Last Updated on 22nd November 2019 by Caroline Haye
In my previous two blog posts I described how to use natural henna as a self-tan on white vitiligo patches. This is something I have recently experimented with as I still have a few freckled areas of white skin on my hands and feet… Even though the pigment on the rest of my body and face has returned. In this post I want to tell you about another natural vitiligo camouflage solution. This time, the product works from the inside.
First of all, I must stress that this solution probably works best on fair skins. This is because of the lesser contrast between the vitiligo lesions and normal skin. But, if you have darker skin you may still get some benefit from it.
There is a capsule called Bronze which I started to use at the same time as the other supplements. (These were a combination of nutritional products that unexpectedly triggered my re-pigmentation several years ago.) They were on the same product range as the other. And when I read that they help to develop a light tan with or without sun exposure, I decided to give them a try. I was hoping they might have a beneficial effect on vitiligo.
It contains 5 natural carotenoids. (These are natural pigments which are synthesised by plants and create the bright colours of various fruits and vegetables.) The formulation also contains essential amino acids and the important skin nutrient vitamin E. So I decided it was likely to have a generally beneficial, antioxidant effect at the very least. The idea is that it is a much safer way of tanning the skin than using a sunbed. It takes about two weeks to build up sufficiently in the body to produce a tanning effect on the skin. And then you reduce the dosage to a maintenance level.
My impression of using this product is that it does not appear to stimulate pigment production. (I believe that Boost and Five a Day+ were the active supplements responsible for this.) But it does have a small but significant cosmetic effect. The amount of colour it creates is comparable to a very thin coating of self-tan… Or one of those moisturising body lotions that gradually build up a light tan.
When I started using this supplement I fully expected it to only work on those areas of normal skin. But it actually does work on the white patches too. And, strangely enough, instead of maintaining the contrast between the vitiligo and the normal skin by tanning both equally, it definitely reduces the contrast (I’ve no idea how or why).
This option doesn’t come anywhere close to a total camouflage. But I think the benefits are that it is healthy, high in antioxidants (which anyone with vitiligo needs) simple to take, no mess and no fuss. And it does reduce that blindingly white or pink/white look that vitiliginous skin typically has. I would say it turns it more of a creamy, flesh colour. Definitely worth a try.
