What is one of the defining characteristics of vitiligo?

One of the defining characteristics of vitiligo is the loss of skin pigment. This condition occurs when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color), are damaged or destroyed. As a result, affected areas of the skin become lighter and lose their natural color, leading to noticeable white patches. This can occur on any part of the body and can be more pronounced in individuals with darker skin tones. The absence of pigment is the hallmark of vitiligo and differentiates it from other skin conditions that may not affect the melanin production in the same way.