Shahnawaz Towheed’s skin began changing when he was six years old. His once-uniform dark brown complexion started fading in patches as his immune system attacked the cells responsible for pigment production. By adolescence, his vitiligo had fully developed, leaving him with an uneven, pale skin tone. Unlike conditions that cause itching or pain, vitiligo remains silent—no physical discomfort accompanies the gradual loss of color.
Now 27 and a medical student at McMaster University, Towheed describes the early years as the most difficult. He did not understand what was happening to his skin or how others would respond. “I didn’t exactly know what was really happening in terms of how to respond to it,” he says. “But that was the age when I started noticing my dark brown skin started to depigment. And that was a very gradual process from the uniform dark brown complexion I was born with to the pale complexion I have today.” The shift from a uniform complexion to one marked by white patches was subtle, but the emotional impact was immediate.
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Towheed lived “in the shadows,” he says, concealing the patches under clothing or avoiding situations where his skin might be exposed. His fear was not of judgment but of the unknown. “Ever since my skin had fully depigmented, I almost felt like I could hide it or not really talk about it at all, because some people wouldn’t really suspect it, given there isn’t that two-skin tone contrast that people characteristically have,” he explains of the pale patches that typically develop.
Towheed’s journey toward acceptance began when he realized hiding his condition was not the solution. Instead, he chose to view it as part of his identity rather than a flaw. “I would say the treatment that I have now is just acceptance,” he says. “I think that’s one of the most powerful forms of treatment because ultimately, it doesn’t require you to have your skin in a certain way. It’s like, regardless of how it changes, I’ll be content with it and it took a long time to have that perspective.” This perspective did not come easily. It took years of self-reflection, support from family and friends, and the understanding that vitiligo does not define him.
Vitiligo’s emotional toll outweighs physical symptoms
Today, Towheed advocates for others living with the condition, aiming to dismantle the stigma surrounding vitiligo. The disorder occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets pigment-producing cells. Unlike psoriasis or eczema, vitiligo does not respond uniformly to treatment. Some patients benefit from topical creams or light therapy, while others rely on oral medications still in development. However, the greatest challenge for many is not the physical symptoms but the emotional burden.
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Dr. Harvey Lui, a dermatology professor at the University of British Columbia, has dedicated years to studying vitiligo’s effects on patients. His research examines the cellular mechanisms behind pigment loss, particularly the role of macrophages—immune cells that trigger abnormal skin reactions. “We know vitiligo is highly visible,” he states. “It affects how people perceive and interact with one another.” The emotional weight of vitiligo can be severe, including anxiety, depression, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts.
Myths fuel stigma around an autoimmune disorder
A persistent myth about vitiligo is that it is contagious or a result of personal failure. “People often assume the individual has done something wrong,” Dr. Lui says. “They may believe it’s a punishment or that their lifestyle caused it.” In reality, vitiligo is an autoimmune condition, not an infection or moral failing. Yet stigma persists due to misunderstanding and fear.
The emotional weight of vitiligo is compounded by the lack of a definitive cure. While oral medications are in development, no guaranteed solution exists. For some patients, the condition stabilizes; for others, it worsens over time. “Health-care providers should not discourage patients by saying nothing can be done,” Towheed emphasizes. “There is treatment—just not a one-size-fits-all solution.”
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Public storytelling breaks isolation for patients
Towheed’s decision to share his story publicly was deliberate. He believes vulnerability holds power. “There’s so much power in being vulnerable and sharing your story and how that opens the doors for other people to do the same thing and ultimately get the support that they need,” he says. His advocacy goes beyond awareness; it supports community for those who feel isolated by their condition.
Research at UBC has identified specific cellular pathways driving vitiligo’s progression. By targeting macrophages and other immune cells, scientists aim to develop therapies that halt pigment loss or promote repigmentation. Dr. Lui’s team also uses advanced optical methods to measure vitiligo’s cellular impact, offering clearer insights into its development. “We’re working to quantify pigment loss at a cellular level,” he explains. “This could lead to more effective treatments in the future.”
