A student has revealed what it is really like living with vitiligo.
Justicia Busiah was diagnosed with the condition in May this year and has had a difficult time accepting it.
Vitiligo is a long-term autoimmune disorder, caused by a lack of melanin, where pale white patches develop on the skin.
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The 26-year-old has resorted to using makeup to try to even out her skin tone. And she said she initially felt “scared” of what other people might say.
Justicia, who is currently completing a masters in public health, has even had comments from people accusing her of bleaching her face.
“My experience with vitiligo hasn’t been nice as people don’t have so much knowledge about it and term it as bleaching,” Justicia, from London, told Need To Know.
“It doesn’t have anything to do with bleaching in any way. A lot of people relate it to bleaching especially when you’re dark.
“I’m able to cover it up with makeup whenever I want.”
Justicia says three months on from her diagnosis, she is on a journey to acceptance.
She said: “I’m currently learning to embrace my skin regardless.
“It hasn’t affected my sense of identity in any way and It hasn’t affected my interactions with others in any way.
“I used to really cover it up when it started because I was scared of what people might say when they saw my natural face.
“I’m now at a point where I’m just like let me just leave it and deal with it.
“That’s when I started embracing it regardless of what anyone says.”
Since sharing a video to raise awareness and be open about her experience, Justicia has received many comments.
Most commenters have shared kind messages showing their support.But not everyone has been kind.
Priyasree said: “Sadly this reel reached to the wrong audience.”
Another user commented: “You look so beautiful!! Without and with vitiligo, it’s like if you are the night dark sky with so many stars shining on. Keep shining, beauty queen.”
“You still look very beautiful,” wrote a third viewer.
Roderick penned: “The comments are making me lose faith in humanity.”
Khendra said: “Sorry about the comments babe! You’re still beautiful as ever.”
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