Why Did Anakin’s Skin Turn White?

When Luke takes his Dad’s helmet off, Anakin’s face is completely pale. Why did Anakin’s skin turn white?

Anakin’s skin turns white because he never removes his helmet. Darth Vader’s helmet must remain on at all times in order to breathe, so there’s no chance for sunlight to reach his face.

It’s also possible that the lava from Mustafar burned away the pigment on Anakin’s skin.

Reasons why Anakin’s skin turned white

Towards the end of Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader’s helmet is removed and the we see his pale face. What’s shocking is the fact that his skin appears completely white. This raises the question: Why did Anakin’s skin turn white?

First, it’s important to understand that Anakin suffered severe burns while being caught in a lava flow. These burns were so severe that they left him disfigured and unable to breathe without a suit. The helmet that he wore was not just for show – it was necessary to keep him alive.

RELATED:
Why Can’t Darth Vader Breathe?

Since the helmet was never allowed to be removed, it’s likely that Anakin’s skin turns white because of the lack of sunlight.

Another theory is that the heat from the lava destroyed the pigment that gives skin its color. It’s possible the cells were destroyed by the heat, and the color faded away.

It’s also worth noting that Anakin’s face might not have turned white immediately after his injuries.

This slow loss of pigments could have taken place over a long time. The lack of melanin could have made him susceptible to sun damage, which would be another reason to keep the helmet on. Since Star Wars isn’t bound by the laws of our universe, there could be many other explanations as to why the skin turned white.

In conclusion, Anakin Skywalker’s skin either turned white because the intense heat from the lava destroyed his melanocytes, or because of never taking the helmet off. This loss of pigmentation likely happened gradually over time and may have been exacerbated by sun damage.

So that’s the answer. Anakin’s skin turns white because he never removes his helmet.