In the days since Michael Jackson's passing, we've all read and heard a lot about every area of his life. The changing color of Michael's skin has always been a subject of great debate. Some people blame a skin condition called vitiligo, while others believe he underwent chemical peels with the intention of changing his skin color from brown to an almost ghostly white. As is often the case when such speculation abounds, the answer is most likely both.
While vitiligo does cause a loss of pigmentation, it does not create an even, overall color change such as could be observed on Michael Jackson's face. For that kind of change to occur in that manner, it would be almost unthinkable that there wasn't some sort of cosmetic/medical intervention.
I believe from viewing photos from various times throughout his career that Mr. Jackson had at least two chemical peels, and most likely more than that. However, that doesn't mean that his intention was to transform himself from one color to another. Considering Michael's apparent obsession with his face, it is easy to understand that his vitiligo would have caused him much distress. Of course he would want to do something about the patches of uneven pigmentation that had shown up on his much-watched face.
While there exists no cosmetic treatment that can even out skin tone by adding pigment, a chemical peel can certainly take away pigment, especially in people of color. In trying to even out his skin tone, Michael did in effect "bleach" his face. However, this does not necessarily mean that he was trying to change his ethnic identity. I personally believe he was just trying to achieve the "perfection" that was his obsession (an obsession which may have ultimately contributed to his passing far too soon).
UPDATE: After reading some of the comments, I have something to add (at the risk of repeating myself): Once again, for the sake of clarity, I will say that I DO believe Michael Jackson had vitiligo. I also happen to believe that he had at least 2 chemical peels, but do NOT believe he had the peels to try and change or deny his ethnicity. (Even Michael's good friend, mentor, and colleague, Quincy Jones, has said that Michael had chemical peels, and the evenness of his skin tone in later years suggests the same.)
I personally believe he most likely had the peels to try and even out his uneven skin tone which came as a result of his vitiligo (and possibly a bit of acne or acne scarring as well). I know many people -- myself included -- would probably have done the same thing in his situation. I am not trying to cause any hurt or to disparage Michael's name -- only to address an issue about which many people have shown interest.
See plastic surgery before and after photos.
I have been looking at photos of Michael throughout the years and there are some that show evidence that he really had vitiligo. In some of his videos especially the “They Don’t Care About Us”, if you look carefully especially on his chest and arms you can see the unevenness or patches on his skin, despite the bleaching. So I think that is why he wore so much make up and long sleeved clothes. Also I’ve never for a moment believed that he was ashamed for his race. Most of his videos stars African-Americans, and he always talked of his heros such as James Brown, plus he donated hundreds of thousands to the United Negro College Fund. I do agree with you that he was obssessed with his face especially his nose, but I believe he still viewed himself as a black man.
Now that Michael Jackson’s dermatoligist has come out on Larry King Live and confirmed that he did have vitiligo – an advanced case that covered the majority of his body – can the rest of you “experts” stop perpetuating the lie that he bleached/peeled his skin? You have no idea how much hurt your speculation caused over the years. No one wants paper white skin. But because “experts” kept this lie going people were allowed to scorn and mock him for what amounts to a disability. Shameful.
Once again, for the sake of clarity, I will say that I DO believe Michael Jackson had vitiligo. I also happen to believe that he had at least 2 chemical peels, but do NOT believe he had the peels to try and change or deny his ethnicity. (Even Michael’s good friend, mentor, and colleague, Quincy Jones, has said that Michael had chemical peels, and the evenness of his skin tone in later years suggests the same.)
I personally believe he most likely had the peels to try and even out his uneven skin tone which came as a result of his vitiligo (and possibly a bit of acne or acne scarring as well). I know many people — myself included — would probably have done the same thing in his situation. I am not trying to cause any hurt or disparagement — only to address an issue about which many people have shown interest.
I agree, also, he probably had some make up to help hide the of patches of discolored skin. he has been known to wear makeup, i mean don’t all celebrities? He also got tattooed eyeliner.
Michael Jackson’s persistent problem with vitiligo (and the diseases associated with vitiligo) is a really grim testimony on the ineffectiveness of all the treatments, services, lotions and potions he probably received. It is a shame that he — and millions of other people — are kept in the dark and unaware that MD’s were curing the underlying problems causing vitiligo 70 years ago, and without doing anything at all to the skin. If anyone wants to get hold of that kind of information — and cure themselves — they could go to curevitiligotreatment.com.