Organic is the way to go if you have vitiligo

Last Updated on 5th April 2024 by Caroline Haye

When I was younger I never gave an organic lifestyle any more thought than the average person did back then. In fact, it is only in the last ten or fifteen years that I have realised its importance. Not just for health in general, but even more so for those of us with chronic conditions. To be honest, eating organic food has been more of an aspiration than a reality for me (depending on cost). And organic cosmetics and clothes were not a priority – or even on my radar. So, what changed and why do I now believe that organic is the way to go if you have vitiligo? 

I’ve been lucky enough to have regained practically all of my natural pigment after nearly 50 years of living with widespread vitiligo. (This has been as a result of using natural nutritional supplements in combination with regular sun exposure.) So, during this process, my focus has understandably been on supplementation. It was only later that I have had the mental space to focus on other vitiligo-related topics. For example, the significance of avoiding exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.  

Most people with vitiligo are probably aware that one feature, or trigger, of this skin condition is oxidative stress. Meaning that vitiligo patients are more sensitive to contact with certain synthetic chemicals and other environmental stressors than the average person. So an organic lifestyle, avoiding contact with these trigger substances, is important. (As is loading up on antioxidants to fight free radical damage. Hence the green superfoods that form part of my re-pigmentation protocol). But how many of us are leading an organic lifestyle? Or at least as natural a one as possible… Which of course is the logical way of minimising contact with toxic ingredients.  

I’m not fully organic yet, it must be said. But I am gradually switching over to natural (and organic where possible) toiletries and cosmetics. I now use an aluminium-free deodorant, eco-certified organic makeup and have switched from one of the less harmful permanent hair dyes to an even safer, water-based product.  I recently read that the same chemicals in mainstream hair dyes are also present in many fabric dyes too. This fact, coupled with the knowledge that wearing tight clothing that causes friction to the skin can cause vitiligo to spread, strongly suggests it makes sense for vitiligo sufferers to opt for organic clothing, where possible, too. 

Moving toward an organic lifestyle may seem like an uphill struggle at times, given the amount of research – and often expense – involved. But, given the cumulative effects of chemical exposure, I take the view that every little helps!