“occurs when the cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning. Most famously perhaps, the late entertainer, Michael Jackson shared that he had the condition and since then, there have been misconceptions, especially in the black community.
Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people with darker skin.
Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes white patches of skin to appear on various parts of the face and body, according to the Vitiligo Research Foundation (VRF). The disorder can also cause hair to lose its pigment and turn white. The condition can affect people of any race but is more noticeable in people with darker skin and hair.
Generally, vitiligo is believed to be an autoimmune condition, which means the immune system mistakenly attacks pigment-producing cells (melanocytes).
The condition affects up to 2 percent of the world’s population, according to the VRF.
Vitiligo is not contagious. But people are often