In 2007, even after two decades since the incident, Michael Jackson was caught wincing in pain as his hairstylist touched his head, but as soon as he saw the cameraman, he tried to downplay his pain

What Michael Jackson went through was not a one time pain; he underwent multiple painful procedures involving tissue expanders in his scalp. Due to his lupus, every attempt to remove the scar tissue caused the bald spot to enlarge and the process became unbearable, requiring him to rely on painkillers. This is an example of the procedure he had to undergo for several years and he would use his fedora hats to conceal it.

After several weeks the Doctors stated that he could never have a “normal, natural head of hair”. His hair follicles were severely damaged in the injured region, forcing him to adapt to wearing hair pieces out of NECESSITY. He began wearing them to match with his curls, ensuring he looked presentable and maintained the image of a performer, which is essential

Despite of the immense physical and emotional toll, 30 days later, Michael Jackson had to show up in the spotlight. To conceal the scarring caused by the injury, he wore a hair piece to the Grammy Awards where he created history winning a record breaking 8 Grammys that night

A tissue expander(balloon) was inserted under his scalp to stretch the scalp back to a normal state and remove the scar tissue. On top of that he had neuroma formation - one of the most difficult kinds of pain to treat.

Following the incident, Michael underwent multiple surgeries where doctors used a carbon dioxide laser to remove scar tissue and reconstructed an area of his scalp the size of a palm. They stretched skin to cover the tender area.

42 years ago today, Michael Jackson's hair caught on fire while filming a commercial for Pepsi. The fire caused 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his scalp. TW// But how severe was it? 🧵

Though MJ was battling through the pain, he took time to meet other burn patients. Instead of suing Pepsi, he had them donate $1.5 million to the Brotman Medical Centre, where the burn ward was renamed to Michael Jackson Burn Centre for his generosity.

Despite of going through this life long trauma, Michael Jackson being the perfectionist that he was, handled everything so graciously that he became a style icon. He incorporated different hairstyles into the different eras of his career becoming a hallmark of his artistic reinvention. His hairstyles remain some of the most recognizable looks in music history 🐐

For it to still affect him after 20 years is horrible bro idk how he did all them tours an everything else he did bro was pure strength cause I would never

@King_of_1958 This is so sad. Michael suffered so much physical and mental anguish during his life.

He was still in pain from his burnt scalp 😭😭 it never healed due to his lupus

I didn't know wigs were painful.

Read the whole thread and save yourself from the embarrassment 🫶🏽

He was just such a nice guy! God Bless him!

@starzriot My poor baby😭😭

@grok what is “the incident?”

@iamveronica777 The "incident" refers to the January 27, 1984, accident during a Pepsi commercial shoot where pyrotechnics set Michael Jackson's hair on fire, causing second- and third-degree burns to his scalp. It led to surgeries, chronic pain, and his use of painkillers.

I'd have punched that photographer in the face if that had been me or if I'd been there seeing him hurt Michael like that. Credit to MJ for being professional.

What would be cause of that?

My God, I'm still so in love with him🥰🤩💕

Never seen that clip . Made me wince when he did😔

Those ignorant idiots.

@King_of_1958 I imagine this is what he would do during Joe’s beatings. ☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️