In the mid-1980s, Michael Jackson began to develop vitiligo, a condition that causes the loss of melanin and the appearance of progressively lighter patches on the skin. Over time, the patches became more extensive and visible, while the press constantly speculated about the changes in his appearance. Jackson publicly explained his condition during his famous interview with Oprah Winfrey in 1993. To even out the tone of the affected areas, he used makeup, and when the depigmentation became extensive, he turned to medical treatments designed to even out his skin tone. Complete depigmentation can be used in cases of very widespread vitiligo, although it is a permanent process. For years, vitiligo was one of the most misunderstood aspects of his physical transformation. Paradoxically, his case ended up becoming one of the best-known stories associated with this condition.