By Salt and Pepper [Staff Writer] I thought long and hard about leaving the program. I actually sent an email to my dermatologist and said that I couldn’t continue with the program if I couldn’t change the scheduled dates of receiving the implant from Mondays to Fridays. Having my implant put in on Fridays allows me to recuperate over the weekend from the side effects. Not wanting me to leave, the dermatologist immediately ordered my Monday appointments changed to Friday. Along with the implant drug afamelanotide, I have to participate in getting UVB “photo therapy” or light treatments 3 times per week. I stand in a closed cylinder of lights without any clothes. The length of time … [Read more...] about My Journey Into Darkness
vitiligo
My Journey Into Darkness
By SaltnPepper [Staff Writer] I’m of mixed nationalities. The blood of the French, African, and Native American Indian run through my veins. I’m what many people in the African American community would call a “light skinned” or “high yellow” Negro. However, all of that is about to change, for I've agreed to take part in an international experimental study of a drug that turns the human skin very dark. Beginning in the early 1900’s in America, a common practice occurred in the black community in regards to measuring skin color. It was called the “brown paper bag test.” If you’re a black person and you’re lighter than a brown paper bag, then you’re considered light skinned. This custom was … [Read more...] about My Journey Into Darkness