Michael Jackson: What is vitiligo, the disease that affected the King of Pop?

Understanding Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a long-term autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose their natural pigment. This happens when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color.

As melanocytes are destroyed, white patches begin to appear on different areas of the body. The condition can affect people of all skin tones, but it is often more noticeable in individuals with darker skin.

Vitiligo is not contagious, life-threatening, or physically painful in most cases. However, it can have a significant emotional and psychological impact due to its visible nature.