Fascinating Birthmarks Shared By People Online That You Have To See To Believe

I was born with CMN, which, as many of you know, means my body is covered in birthmarks.

As a child, I was bullied and rejected... I've been called by many nicknames. It has never been easy to go any where and feel comfortable because people confronted me with fear, some even laugh at me. Of course, it broke my self-esteem. But one day I prayed and asked God why... and guess what he replied? He told me I was a master piece! After that, I embarked on a journey of forgiveness and self-acceptance... I started talking to different people about how I feel, and I realized that keeping silent and not sharing my feelings was destroying me inside. I learned that talking about something that hurts you actually heals you. So I needed to make my social media a safe place for my mental health, so I unfollowed certain accounts that weren’t healthy for me. Finally, he was treating me with love and respect.

I started showing people who I really was and stopped hiding. My birthmarks are like my weapon to inspire people. We're so unique that we're

Some particularly ask me why I don’t consider using make-up to cover it. It is a very personal choice and I really understand why some decide to use make-up, because yes, it sure can be hard sometimes to literally ’face’ some situations. Yet already years ago I chose not to spent two hours of my morning in front of a mirror putting on a mask of chemical make-up to cover my stain so that 'society' would accept me and I would fit some ‘standard of normalcy’. I did try it, twice, the pancake of make-up, and although I love pancakes, this was a kind I absolutely did not want to try ever again. I didn’t recognize myself at all without my stain, and that was such a weird distorted feeling.
We live in a world where we identify too much with our bodies. I think we judge outside appearance too much and there is a sense of ‘normal’ that just ain’t real.

The type of birthmark is port wine stain, in case you were wondering. Wasn't sure whether to ink the white of the knuckles or not, decided against it. If you look carefully, you can see a little grey spot near the lower cluster-- that's where my sister embedded pencil lead, entirely (entirely) accidentally many years ago. Not the ones in New York, the ones on my hand. These hand drawings (I'm just on a roll today) were very difficult, mostly because my hand was constantly flexing and moving to get a better angle, and when pressure is put on my skin it whitens. Yes, I missed a spot. I was writing in the mirror for a while there, surprised I got as much as I did. My face is free of birthmarks. I suppose I could have blurred it if I thought you'd be unable to identify me from my giant red arm. I wish this picture had been against a backdrop that wasn't full of Michael Crichton books. There's the boot tributary thingamabob, right on top. To the right, there's a little teardrop-- that's a scar from helping with some yard work, a few years back. This is where I reach the limits of what I can pen, myself. Gah, t-shirt tear. I think it makes me look kinda cool, but having it my entire life tends to skew my perception of it.

I have always thought of my birthmark as my barrier against unaccepting people, if someone is going to say something mean about how I look, they are not the kind of people I need in my life, it also says more about them than it does about you. I feel so grateful for how I look now and that the many opportunities it has given me. It has taught me to be myself and the right people will love me for me. No point in hiding yourself from the world! Just be you! Real girls are never perfect and perfect girls are not real. 

"Never stop yourself from being who you want to be because of other people's judgements. I sure wouldn’t be the person I am today if I had “normal” skin."

It’s a birthmark - More specifically a port wine stain, and I’ve had it my entire life since the day I was born. It covers part of my back, entire shoulder, inside arm, & hand. Basically like a tattoo sleeve (but no pain!) And get this: it actually changes colors based on whether I’m cold or hot (purple/blue or bright red). Literally like my own built in temperature gauge HA. My arm has honestly been one of my BIGGEST insecurities. People still stare at it all the time (wish I was kidding.. but I’m not), I’ve been made fun of. whispered about, side-eyed.. you name it. You know, it’s hard to be different in a world that celebrates perfection & fitting in. But then again, it’s helped me see that beauty IS so much more than skin deep. The things that make us different are what make us HUMAN. And INTERESTING! How someone looks shouldn’t affect how we see them as a person. Unique, relatable, & interesting people are my kind of people

I looked into the mirror today and really felt the beauty of my birthmark( I will always be a full glam girly but these two things are not mutually exclusive). I felt empowered by the message of self love, confidence, and embracing unique beauty that I can spread to others who may not feel that quite yet. I know how painful that place can be and I see the hurt and insecurity in the comments I get everyday. We have all had to persevere through some sort of storm to get to where and who we are today. “Turn your pain into your platform for your purpose”. Our pastor gave a sermon yesterday about coming into your God-given Purpose.

Having one is difficult, the stares, insults/ignorant questions, depression, embarrassment, very painful surgeries, and not being confident. I finally have self-love and cannot imagine myself without it, I love mine. If you have a birthmark, just know it is so unique and special.

I was born with this undeveloped outer skin and I’ve always been insecure when I was a teenager. Then, when I became an adult, I’ve realized my nails should make up for it. Also, it’s my first time getting this color and I’m loving it.

Yes, my hands are different colors. It’s a birthmark. And yes, I took that photo holding my phone under my chin. Yes, the gloves are different sizes. My hands and wrists are different sizes. It’s a birthmark thing.

It’s not something I’ve ever really talked about before; and it’s so funny to me every time someone gets comfortable enough with me to finally say something like, “I don’t even notice it anymore!” Today I decided that I am a woman marked by fire, passion, intensity. Sometimes I’m too hot to handle. But hey, I’ll proudly wear that label on my face so you can’t miss it.

Because of my port wine stain I’ve always felt different, unfortunately… not in a good way. I really disliked my birthmark and hated looking in the mirror. It was difficult because I didn’t know anyone who had a birthmark like mine.

I also wanted to send a message to the bullies to show them that I’m proud of my condition, and words do matter. I realised that because they said those words it made me want to push myself and help others. So in some ways, I would like to thank them for helping me love myself more!

That does not mean that I am blind to the fact that people are treated differently due to something as small as a birthmark. It’s something we experience every day. The looks and the nasty comments have become a daily aspect we are expected to just shrug off. But I am giving my life to the strive of face equality. To pave the way for future generations to ensure the children of the future ARE given equal opportunity’s and don’t have to experience the penalisation that we have been unlucky enough to experience. With that being said, I am so thankful I came across the birthmark community.

You see, this question used to be the reason i spent money on concealer and makeup since i was in 7th grade.

But now? This question is the reason i refuse to hide my birthmark’s unique beauty.

Because my port wine stain birthmark, just like everyone else’s skin, deserves to be appreciated and cared for.