiligo patients, the choice and use of cosmetics need to be extremely careful. Vitiligo, as a common depigmented skin disease, is characterized by well-defined white patches on the skin, and these areas of skin are hypopigmented and susceptible to external stimuli.
- Skin allergies
Cosmetics often contain a variety of chemicals, such as fragrances, preservatives, dyes, etc., which can trigger allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin, especially vitiligo. People with vitiligo tend to have impaired skin barrier function and are more susceptible to external irritants. Allergic reactions may manifest as local redness, swelling, pain, itching, and even skin lesions, which are not only detrimental to vitiligo recovery, but may also aggravate the condition.
- Dry skin
Some cosmetics may contain ingredients such as alcohol and artificial fragrances, which have a dehydrating effect and can cause dry, peeling skin, and even wrinkles when used for a long time. People with vitiligo have already fragile skin, and a dry environment can further weaken the skin barrier and increase the risk of infection, which can aggravate vitiligo symptoms.
- The skin barrier is compromised
Frequent use of cosmetics, especially products containing irritating ingredients, can damage the collagen and natural moisturizing factors in the skin, leading to further damage to the skin's barrier function. This not only makes the skin of vitiligo patients more sensitive, but also easily triggers inflammatory reactions such as redness, swelling, pain, etc., which accelerates the spread of vitiligo.
- Obscuring vitiligo leads to delayed diagnosis
Some people with vitiligo may choose to use cosmetics such as concealing creams to cover up white patches, and while this can improve the appearance in the short term, long-term dependence may mask the true nature of the condition, leading to delays in proper diagnosis and treatment. Proper treatment is key to controlling the development of vitiligo, therefore, patients should avoid over-reliance on cosmetics to disguise their condition.
- Chemical irritation and exacerbation
Patients with vitiligo usually need to receive medications, such as topical drugs (such as tacrolimus ointment, calcipotriene ointment, etc.) or oral drugs (such as prednisone acetate tablets, dexamethasone tablets, etc.). The active ingredients in some cosmetic products may interact with these drugs, affecting the efficacy of the drugs and even producing adverse reactions, making treatment more difficult and risky.
The damage of cosmetics to vitiligo skin cannot be ignored, and patients need to maintain a high degree of vigilance and choose and use cosmetics carefully. Through scientific protection and active treatment, we can effectively control the development of vitiligo and reduce its impact on patients' lives.