Vitiligo is a condition in which pigment is destroyed in certain areas of the skin, resulting in white-colored patches. This condition results when the cells responsible for producing melanin cease functioning properly. While vitiligo can affect anyone, it is more noticeable in those with naturally darker complexions. While the most common side effect of vitiligo is social unease or emotional distress, it can also make patients more susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer or result in eye problems and hearing loss. Vitiligo is not yet fully understood by the medical community, but the death or failure of melanocytes may be related to autoimmune disorders, genetics, or a triggering event where the skin is damaged.