Meet Celine

My story with vitiligo is special because it's a twin affair.

We each had a spot on our ankle at birth. For my sister, Mélanie, it developed during childhood, around the age of 7-8. Then it stagnated quite a bit during adolescence. As for me, it developed rapidly when I was 18, and in 15 years, it's evolved a lot. I have more than my sister.

When I didn't have any, I always found my sister's beautiful and special. It's also what set us apart as a Twin. "Melanie is the one with the white spot". So I was a bit frustrated because I always liked to look like my twin sister. I remember always finding it very beautiful and distinguished. She rarely, if ever, got teased. So when it was my turn, I was delighted.

Very quickly, we learned to put our vitiligo to the fore. We were even looking forward to the summer, when it would be more obvious! We find it prettier in summer!

So I've always accepted my vitiligo. For me, it's an aesthetic condition. There's nothing repulsive about it, and I've always considered that there are "worse things in life".

There are sometimes people who fix my spots. I think it's people who don't know about vitilgo, who have questions, or who think something about it - positive or negative. And I'm okay with that!

Some people's assumptions made me smile: that I'm a burn victim and that I've had a skin graft, that I must have used chemicals that did this to me.

The only time I think I've ever suffered from vitiligo - or some people's ignorance, to be honest - was when a mom at the grocery store saw my sister picking out her vegetables. It was summer, and you could see the spots on her hands and elbows. The mother picked up her child, frowning and looking at my sister with anger and contempt. She probably thought she had a contagious disease...

As for our relationships, we've never had that kind of negativity. Our vitiligo has always been well received. My partner has always found it original and pretty. Now he doesn't even see it!

As for treatments, I've already tried Protopic (cream), but it was greasy and I was young... I had no discipline. Then phototherapy was suggested, but I never took the plunge. Today, I have no treatment, no dermatological follow-up.

I saw that there was an American treatment. I wouldn't mind trying it out. I don't necessarily want to get rid of my vitiligo, I'd rather stop it from growing. I love my spots and they're part of my identity now. Not having them would be really weird for me! However, I'd like it to evolve more slowly. I like my basic skin color and I like the nuances I see thanks to vitiligo, but I don't want to be all white! But really... I'm not running after a treatment!

Also, I quickly noticed that when I mistreated my skin, it created vitiligo. For example, using the electric epilator on my thighs = lots of micro-points of depigmentation; using the anti-cellulite suction pad on the side of my thighs = spots of depigmentation; the places where I often wax; the areas where I lean (crossing legs, sitting), scars, etc. So, i'm trying to be kind with my skin to not increase vitiligo

The only advice I can give to people with vitiligo is to accept it, to cherish it. It's a condition that makes a positive difference to other people. Some people cover themselves with tattoos, right? Well, I think it's a bit the same!