Daily life is changed dramatically for people with vitiligo, especially those with darker skin tones, according to recent findings from the VALIANT study. The condition exacts a much greater toll on emotional and mental health, with patients of color describing higher rates of anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life compared to those with fairer skin. Researchers who surveyed over 3,500 people from 17 countries found that “patients with types V and VI on the Fitzpatrick skin type scale expressed considerably higher rates of burden compared with all other Fitzpatrick skin tones.”
The reason may be that depigmented areas stand out far more in patients with darker skin, making the condition more visible and stigmatizing. In fact, those with darker skin “typically reported a higher affected body surface area than those with fairer skin,” and their median disease extent was more than double that of lighter skin patients—6.6% compared to 2.5%. This difference, authors suggest, means people with fair skin might underestimate their affected area because lesions are less noticeable, especially on parts usually covered.
Among mental health findings, almost three-quarters of vitiligo patients with darker skin reported a diagnosed mental health condition, much higher than those with fairer skin. Rates of diagnosed anxiety and depression were especially elevated among people of color, with mean Vitiligo Impact Patient scale scores reaching 31.2 versus 24.5 for those with fairer skin. The study concludes there’s a disproportionate need for strategies to improve life for patients of color living with vitiligo, both in managing appearance and mental health costs linked to the disorder.
See: “Vitiligo Has Greater Impact on People With Darker Skin Tones” (September 4, 2025)
