Controversial Vitiligo Cream May Have Side Effects: Why Take Risks Instead Of Being Body Positive?

A new skin cream to treat vitiligo, an auto-immune skin condition, can be available at the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) if the country’s health experts approve the product. The vitiligo cream is called "Ruxolitinib," with the brand name "Opzelura" and is colloquially called "miracle cream."

The vitiligo cream is said to bring back the natural colour of the skin by removing the white patches. If the claims are true, this will be unprecedented. The cream will be available only with a doctor’s prescription. However, the vitiligo cream has also stirred up some controversy.

Why Is The Vitiligo Cream Controversial?

Some reports claim that the vitiligo cream has harmful side effects, including damaging the user’s immune system and causing body inflammation. Now, body positivity activists are questioning the need to use the vitiligo cream. They added that people shouldn’t be afraid of vitiligo, as no one should have to feel ashamed of their body, and we are all beautiful in our own way.

As someone who is not affected by the skin condition, I accept that I'm speaking from a position of privilege. A neighbour of mine was diagnosed with vitiligo when she was a toddler. Today, she’s a proud doctor who is pursuing her postgraduate degree. I have seen this girl grow up along with me, and she did have her fair share of meltdowns, especially during her adolescence. However, she remained resolute on becoming someone who people look up to; she cleared NEET in the first attempt, and now she is a doctor.

Kids and women especially suffer a lot because our society has beauty standards for women. Haven’t all of us been body shamed at some point in our lives? We are advised to use creams for something as natural as pimples. So, this cream might seem like a boon for those with vitiligo. However, given that this is the first ever cream made for the skin condition and some reports state that it has detrimental side effects, should people really risk their well-being?

Earlier this year, actor Mamta Mohandas took to her Instagram handle to reveal that she had been diagnosed with vitiligo. She posted a couple of her photos and wrote about how grateful she is for life. UAE-based entrepreneur and content creator Salama Mohamed is also "blessed with vitiligo" (in her words) and runs a successful skincare company called. She wears her vitiligo patches like a proud warrior’s scar and never shies away from the camera. In fact, she is famous for creating humorous videos about married life along with her spouse, Khalid Al Ameri.

Mamta Mohandas opens up about vitilago on Instagram

Public figures like these women open up about their personal health conditions so that people who already have these conditions don’t feel alone. People get body shamed, outcasted, and made fun of for having this body condition, which can take a toll on their emotional health. Celebrities who are supposed to represent acceptable beauty standards reveal that they have similar health conditions in an effort to combat stigma and promote body positivity.

Industrialists take advantage of our insecurities and market various products to us. The longer we keep falling for their gimmicks, the more creative they are going to keep getting. Body positivity is all about having a positive body image. We need to stop worrying about other people’s unsolicited comments and advice and about society’s ideal body standard, which changes according to the media’s portrayal of beauty.

Although it is easier said than done, we need to learn to accept and love ourselves and be comfortable in our own skin. When we love our family and friends not for how they look but for the people that they are, why should we look at ourselves any differently?

Suggested Reading: Mamta Mohandas Diagnosed With Autoimmune Disease Vitiligo