Celebrity Myth Pop-Culture Medicine

Michael Jackson Bleached His Skin to Appear White

Jackson had vitiligo; he used cosmetics and skin treatments for this condition

Michael Jackson deliberately bleached his skin to become white.

Michael Jackson had vitiligo, a depigmentation disorder that causes loss of skin colour in patches. He used makeup, sunscreen, and dermatological treatments to even out his skin tone. Jackson's dermatologist confirmed the vitiligo diagnosis. His changing appearance resulted from managing this medical condition, not from cosmetic preference or racial self-hatred as media narratives sometimes suggested.

Believed 1958–2009
Year Revised 1995
Why Changed New Evidence
Confidence Revised
Region Worldwide

Reception

8/10
6/10

Sources

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