Sammy Sosa went pale over the past six months. (Getty Images)
Depending on who you read, Sammy Sosa's new ghost-white skin is a botched cosmetic procedure, a side effect of steroids, or the result of Michael Jackson's skin disease (vitiligo).
The former Chicago Cubs slugger -- who tested positive for steroids in 2003, according to the New York Times -- went from very dark to lily white in six months.
The above photo shows Sosa and his wife Sonya at a People magazine event on May 13, 2009 (bottom) and at the Latin Grammy Awards two days ago, November 5, 2009. The difference in his skin tone is nothing short of alarming.
Neither Sosa nor his representative has issued a statement about it, so bloggers are left to speculate.
Vitiligo is a chronic disorder that causes depigmentation of the skin, usually in patches. The cause is unknown, but according to the Mayo Clinic, it may be an autoimmune disorder. It also may be related to autoimmune thyroid disorders or acute sun overexposure resulting in burns. In any case, there is no cure.
It is common for people who have vitiligo to lighten their skin so the depigmentized white patches don't stand out so much. That's what Michael Jackson did.
None of the medical sites we visited made a direct connection between vitiligo and anabolic steroid use. Skin color changes that can occur as a side effect of steroids generally involve yellowing, which can be a sign of liver damage.
Hopefully Sammy Sosa isn't ill. And hopefully he'll tell the world what's going on and put an end to the rampant speculation.
Comments
LOL...that's what MJ did.
Carol
"LOL...that's what MJ did. "
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No, That's not what Michael Jackson did. You need to research to see what Michael Jackson did which was to have a disease which changed his color, when people make the statement that "he bleached his skin" you the reader need to understand in what sense did he bleach his skin and to what degree. Michael Jackson total body was "white" do you think he bleached his total body?
He may have bleached spots on his face and that is not even certain because if you look at pictures with his vitiligo you can see the white spots and when his skin turns white you can see the brown spots.
This disease has the ability to cause your whole body to be void of pigment period. There are many pictures of people who have turned totally "white" from this disease without bleaching. I don't believe Michael did any bleaching or if he did it was minimal. Sammy Sosa HAD A CHOICE, Michael DIDN'T.
lol who cares. lets just be grateful for what we already are
Michael's skin color started to change around the time he turned 20. He was never completely white. It took many years to change that skin color. He still had brown spots all over his hands, arms, and legs when he was "white". Vitiligo is also spread even more because of stress. I think being the World's Most Famous Man is enough to give you some great amount of stress for the vitiligo to spread. He even tried to hide it with make-up. It was out of his control!
As for Sammy, his skin changed in six months, while Michael's took nearly 10yrs to be noticeable. Supposedly Sammy had skin rejuvenation or something, but he hasn't said anything HIMSELF!
Carol, shut up!
Sammy Sosa = Samosa.
Yep im pretty immature.
Tee Hee ^___^
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