This is a picture of vitiligo on the face. Complete loss of
melanin, the primary skin pigment, occurs for unknown reasons. The
resulting lesions are white in comparison to the surrounding skin.
Vitiligo may occur in the same areas on both sides of the face
(symmetrically) or it may be patchy (asymmetrical). The typical
vitiligo lesion is flat (macular) and depigmented, but maintains
the normal skin texture. The dark areas around the eyes are this
person's normal skin color.
Review Date: 05/13/2011
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease,
Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare
Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
