Her parents named her Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young, but you may know her as Winnie Harlow. Though Winnie had a good following on Instagram prior to being discovered by Tyra Banks, she gained popularity as a contestant on the television show, ‘America’s Next Top Model’. After her appearance on the show, she went on to model for different brands. Instead of being a deterrent, her skin condition has become one of her defining physical characteristics.
Winnie is one of the people who was diagnosed with vitiligo at a very early age. In fact, she recounts being diagnosed at four and being bullied relentlessly at school. Since then, she has become a spokesperson for the disorder and stated recently in an interview that “I believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” when asked about modeling with vitiligo.
What Is Vitiligo?
Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the melanocytes in your skin. Since these melanocytes are responsible for making pigment, this results in milky white patches in the skin.
Typically, these patches appear symmetrically on the body, which means you would have them on both hands or legs. However, there is a rarer form of this condition where people can develop patches in one area.
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While anyone can develop vitiligo, it’s more apparent in those who have darker skin. You’re also more likely to have this condition if you’re dealing with psoriasis, pernicious anemia, type 1 diabetes, systemic lupus, and Addison’s disease, among others.
If you have vitiligo, it’s likely that you’ll notice the skin lightening on your hands, forearms, feet, and face first. However, it can also start in less obvious parts of the body such as the inside of your mouth, nose, or rectal areas.
It’s important to note that the symptoms of vitiligo usually start to appear before the age of 20 but can happen at any time.
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How The Condition Is Diagnosed
Diagnosing vitiligo begins with a thorough examination and collecting your medical history. Your doctor may
