How Did Michael Jackson Turn White?

It's a question that still surrounds the late pop icon Michael Jackson and his troubled life, as his health and appearance changed immensely throughout his career. How did the singer turn white? Was it done intentionally?

Early Years

As a child, Jackson had African-American features, with a broad nose and afro. Into the early 1980s, however, things began to change, and the media took notice. His skin gradually grew paler, spreading rumors that he was bleeching his skin. What was behind this mystery?

Vitiligo

It was later revealed that Michael Jackson was diagnosed with a disease called vitiligo. The "relatively common" chronic disorder causes depigmentation in patches of skin. The illness made Jackson very sensative to sunlight. The treatments he used for the condition reportedly further lightened his skin tone. Then, with the application of pancake makeup to even out blotches, he appeared pale.

Cosmetic Surgery

Jackson seemed to be obsessed with plastic surgery, with his appearance continuing to change into adulthood. Surgeons speculate that he has had work done on his forehead, lips, chin, cheekbone, and had undergone multiple surgeries on his nose.

Skin Bleaching?

Still, some critics do not believe that Jackson suffered from vitiligo, maintaining that he was trying to turn himself into a white man.

Dr. Pamela Lipkin, a New York plastic surgeon, told the Daily Mail that among the plastic surgery operations that Michael Jackson had undergone since his teens, skin bleaching was one of them.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitiligo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systemic_lupus_erythematosus

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1195843/Did-Michael-Jackson-want-white.html