Treatments for Vitiligo: Michael Jackson's Skin Disease

by Monica Prata
07/09/09

Vitiligo is a skin disease which plagues nearly 2% of the worlds population and is the same skin disease that reportedly plagued the late Michael Jackson. Vitiligo produces patches of depigmentation on the skin. These patches of depigmentation can vary in shape and size, and when untreated, they often expand over time. While the exact cause of Vitiligo remains unknown, it is associated with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and has shown to be more common in people with thyroid disorders. In cases where there is no relation to such diseases, environmental factors and stress seem to contribute to the onset of Vitiligo.

In many cultures, the appearance of Vitiligo has given the disease an unfortunate social stigma, and those who suffer from the disease are often ostracized (as an obvious example, Michael Jackson’s Vitiligo was the subject of ridicule and jokes for years). For patients who only have minor cases of Vitilgo, there is a wide assortment of at-home remedies and cosmetics that can be used to reduce or mask the appearance of small patches of discoloration and depigmentation. Individuals who suffer from more severe cases of Vitiligo, such as the type Michael Jackson battled, are finding solace in the advancements in technologies and surgical remedies being used to treat the disease.

One of the most common techniques for treating Vitiligo is PUVA (Psoralen & Ultra-Violet A light). PUVA Phototherapy has proven to be successful in over half of those treated with this method. PUVA is a combination of medication and light treatment. The light treatment is administered 2-3 times per week and only takes about fifteen minutes to complete, but many sessions are required. Another option for those suffering from more severe but stable Vitiligo is Ultra Thin Skin Grafting. The process of Ultra Thin Skin Grafting generally takes 2-3 months for the pigmentation to merge and match with the surrounding skin color. Melanocyte transplantation is also an option. Melanocytes are the pigment producing cells in the skin and are the cells which are affected by Vitiligo. Melanocyte transplantation is an excellent method for those with large areas of discoloration; optimal cosmetic results are achieved through this process.

Among cosmetic and surgical treatments, there are many support groups offering moral support in addition to educating and exploring options in treatment. In 1993, in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson openly admitted that he suffered from Vitiligo. Through his veracity he has promoted a great deal of awareness about what was once a little known condition. Remarkable strides have been made in treating Vitiligo, and those who once suffered endlessly from this condition can take solace in knowing that there are now a plethora of treatments and support networks available to them.

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