Equatorsun Partners with The Vitiligo Society
Equatorsun and The Vitiligo Society are partnering to promote sun safety for the vitiligo community, through UPF clothing and sun protection advice.
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We are excited to announce a new partnership between Equatorsun and The Vitiligo Society, uniting our efforts to help individuals with vitiligo feel safe, confident, and protected under the sun.
The Vitiligo Society shared the following on this exciting partnership:
"Vitiligo leads to a loss of pigmentation in the skin, making affected areas more sensitive to the sun and more prone to sun damage. At The Vitiligo Society, we understand how crucial sun safety is for our community. That’s why we’re proud to welcome our new partnership with Equatorsun, whose mission is to empower people to enjoy the sun safely and confidently."– The Vitiligo Society
About The Vitiligo Society
Established in 1985, the Vitiligo Society is a UK-based charity dedicated to improving the lives of those with vitiligo, a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or colour. Vitiligo can affect people of all ages and ethnicities and often has a significant emotional and psychological impact.
The Vitiligo Society’s mission is to beat vitiligo by eradicating the psychological, social and physical effects that vitiligo has on those affected, through finding effective treatments and a cure. In order to achieve their mission, they are pursuing a number of avenues including education, research, support services, advocating and campaigning.
Why Did Equatorsun Partner with The Vitiligo Society
Equatorsun’s purpose is to empower people to be able to enjoy the sun safely and stress-free, by using the right sun protection. We share a mutual focus with The Vitiligo Society who are doing amazing work to help people with vitiligo through challenges that they may face, which includes the dangers of the sun.
Vitiligo causes areas of skin to lose pigment due to a lack of melanin, which is the skin's natural defence against UV rays. As a result, these areas are more vulnerable to sun damage.
At Equatorsun, we are dedicated to addressing this challenge. Through offering the highest rated UPF 50+ sun protective clothing that is specially designed to provide excellent coverage, we can help the vitiligo community enjoy the sun confidently.
Equatorsun’s Commitment to Sun Protection for Vitiligo
We are committed to making a meaningful difference to The Vitiligo Society’s members using multiple avenues of support when it comes to sun protection.
Enhancing accessibility to sun protective clothing
Ensuring that individuals with vitiligo have access to high-quality UPF 50+ sun protective clothing, designed to provide the optimal coverage and safety.
Providing tailored sun protection advice to those with vitiligo
Providing educational resources and expert tips specifically designed to meet the unique needs of people with vitiligo, helping them stay protected and confident in the sun.
Continued support and collaboration across communities
Working closely with The Vitiligo Society to create a growing relationship to develop initiatives that promote awareness and sun safety.
What this Partnership Means for Equatorsun
Annette founded Equatorsun with a mission to help individuals enjoy the sun safely and confidently. This partnership marks a significant milestone for Equatorsun and its mission, reinforcing our commitment to creating sun protective solutions that serve the unique needs of diverse communities. We’re proud to support The Vitiligo Society and its members as we continue our mission to make sun safety accessible for all.
Learn more about The Vitiligo Society and its incredible work and join us in supporting their mission to empower individuals with vitiligo. Together, we can create a future where everyone can enjoy the sun confidently and safely.
Associated Questions
Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes patches of skin to lose their pigment due to the destruction of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin. This loss of pigment can occur anywhere on the body, including the skin, hair, and even the inside of the mouth. Vitiligo affects people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities and is not contagious or life-threatening. People with vitiligo often experience significant emotional and psychological impacts. At the time of writing this article, the exact cause is unknown, although vitiligo is believed to result from genetic, environmental, and autoimmune factors.
No, UPF clothing is not the only sun protection needed for vitiligo. While UPF clothing provides excellent protection for covered areas, additional measures are essential. Equatorsun always recommends taking a comprehensive approach to sun protection including a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+), UPF clothing, UV-blocking sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) are crucial to protect uncovered skin and reduce UV damage effectively.
Research suggests that vitiligo might be linked to a reduced risk of melanoma, possibly due to immune system activity that targets pigment cells. However, depigmented skin is still vulnerable to UV damage, which can increase the risk of sunburn and its associated effects. While UV exposure isn’t a direct cause of vitiligo, severe sunburn may trigger new patches in some people (via the Koebner phenomenon). To stay safe, dermatologists strongly recommend sunscreen, UPF clothing, and shade for all vitiligo patients, both to protect sensitive skin and minimise potential triggers. That said, the condition’s progression depends largely on genetic and autoimmune factors, so sun protection alone isn’t a guaranteed way to stop its spread.