Why Is My Vitiligo Getting Worse?
Updated on July 13, 2026
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If I Have Vitiligo, Will It Change?
NewYork-Presbyterian dermatologist Andrew Alexis, MD, details how vitiligo evolves.
If a new vitiligo patch seems to pop up out of nowhere or an existing one suddenly appears bigger, it may seem like your vitiligo is getting worse. While certain environmental factors and other triggers can cause flares that aren’t a natural progression of the disease, they are, unfortunately, still a sign of progression.
But being aware of this is a good thing. If you discover that something as simple as a new skin care product is what’s causing your vitiligo to flare, you can switch to a different one and avoid worsening the situation. And if you pay attention to what touches your skin, among other triggers, you can prevent future flares.
Vitiligo Triggers: Genes and Beyond
For many people with vitiligo, the disease is inherited, though less than half know of anyone else in their family with the condition. “Multiple genes have been linked to vitiligo, particularly some related to immune function,” according to Shoshana Marmon, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of dermatology at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York.
Exposure to certain things in the environment can trigger vitiligo flares in people with or without a genetic predisposition to the disease. “Vitiligo is one of the few diseases where we know there are environmental triggers,” says John Harris, MD, PhD, founding director of the vitiligo clinic and research center and chair of the department of dermatology at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, in Worcester.
In his own past research, for example, Dr. Harris and his colleagues found that women who start coloring their hair before age 30 or use hair dye for more than five years at any age have a 50 percent higher risk of developing what is known as chemical vitiligo, which is a form of the disease that does not have a genetic component.
Monobenzone, once used to make rubber gloves, is another known chemical vitiligo trigger. Ironically, it became the basis of one of the earliest vitiligo treatments, known as depigmentation, in which unaffected skin adjacent to white or light-colored patches is lightened to make the difference in color less stark.
Managing Common Vitiligo Triggers
Not everyone with vitiligo is susceptible to the same triggers, but there are several common ones.
Skin Trauma
Cuts, burns, and even the friction that occurs when skin rubs against skin have been found to set off vitiligo flares. This is due to a reaction called the Koebner phenomenon, which also occurs in other skin conditions, such as psoriasis and lichen planus.
To minimize your risk of an injury that might trigger a vitiligo flare, Dr. Marmon recommends handling your skin with care. Don’t scrub too hard in the tub or shower; try not to scratch itchy areas; and, if you scrape an elbow or cut yourself while shaving, tend to these minor wounds right away to prevent infection and help them heal.
Sun Exposure
Sunburn, which is another type of skin injury, can also trigger a vitiligo flare that enlarges or leads to new vitiligo patches. Doctors advise people with vitiligo to steer clear of ultraviolet rays as much as possible and take the same precautions everyone should out in the sun: Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and cover as much skin as possible with a hat, sunglasses, and clothing. And keep in mind that already-depigmented skin is particularly susceptible to sunburn.
Chemicals
Certain components of hair dye, bleaching agents, cosmetics, skin-care products, and household cleaners can set off a vitiligo flare. Marmon advises choosing products labeled hypoallergenic that are free of harsh chemicals, fragrances, and irritants. Test any new product you want to try on a small area of unaffected skin before using it on large swaths.
Stress (Including Emotional Distress)
Psychological factors, such as stress, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression — which, research shows, affect about 40 percent of people living with vitiligo — can play a role in how often vitiligo flares occur and how severe they are.
If you find this is the case for you, make stress management and relaxation techniques part of your daily routine. Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises are proven ways to help counter anxiety and promote calmness. For more intensive mental health support, tell your doctor what’s going on and consider seeing a therapist.
Hormonal Changes
Fluctuations in hormones, such as during pregnancy and menopause, as well as exposure to birth control pills or hormone supplementation, have been associated with triggering vitiligo flares. One research review found that vitiligo got worse for approximately 18 percent of pregnant women and 28 percent of new moms.
In the case of women still in the postpartum period, researchers believe the loss of the immunosuppression that pregnancy causes may play a role in their vitiligo flares. But in many cases, what brings on new or larger vitiligo patches is something that can be identified and avoided, or have its impact lessened.
Resources We Trust
- Cleveland Clinic: Vitiligo
- Mayo Clinic: Vitiligo: Symptoms & Causes
- Indiana University School of Medicine: Is Vitiligo Hereditary? Understanding the Genetic Links and Causes
- Vitiligo Research Foundation: The Immunology Of Vitiligo In Plain English: Update 2026
- Harvard Health Publishing: Vitiligo
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
- Seneschal J et al. Vitiligo: Current Therapies and Future Treatments. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual. December 2023.
- Understanding Vitiligo: An Overview. British Skin Foundation.
- Wu S et al. Use of Permanent Hair Dyes and Risk of Vitiligo in Women. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research. November 2015.
- Kuroda Y et al. Pathogenesis of Chemical Leukoderma and Chemical-Induced Vitiligo. The Journal of Dermatology. November 18, 2025.
- Mashreghi Moghadam P et al. A Comprehensive Review on Present and Future of Pharmacotherapy of Vitiligo Disease and Potential Therapeutic Strategies. Phytomedicine Plus. May 2023.
- Koebner Phenomenon. Cleveland Clinic. April 27, 2022.
- Chiavolini D. Vitiligo: What We Know and What We Don’t Know. Global Autoimmune Institute.
- Rmadi N et al. Role of Chemical Exposure in the Incidence of Vitiligo: A Case–Control Study in Tunisia. Libyan Journal of Medicine. November 26, 2022.
- Salari N et al. Global Prevalence of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Among Patients with Skin Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Prevention. August 2024.
- Valle Y. Vitiligo and Mental Health: How Antidepressants Shape the Body. Vitiligo Research Foundation. October 30, 2025.
- Relaxation Techniques: What You Need To Know. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. June 2021.
- Liu W et al. The Neuro-Endocrinal Regulation in Vitiligo. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research. June 2, 2025.
- Abdelhafez MA et al. Vitiligo and Pregnancy: How Do Each Affect the Other? Annals of Medicine and Surgery. October 2021.
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Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. Her areas of expertise include acne, rosacea, integrative treatments...
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