Noellie

Tell us...

YOUR STORY IN A NUTSHELL

Hello, I'm Noëlie, I've had vitiligo since I was 10 years old.

I learned to love myself with my vitiligo and it helped build the person I am today with a fighter character and who knows what she wants in life :)

YOUR MEDICAL CAREER:

It took me more than 10 years to find a doctor who treated vitiligo. For 7 years now, I have had an effective follow-up and treatment that has allowed me to stabilize my vitiligo. I even had a re-pigmentation of more than 70%.

This is a corticosteroid cream that I put on every day in the summer and about every two weeks in the winter. Unfortunately, this treatment does not work for everyone.

My illness has shaped my character. I would surely be a different person if I hadn't had it. Somehow I think it was easier to have it young, I grew up with it and vitiligo is part of me.

However, no doubt, if I could choose not to have it anymore, I would not hesitate for a minute.

YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

Just accept me.

It hasn't been easy but I'm proud of how far I've come and I can now say that I think I'm beautiful...

I've had all types of remarks and teasing: cow, dalmatian... but as far as I can remember, I've always stood up for myself!

I feel like it made me stronger! Or did I already have that nature?

YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SUN?

I have a pathology that is more visible when I go out in the sun (the white parts don't tan because they have no pigments) so I have a somewhat conflicting relationship with him 😜.

More seriously, I have to protect myself properly to prevent my stains from burning since they have no protection. I think, however, that everyone should put on spf 50 cream.

With vitiligo, what is paradoxical is that light and protected exposure helps me re-pigment since combining it with my treatment activates melanin.

HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?

I apply spf 50 cream and do not expose myself to the hours when the sun is strongest. So no more than 20 minutes a day and mostly in the evening.

YOUR CURRENCY:

Hard work and dedication will always get you there.

I have always worked hard to get what I wanted, whether it was when I was playing high level sport or to achieve my professional goals. I believe in fighting to build the life you want to have.

YOUR 'GRANDMOTHER' ADVICE :

You can't say you didn't know!

Don't ignore what is said, it's like driving too fast and having an accident. Our behavior with our skin is the same. Take care of it.

Find Noëlie on her 'The HBC Family' account!