What is the importance of hydrating your skin in the case of vitiligo?

Affecting between 0.5 and 2% of the global population, vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune dermatosis, with an underlying genetic susceptibility, characterized by the loss of melanocytes and, consequently, reduced melanin pigmentation. This loss is notably due to structural abnormalities of keratinocytes at the level of the white macules. Indeed, a dysfunction of the PI3K/AKT pathway, essential for the differentiation and survival of keratinocytes, has been observed in individuals with vitiligo. This dysfunction is notably correlated with a low quantity of E-cadherins in the skin, proteins that allow the cells of the epidermis to adhere to each other.

Furthermore, studies have shown a reduced presence of aquaporin-3 in the skin of individuals affected by vitiligo. This is a transmembrane protein involved in skin hydration. Indeed, aquaporin-3 plays a significant role in membrane permeability, and thus in controlling the exchange of water between the inside and outside of cells. It therefore seems possible that the low presence of aquaporin-3 in individuals affected by vitiligo could be the cause of reduced intrinsic skin hydration.

However, to date, there are very few studies on this subject. One of them, conducted in 2015, examined the various biophysical parameters of the skin of two individuals: one person not suffering from any skin disease and having a normal skin type, and another suffering from vitiligo. Corneometric tests, which measure the degree of skin hydration, and measurements of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were carried out. The results obtained are compiled in the table below and seem to show some skin dryness in the skin affected by vitiligo. However, since the study only included two individuals, it is very difficult to draw solid conclusions. More research, involving large population panels, is still needed.