What is Vitiligo Cover Lotion?
Vitiligo Cover Lotion is a topical camouflaging product for masking vitiligo patches and blending these patches with normal skin tone. The product’s website is vitiligocover.com.
It is a paraben-free formulation that does not contain dyes or bronzers. Therefore, it can be safely applied on any part of the body and it does not wash off in water. Vitiligo Cover Lotion provides an effective camouflage cover with only once weekly application.
The active ingredient in Vitiligo Cover Lotion is dihydroxyacetone or DHA.
It is formulated in a base made of a mixture of aloe vera, shea butter, rosehips oil and walnut extract. These other ingredients are included to help improve the tone and appearance of the skin while DHA camouflages the depigmented areas of the skin.
Vitiligo Cover Lotion contains 8% DHA which is more than the DHA found in most of the competing vitiligo products. This active ingredient is obtained from natural sources (sugar cane plant).
There is no need for color matching with Vitiligo Cover Lotion. Unlike vitiligo camouflage solutions such as makeups, the color that Vitiligo Cover Lotion gives the skin is derived from interacting with skin proteins to produce normal, depigmented skin.
Vitiligo Cover Lotion is suitable for vitiligo patients of all ages. It comes in bottles and each bottle will serve for 2 – 3 months.
What is DHA?
Dihydroxyacetone is also called glycerone. It is a simple carbohydrate obtained from natural sources such as sugar cane and sugar beets as well as from the fermentation of glycerin.
DHA is prepared as a crystalline powder that absorbs moisture when exposed. It can occur singly as a monomer or as a dimer (2 DHA molecules stringed together). The monomer is very soluble in water and alcohol but the dimer dissolves a lot faster in alcohol.
Dihydroxyacetone is involved in the breakdown of glucose and fructose.
The unique pigmentation property of DHA was discovered in the 1950s when children receiving large oral doses of the drug spilled some on their skins. After a few hours, the skin would turn brown.
More studies show that although DHA turns the skin brown, it does not penetrate deep into the skin. Instead, it only reaches the outermost layer of the epidermis. Therefore, it is non-toxic and the skin change is a simple, harmless reaction.
How DHA and Vitiligo Cover Lotion Work
DHA reacts with a range of amino acids. Since amino acids make up keratin, the chief protein making up the skin, DHA interacts with amino acids in the outer layer of skin.
When DHA reacts with amino acids, it forms a class of compounds called melanoidins.
Melanoidins are also pigments like melanin. They produce different color tones from yellow to brown. However, the amino acids found in the keratin of the skin preferentially produce brown colored melanoidins.
Melanoidins are brown, high molecular weight polymers formed the combination of sugars (DHA) and amino acids.
This reaction does not required enzymes to proceed but heat and little moisture. It is similar to the Maillard browning reaction that occurs during the preparation of foods such as steak, toasted bread and roasted coffee.
DHA was approved in the 1970s by the FDA for use in cosmetic products.
Today, it is found in virtually all sunless tanning products (in concentrations ranging from 1% to 15%). The higher the concentration of DHA, the darker the result obtained from the tanning product.
It can be used alone or combined with similar sugars such as erythrulose.
Since DHA reacts with amino acids of keratin, the tan it gives the skin does not wash away with water or soap. However, prolonged contact with water or sweat may lighten the dark tan.
The tan effect of DHA usually stays on for 3 – 10 days and it is only removed when dead skin cells are exfoliated from the topmost layer of the skin.
DHA is safe to use as long as it is applied topically. Inhalation and contact with mucosal surface when used in spray tanning products may pose some health risks.
However, there are indications that DHA may reduce the production of vitamin D in the skin. This is probably due to the protection from ultraviolet irradiation offered by the heavy coloration of the skin.
Despite the tan provided by DHA, sunscreens are recommended alongside since the UV protection of DHA products do not last as long as the tan they impact.
How to Apply Vitiligo Cover Lotion
Before applying Vitiligo Cover Lotion, you should shower first and exfoliate your skin with a loofah or scrub.
This is required in order to remove dead skin cells that may be shed in a few days or the remnant of an older layer of Vitiligo Cover Lotion.
If the lotion is applied on the skin close to the shedding period of skin growth cycle, its effect may wear off sooner than expected. Therefore, exfoliate your skin and expose a new layer of skin cells.
Dry off your skin and apply the lotion.
Applying the lotion on your whole body or, at least, whole segments of your body is advisable. So, if your vitiligo spots are concentrated on your arms, you should apply on the entire length of the arm.
However, if you prefer spot application, take care to use a cotton swab to even out the edge of each vitiligo patch by removing any excess lotion from the edges.
To apply Vitiligo Cover Lotion, you may use an applicator sponge especially to rub the lotion on your face, arms and legs. Rub in a circular motion and make sure to cover skin folds such as the elbows.
When rubbing on your face, extend the application of the lotion to your neck and shoulders so as to provide an even tone in such contiguous visible area.
After application, rinse off your palm and finger nails with warm water, soap and a scrub.
The lotion usually sets within 15 minutes. Therefore, allow that time before getting dressed especially at nighttime before you go to bed.
It takes 6 – 8 hours for the camouflage to fully blend your vitiligo patches with your natural skin color and tone. So, try not to work out excessive sweat or get water on the areas covered within that time frame.
While applying Vitiligo Cover Lotion, refrain from applying any more than a light coat. Heavy application does not necessary produce a darker, uniform color. However, people with dark skin may need more than a light coat application.
Apply a regular moisturizer to keep your skin supple and add sheen to the new color tone. Also apply a sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. Vitiligo Cover Lotion does not contain sunscreen.
During the summer months, your skin acquires a natural tan. This gives your skin a deeper coloration which may not be matched by a single application of Vitiligo Cover Lotion. Therefore, a second and even third application of the lotion may be required.
Wait for 8 hours after applying the first layer before determining if you need a second layer. This will give the lotion time to set and work.
Subsequently, and after determining the number of layers needed to achieve an even color tone, allow only 15 minutes between the application of each layer.
Is Vitiligo Cover Lotion Effective?
Vitiligo Cover Lotion is an effective camouflaging product for covering up vitiligo patches.
It contains 8% DHA which is safe and enough to achieve satisfactory results.
One study in which a similar camouflaging cream containing 6% DHA was used for people with different skin types (including the darker skin types III, IV and V) showed that that concentration was enough to produce moderate to marked results in 89% of the study’s participants.
Different testimonies from actual users of Vitiligo Cover Lotion show that this products achieves an even higher success rate.
Its results can be dramatic as well as lasting and as long as the application instructions are followed, Vitiligo Cover Lotion seems to almost always work.
Even though DHA may cause contact dermatitis, such side effects are not reported with the use of Vitiligo Cover Lotion. This is mainly because the DHA included in the lotion is sourced from sugar canes and not synthesized in the lab.
In addition, the other ingredients in Vitiligo Cover Lotion such as aloe vera and shea butter are known to help maintain skin health. Therefore, it is unlikely that the lotion can irritate the skin.
Sources
https://shop.vitiligocover.com/
https://shop.vitiligocover.com/buy-now/how-does-vitiligo-cover-work/
http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/ProductInformation/ucm134064.htm
Published on November 16, 2013
