(HealthDay News) -- Vitiligo, a skin condition causing loss of pigment and white patches, affects about two of every 100 people, the American Academy of Dermatology says.

The severity of pigment loss varies with each person, and there is no way to predict how much pigment someone will lose.

People with the condition should avoid tanning because areas of vitiligo have no protection from the sun. Sunscreen should be worn at all times to avoid the possibility of skin cancer.

Makeup and micropigmentation tattooing may be helpful in disguising the white patches, and doctors may prescribe treatment to prevent further discoloration. Other treatments include topical corticosteroids, grafting, and depigmentation therapy. However, none of these therapies is a permanent cure.