The exact cause is a complex puzzle, but we know the foundation: It is pre-wired in your genes. Think of your genetics as a loaded spring, just waiting for a specific "trigger" to set it off.

Vitiligo onset is akin to an avalanche. For years, the snow (your genetic predisposition) sits quietly. But eventually, a "bad luck" moment—a small, singular event—can act as the trigger that starts the massive, downward slide.

In about half of all cases, people can point to a specific moment or condition that started the depigmentation. In the other half, the cause remains unknown.

Common Triggers: The "Bad Luck" Moments

• The Mind-Body Connection: Psychological stress is the most frequently reported trigger for onset or flare-ups.
• Gut Health & Dysbiosis: Your immune system starts in your gut. Dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut bacteria) or chronic gastritis can create systemic inflammation and impair the absorption of vital nutrients like B12, copper, and zinc, indirectly "priming" the body for an autoimmune attack.
• Physical Trauma (The Koebner Phenomenon): Severe sunburns, physical skin damage, or even surgical scars can act as a "danger signal," causing the immune system to attack pigment cells at the site of the injury.
• Hormonal Shifts: Significant changes during pregnancy, delivery, or menopause are frequent culprits.
   

The Hidden Culprit: Chemical Triggers

Certain chemicals act as "melanocyte-stressors," causing oxidative stress that "chokes" pigment cells. These are often hidden in everyday household and personal care items:

• Skincare & Cosmetics: Many lotions, shampoos, and "fade" creams contain phenolic compounds or hydroquinone derivatives. These chemicals are structurally similar to the building blocks of melanin; the melanocyte "mistakenly" absorbs them, leading to cellular self-destruction.
• Industrial Materials: Materials like PPD (hair dyes/inks), PTBP (adhesives/rubber), and MBH (germicidal soaps) are known catalysts. They are commonly found in rubber shoes, black socks, detergents, and even some condoms.
• Fragrances & Surfactants: Harsh foaming agents in shampoos or "secret" ingredients in perfumes can strip the skin's protective barrier, allowing chemical triggers to penetrate deeper into the hair follicles where pigment stem cells live.
   

The Bottom Line: You didn’t "cause" your vitiligo. It is a biological response to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental "noise."