Deep Dive In Vitiligo

Deep Dive In Vitiligo

Explore the powerful story of vitiligo—a ‘white armor’ that challenges, empowers, and inspires resilience. Join us weekly as we delve into the science, medicine, philosophy, and personal experiences behind this intricate skin condition. Hosted by Yan Valle, CEO of the VR Foundation and author of Amazon’s bestselling book on vitiligo, this podcast breaks down cutting-edge research and celebrates stories of strength. With our engaging AI-driven anchors, we make even complex ideas both accessible and captivating. Let’s dive in together and reimagine what it means to embrace, thrive, and shine with vitiligo!

Episodes

December 1, 2025 12 mins

Vitiligo may show up on your skin, but the drama starts lower down — in your gut, where trillions of microbes run the show. When that microscopic circus gets out of tune, your immune system can lose its mind.

Enter sucralose — that “harmless” fake sugar in your diet soda and protein shake. It tastes sweet, promises zero calories, and might just be quietly gaslighting your gu...

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From Easter Island soil to modern skin science — meet rapamycin, the molecule that might just change vitiligo care.

Once known mainly as an anti-rejection drug for organ transplants, rapamycin is now being tested as a topical treatment that could both calm the immune attack and help pigment return. Early studies look promising: minimal side effects, slow but steady repigment...

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Vitiligo isn’t just skin deep — it’s a full-body story. Almost half of those living with it also face anxiety or depression, tied together by the same stress circuits that link the brain and the skin.

In this episode, we dive into how antidepressants affect both body and mind — and why that matters for vitiligo care.

You’ll hear:

  • Read more
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What happens when a diagnosis becomes a movement?

In this episode, we follow vitiligo’s unlikely journey from clinic charts to concert stages — a story painted in art, music, film, and unapologetic self-expression. From rickshaw parades in Chandigarh to AI-generated portraits in Toronto and a wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York, creativity has become the heartbeat of Worl...

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When we launched vitiligo.ai back in 2023, the idea was simple: make reliable information about vitiligo available to anyone, anywhere, in any language. What could possibly go wrong, right?

Fast forward two years — turns out AI can sound smart, act caring, and still be utterly clueless. It imitates empathy but doesn’t actually care. It oozes confidence but often has no idea ...

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This one’s long overdue — but too important to ignore.

On May 24, 2025, the World Health Organization finally looked up from its stack of pandemics and cholesterol charts and said, “Oh right — skin diseases exist.” They’re now officially a global public health priority.

Took only 2 billion people and a few decades of collective itching, burning, ...

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Vitiligo has always had a delivery problem. Creams can’t get past the skin’s outer “brick wall,” and systemic drugs hit the whole body.

Now, nanotechnology is changing that — turning microscopic carriers into smart delivery trucks that sneak medicine exactly where it’s needed.

In this episode:

  • Why most creams fai...
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November 4, 2025 12 mins

Let’s be honest — when vitiligo hits your hands, there’s no hiding it. You notice. Everyone notices. And that’s what makes it one of the toughest forms to live with — and to treat.

The good news? A new study out of Osaka University finally gives this problem some structure. For the first time, scientists mapped out four clear subtypes of hand vitiligo — from small scattered patches in kids to full-blown ...

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Forget everything you thought you knew about vitiligo.

In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking new classification that shifts the focus from where vitiligo appears to how it behaves — offering doctors and patients a smarter, more predictive framework for care.

Ditch the old “segmental vs. non-segmental” divide. Meet five real-world phenotypes:

  • Highly Active Vitiligo...
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That 2 p.m. crash isn’t just about carbs, boredom, or Netflix binges. A sweeping new study of 6,000 people shows your blood chemistry — the hormones, fats, and even last night’s cheese board — may be scripting your afternoon slump.

In this episode, we unpack the seven molecules linked to daytime sleepiness, from omega fatty acids that keep you sharp to tyramine (hello, wine and parmesan) that makes men e...

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What does vitiligo care really cost in America today? From dermatology consults and phototherapy sessions to prescription creams like Opzelura, the bills can pile up fast.

In this episode, we unpack the true 2025 price tag of vitiligo treatment in the U.S., how much insurance actually covers, and the out-of-pocket traps patients often face.

Plus: practical tips to stretch coverage, navigate...

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Vitiligo care is finally breaking free from the old routine of steroids and phototherapy. Biologics like JAK inhibitors are driving impressive repigmentation in trials, while ruxolitinib cream made history as the first FDA-approved topical.

But the real headline is safety. A decade of FDA reports on tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, and ruxolitinib shows mostly mild, local side effects — yet a few rare surprises...

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Today, we take you behind the scenes of something rare: a tour inside Incyte’s research labs in Wilmington, Delaware, followed by the Patient Advocacy Summit.

Day One (September 4, 2025) felt almost cinematic — community leaders walking the same halls as scientists, asking everything from “What does it take to become a scientist?” to “How do you decide which molecule deserves millions in investment?”

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What really causes vitiligo? Genes, autoimmunity, stress… yes. But research now suggests where you live could matter just as much.

A major new study links environmental chemicals — especially phenols from industry and household products — to striking vitiligo “hotspots” across the U.S., including Massachusetts, the Rust Belt, and the Midwest.

In this episode, we take on one of the toughest questions in vitiligo research: how much o...

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Curious about the future of vitiligo treatment?

We take an investor-grade tour of the pipeline—breaking down leading mechanisms (JAK/TYK2, immune modulation, melanocyte regeneration), late- vs. early-stage assets, pivotal readouts, safety themes, and regional access.

We also track pricing and reimbursement signals, partnerships and M&A to watch, and what it all means for clinics, patien...

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Can an AI “talk” to cells? Yes—sort of.

This over-the-horizon episode spotlights a breakthrough open model family that turns single-cell RNA-seq into readable “cell sentences,” unlocking plain English Q&A, fast summaries, and even simulations of cell responses to drugs or edits.

Think of it as the next chapter after our vitiligo.ai experiments — a glimpse at making biology a conversation everyone can join.

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A quick, punchy ride through the origins of World Vitiligo Day and the trailblazers who lit the fuse. We lift off with the origin story — Rome’s modest launchpad to Toronto’s full-throttle HQ.   Highlights on approach:
  • A stop-the-room cameo from broadcast legend Lee Thomas
  • Science talks so clear your neighbor could explain them
  • AI-powered startup demos
  • A choke-up moment at the Calico screening
  • Community energy strong enough to...
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Fifteen years ago, vitiligo was a condition people barely whispered about. Today, World Vitiligo Day punches into nine-figure territory on social media and breakfast TV—without a Hollywood budget.

In this episode we trace WVD’s unlikely rise:

  • The kitchen-table origins in India, Nigeria, and Rome

  • A rolling-headquarters model that keeps the stage moving—and growing

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AI is changing the game in vitiligo care — from spotting early signs to predicting disease progression.

In this episode, we dive into breakthrough research using machine learning to distinguish between segmental and nonsegmental vitiligo, forecast disease activity, and improve diagnosis using blood tests, imaging, and clinical data. 

We cover:

  • Why traditional diagnostic ...

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What started as a small awareness event has grown into a global movement that’s reshaping the future of dermatology.

In this episode, we trace the remarkable rise of World Vitiligo Day (WVD) — a campaign that brought visibility to a long-overlooked condition, ignited pharmaceutical innovation, and redefined what global health advocacy can achieve.

Now in its 15th year, WVD 2025 is headquart...

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