Photo: Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images The patchy, discolored
effect of vitiligo looks dramatic, especially on African-
Americans and darker-skinned people, but the condition isn't
medically dangerous. Vitiligo refers to a skin problem that
involves a loss of brown pigment from the skin. Michael Jackson
famously suffered from the disease, which is actually pretty
common; about 1 percent of Americans are affected by vitiligo.
People suffering from vitiligo develop milky-white patches on
their skin where the brown pigment has disappeared. These white
patches usually occur on skin that has been exposed to the sun,
like your hands, face or arms, although you can also get them on
your genitals or other areas. Some people also experience
premature white or gray hair, loss of pigment in the mucous
membranes in the mouth or loss of color in the retina, but these
additional symptoms aren't as common. Causes and Risk Factors
Doctors don't know what causes vitiligo, which occurs when the
melanocytes in your skin quit