Michael Jackson vitiligo
Michael Jackson was an incredibly talented performer with a career spanning decades. However, his life was also subject to constant public scrutiny, particularly his changing appearance. Jackson revealed in 1993 that he had vitiligo, a skin condition that causes loss of pigment. Here’s a closer look at Michael Jackson and vitiligo.
Michael Jackson and Vitiligo: A Timeline
Jackson’s vitiligo diagnosis became a topic of much speculation. Here’s a timeline of his journey with the condition:
- Early 1980s: Jackson’s skin began to lighten, coinciding with the release of “Thriller.”
- 1983: Jackson starts wearing a single white glove, which some speculate was to cover up vitiligo patches.
- 1986: Jackson is officially diagnosed with vitiligo and lupus.
- 1993: In a revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey, Jackson discusses his vitiligo diagnosis, dispelling rumors about wanting to “be white.”
Did Michael Jackson Have Vitiligo?
After his death in 2009, Jackson’s autopsy report confirmed what he’d said years earlier: he did indeed have vitiligo. The report cited “patches of light and dark pigmented areas” and listed vitiligo in his medical history.
Michael Jackson’s Vitiligo Treatment
The autopsy report also revealed that Jackson was using Benoquin cream, a treatment for vitiligo that depigments the skin. This further confirms that Jackson’s changing skin tone wasn’t a result of trying to “be white,” as some had cruelly suggested.
What is Benoquin Cream?
Benoquin is a topical cream containing monobenzone, an ingredient that lightens the skin. It’s FDA-approved to treat vitiligo, typically used when someone wants to even out their skin tone if they have widespread vitiligo.
Could Vitiligo Alone Account for Jackson’s Dramatic Skin Change?
While vitiligo can cause significant skin depigmentation, it’s rare for it to turn someone’s skin completely white. It’s more likely that Jackson’s use of Benoquin, combined with the natural progression of his vitiligo, led to his dramatic skin transformation in the late 1980s.
The Legacy of Michael Jackson and Vitiligo
Although his life was cut short, Jackson’s openness about his condition helped raise awareness of vitiligo. He endured relentless media scrutiny and public speculation about his health, a struggle that many with visible differences understand all too well.
Jackson’s story reminds us that even global icons are not immune to the challenges of living with a skin condition. It also highlights the importance of empathy and understanding when it comes to visible differences.
