Ash Soto: Turning Vitiligo into a Celebration of Art and Self-Love. Ash Soto was diagnosed with vitiligo at age 12, a condition that causes loss of skin pigment and creates white patches on the body. As her condition worsened during her teenage years, she faced bullying and shame — even being asked if she had showered with bleach.
This led to depression, anxiety, and deep insecurity. But Ash decided to take control of her story. She began challenging herself with small acts of courage, like going out in public without covering her skin. Over time, she learned to embrace her vitiligo — and eventually turned it into art.
“I never realized how beautiful my vitiligo was until I traced it with a black marker,” she said. The outlines resembled…
