Why Michael Jackson's Skin Turned White as He Got Older

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Many scandals marred Michael Jackson’s personal life, overshadowing his otherwise remarkable musical career. One such scandal was the obvious change in his appearance, especially his skin color, which started from the mid-eighties to slowly but surely turn from dark to white.

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[TodayIFoundOut]

And speaking of things that affect the skin check out this video discussing How The Sun Burns Your Skin (And How To Prevent This) here:

[singhanmolpreet]

Think about this: Michael Jackson is one of the few musicians that is remembered by almost every country and culture, despite race, age and language. That is quite something to achieve.

[TECAROL]

my cousin is using the cream, she can't control the vitiligo, just like Michael she took treatments to get her skin dark..but it got worse. Michael is not the only one.

[Lucky_]

As someone who also has vitiligo, what caused mine was likely a combination of stress and genetics. My cousin has it too. In Jackson’s case, I also believe that the stress from his demanding career was a primary cause of his vitiligo. Stress is a very common factor in vitiligo development, and the dermatologist that I went to said this.

[beckymitchell]

I remember the first sign of vitiligo on my left hand when I was 11 years old. It spread and got to the point that most of the skin was lighter and would just leave small blotches of the darker. People were mean, children and adults alike. Saying I had patches of dirt on my skin, and making it out like it was a hygiene issue. I went through this for years. And kept getting more sensitive to the sun. Finally, in my 20s I started using skin lightening cream to put on the darker blotches that would be left everytime my skin got lighter. I had to or it would've constantly been uneven and blotchy. Now in my 40s, people still talk about me and say I'm weird, ect. And I recently found out I have Lupus as well. I couldn't imagine going through these things in public with no privacy like he did. It's hard enough just dealing with the people who are suppose to love and accept me that don't. My heart goes out to him and all he went through.

[alexw]

It's so sad how much hate Michael got for doing what was best for him while other artists do way worse for no real reason

[Kaurdi]

The vitiligo started in his right hand, and he used a fashionable glove to cover it up
and hide it, which is how the iconic shiny michael jackson glove was invented.

[excelsior]

Makes so much sense. His vitiligo was clearly much more serious but he didn't want to be seen with large patches, would feel insecure as well. My vitiligo appeared when I was in 6th grade now 7 years later it's still in the same spot it has not spread been using certain creams to help with it.

[beast]

Even if Micheal bleached his skin on purpose, which I don't believe he did, why does it matter, he's still one of the greatest if not the greatest performer of all time. And a legend.

[kaylaluvsf]

I just wanna say. It don’t matter if you're black or white.

[peterp.wanabe]

If you take his wardrobe styles (the gloves and long sleeves) and other actions it's obvious that he was trying to hide this condition for years.

[susanfit]

I was told back years ago in the late 80's, 90's, and 2000's, that Michael Jackson's skin had been medium-brown during his youth, but from the mid-1980s gradually grew paler. The change drew widespread media coverage, including speculation that he had been bleaching his skin. His dermatologist, Arnold Klein, said he observed in 1983 that Jackson had vitiligo, a condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment and sensitivity to sunlight. He also identified discoid lupus erythematosus in Jackson. He diagnosed Jackson with lupus that year, and with vitiligo in 1986. Vitiligo's drastic effects on the body can cause psychological distress. Jackson used fair-colored makeup, and possibly skin-bleaching prescription creams, to cover up the uneven blotches of color caused by the illness. The creams would depigment the blotches, and, with the application of makeup, he could appear very pale. Jackson said he had not purposely bleached his skin and could not control his vitiligo, adding, "When people make up stories that I don't want to be who I am, it hurts me."

[OfficialBillC]

“It don’t matter if you’re black or white” -Michael Jackson

[ashleydeluca]

Why am I today years old when I found out Jackson was married to Elvis’s daughter

[KaiseaWings]

Wouldn't surprise me if he bleached his skin to even it out.
Poor MJ. Wasn't fair how the world treated him.

[StarSong]

As someone with a skin condition myself, I know only too well the stigma that can come with it. In my case, my skin sheds, and I have reddish patches. Makes me look like a zombie. I frequently get the stink eye over something I can't do anything about. My condition is seborrheic dermatosis.

[ubtpixielox]

A reminder to anyone out there with vitiligo, piebaldism, birthmarks, etc., you don’t have to cover it up, and there’s nothing wrong with you. If there are people making you feel ashamed of your own skin, they’re the ones who need to change, not you.
Also, for those from cultures with primarily dark/tan skin, regardless of if you have white spots, full albinism, or even choose to bleach your skin, a colour can’t take your culture away from you. Don’t let people tell you you don’t belong. THEY don’t belong in your life.

[agentpandakat]

He said this for YEEEAAARS
And nobody believed him
Poor man
Noone EVER believed him

[CaToRi-]

In most cases, vitiligo starts on the hands... that explain why he started using the glove

[hondac]

I don't care if he messed with his looks or not he was still that superstar underneath it all and left us with some classic songs that are still as good today in 2023 .👌