Introduction
Living with vitiligo often brings unexpected emotional and physical challenges. In this vitiligo patient story, we follow the journey of Kandice Benford, a bride-to-be whose skin condition transformed her wedding plans—and ultimately, her self-acceptance.
Kandice’s Journey: From Stress to Self-Acceptance
Kandice Benford, a hairdresser from Mississippi, first noticed vitiligo during college—small spots that faded over time. Years later, just before her wedding, a bout of stress triggered by her fiancé’s serious illness caused vitiligo to spread across her face and hands.
Despite fearing stigmatization, Kandice chose to embrace her skin rather than hide it. On her wedding day, she applied only light makeup and leaned on her husband’s support—which helped her see her beauty in a new light Self.
How She Coped and Found Confidence
- Embracing authenticity rather than trying to conceal the condition with heavy makeup.
- Empowerment through self-love: Kandice learned to “just love yourself and be patient,” enabling both emotional healing and personal growth
Treatment & Acceptance: What Works
Treatment & Acceptance: What Works
While Kandice focused on emotional resilience, the broader medical landscape offers evolving treatments:
- Topical creams (such as corticosteroids or tacrolimus)
- Phototherapy with narrow-band UVB light
- Surgical options for stable vitiligo
- FDA-approved ruxolitinib cream (Opzelura) – the first modern treatment shown to restore pigmentation in some patients
Treatment takes patience, and results vary depending on the individual.
Learn more in our Vitiligo treatment guide.
Vitiligo: My Patient´s Story
This video shares a personal account of living with vitiligo, explores its causes, and discusses treatment options.
Leave a Reply