Skinned Alive

How The Bleaching Trend Is Affecting Society

2011-06-01T21:51:00.001+01:00

A series of videos, sent to me by a friend regarding the bleaching epidemic and the devastating effects. I don't apologize for so many bleaching posts because it is truly outrageous how much this practice is being abused and the smuggling of illegal products actually has the knock-on effect of making it more difficult for those who actually have medical needs. See the videos here

More Bleaching in Jamaica

2011-04-11T19:23:00.001+01:00

Another interesting, shocking and devastating article regarding the bleaching activities of the poorer population in Jamaica... There is only so much you can do to help ignorance but if people want to ignore the health warnings and continue doing something in the HOPES (not the guarantee) that they might eventually become someone else in time to still be young enough to enjoy it, what more can

Re-Pigmentation During Pregnancy

2011-04-06T19:36:00.000+01:00

Since becoming pregnant, I've noticed a definite increase in re-pigmentation on my face and other parts of my body. Again, they are still only the size of little moles but it is adding up over time and it seems that a new one appears daily. At this point, there is nothing I can do to treat them, as I refuse to take any medication or put any chemicals on or in my body for prolonged periods during

Vitiligo and Pregnancy

2011-03-24T16:24:00.001+00:00

Forgive my recent absence from the blog as I have been becoming more acquainted with my toilet bowl in the New Year than with my MacBook... due to morning sickness! Yes, I am very happy to announce that I am expecting my first child this year :) I wasn't sure if I wanted to let such a wide audience of people, who don't know me personally, know about this... but now that I am safely at five months

Bleaching In Jamaica - Part 2

2011-01-21T15:46:00.002+00:00

As a followup to my post earlier this week regarding bleaching in Jamaica, please check out this very informative (though sadly so) video describing my previously mentioned points in greater detail... This is shocking and painful to watch for me...

Retaliation to Skin Bleaching in Jamaica

2011-01-19T16:20:00.001+00:00

The latest controversy on my side of the world is all about West Indians, particularly Jamaicans, bleaching their skin... I'm sorry *correction* ruining their skin. This has become even worse with the advocacy of skin bleaching by major dancehall artistes like Vybz Kartel, who has been bleaching his own skin. To get a better idea of what I'm talking about, check out this article with

Frustration

2011-01-12T18:24:00.000+00:00

Everytime I think I've got it under control and people have seen enough of me to warrant less ignorance and a little more respect, some toad crawls out from under their rock and makes a totally stupid, indiscreet, completely tactless comment about my skin colour that just makes me so angry by this point. I guess this is partly because of all that I've tried to do in the past year and a half to

Pursuit of Peace of Mind...

2010-11-19T14:36:00.001+00:00

So, for the past two months I have been applying a bleaching cream to the brown spots on my face at night when I go to bed. Thankfully, this hasn't had the same reaction as the 14% Triluma that I tried out two years back. My skin actually hasn't changed at all with this new cream, except that in the last few days before the scheduled chemical peel I did notice a slight burn happening whenever I

Decisions, Decisions...

2010-08-21T03:55:00.000+01:00

I've been contemplating it for weeks now. The little "tip-of-a-pencil" pigment spot on my forearm is now the size of a small mole. How's that for rapid? Not to mention the two little creepers that have appeared un-announced above and below my right eyebrow. I contacted my dermatologist to discuss my options. Well, the truth is I only really have two options: live with it and see what happens,

Role Reversal...

2010-08-05T20:06:00.003+01:00

I am not a hypocrite. I am not a hypocrite. I am not a hypocrite. If you only knew how much I find myself freaking out these days when I see new spots of pigment appearing on my skin. They're tiny, unnoticeable, ridiculously small to the untrained, non-Vitiligo-recognizing eye... First it was my face... I accepted it, embraced my "freckles", learned to love them (am still learning), and

Strength, Not Pity!

2010-07-20T19:51:00.000+01:00

A quick one this week! I had a little down time last week. On one of my down days, my father called from abroad and gave me one of those pep talks that I love him for, you know the kind that makes you feel like you can whizz right on up into the sky and take over the world? He is amazing at those. During this talk my dad said something that stood out to me so much that I wish to share with you

A Little Girl's Best Friend...

2010-06-21T16:24:00.000+01:00

I never have understood - and never will understand - people who do not like animals nor see the importance of animals in one's life. They are not only a source of comfort and protection but medically, having a pet has proven to do more good for a patient than treatment itself in some cases. I'm not saying that having a pet will bring back your pigmentation in the case of Vitiligo, but it

He Sees Me Naked

2010-06-14T17:25:00.000+01:00

He Sees Me Naked – 16/05/2010- Darcel de Vlugt He sees me naked –In all my glory,With all my worry,And he is not fazed. He sees me naked;Beneath my mask of MAC, Without the camouflage I use to hide my issues;Without the airs and graces and bells on my feet;Without the self-impressions and self-opinions forced upon me by society;Without pretence, without barriers, without

Permission Secured!

2010-06-10T20:17:00.003+01:00

Fantastic news everybody! I have received the permission from the Commissioner of Police to have the WALK FOR SKIN here in Trinidad... which means full steam ahead with support and donations for those of you wishing to join me or to help the cause even if you can't join in... Sunday 27th June, meeting point opposite National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) by the Savannah, 4pm. We start

"Lucky", You Say - Part 5

2010-06-04T18:13:00.001+01:00

My friends have always been a major part of my backbone growing up, along with my parents and my brother. I consider them to be my family because they went through this with me from start to finish as well and still care about how it affects me today. They always tell me that they did not see my skin, and when they see pictures of me from back in the day it is as shocking to them as it is to me,

"Lucky", You Say - Part 4

2010-05-29T18:45:00.000+01:00

Here I am at my confirmation in Cyprus in 1995. We had recently moved to a new town called Limassol (roughly an hour or so drive away from Paphos where we first lived) and I had changed schools. It was the first time I was seeing my old friends since moving, as my confirmation took place in Paphos where I had done my First Communion. I remember the first day of my new school, my mother wrote a

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year...

2010-05-25T17:21:00.000+01:00

Ah, summer! That time of year when coats and cardigans are packed away and the shorts and bikinis come out. Trips to the beach and foreign, exotic locations for vacation with friends and family… Sun, Sand and Sea… Summer, the time of year that is also known as: The bane of my existence. This is what summer means to me, my friends… Please try to understand if you will: No

"Lucky", You Say... - Part Three

2010-05-24T19:06:00.001+01:00

I remember once after a ballet class, I was complimented on my "psychedelic leggings" by one of the parents. I was wearing a leotard only with my ballet shoes. My feet were one colour only, with the patches starting from my ankles up. This is probably an image you may have already seen, but here's the full photograph that has become pretty much a staple image of my experience in the media

Letter From A Skinned Alive Reader

2010-05-18T23:34:00.003+01:00

I get a lot of emails and messages from people around the world throughout the week, which usually spur me on to continue writing on the Skinned Alive blog. Sometimes a letter will help me choose what topic to touch on and sometimes, like now, the letter itself is too good not to share. I was sent this last week by a reader and her letter was very touching. It helps to see things from someone

"Lucky", You Say... Part Two

2010-05-18T01:04:00.004+01:00

My Vitiligo spread to my arms and legs, then torso before taking over my face around the time of puberty. Here I am aged 8 in Cyprus - you can't see my arms and legs, which shows how easy they are to hide (when it's not summer), but you can see my natural original colour on my face (except for the small de-pigmented patches at the very top of my forehead by my hairline)... This was just

'Lucky' you say... - Part One

2010-05-11T19:31:00.001+01:00

It really bothers me when people tell me that I am "lucky". I hate that word, mainly because the people using the word don't understand what it took to get where I am today and they don't understand that I am STILL with a skin condition. I did not suddenly wake up white one day (you wouldn't believe how many people think this is the case!) The journey has been a long and hard one, and I'd like to

Important Update

2010-05-09T19:08:00.002+01:00

I know, I know, it's been so long since I sent out a message to you all that it seems as though I have dropped off the face of the earth! Forgive me... Actually, I've been working hard to try and secure permission to hold the first ever Walk For Skin here in Trinidad at the end of June... The aim is to raise awareness and bring attention to the people suffering with skin diseases who need a

Misery Loves Company...

2010-03-23T22:44:00.000+00:00

There are a couple of young ladies I talk to every so often regarding their skin, and they are at that age where the world seems to be on your shoulders and nobody could possibly know what you’re going through… yes, they are teenagers. Considering I was once one of those myself, I figure at my ripe old age of 24, I can muster up a decent amount of memories about my own

The Source of Inspiration...

2010-03-08T21:50:00.000+00:00

Last night, I was watching the Oscars. At certain points of the awards show, there were some intense emotions. The first being Mo’nique’s win for her supporting actress role - in the movie Precious - and the honesty and humility in her speech. But even more emotional for me was finding out that the most talented hairstylist I know and have also had the pleasure of

OK... So What?

2010-02-17T12:00:00.000+00:00

My first serious relationship happened when I was 17 years old. Until that time, I had accepted that I would never be like my girlfriends in the boys’ eyes. I never had guys falling over themselves for me the way my girlfriends did, so I did the next best thing and made sure I was as good friends with them as I could be instead. Growing up with an older brother in the house meant that I had a