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Girl Who Was Told That Her Rare Birthmark Looks Ugly Chose Not To Remove It, And Here’s Why
24-year-old Mariana Mendes from Brazil was born with a birthmark that covers a large part of her face, but that didn’t stop her from modeling for a stunning photo shoot recently in order to make a powerful statement about what it means to be beautiful.
The birthmark, which covers part of her nose, her right eye, and her right cheek, is called congenital melanocytic nevus, and it’s estimated to affect just one in every 20,000 babies. It’s caused by an increased amount of pigment beneath the skin, which makes the affected area look darker as a result. Mariana underwent laser surgery treatments when she was just five years old in order to reduce the nevus because her mother was afraid she’d be bullied for it, but as you can see below, the stylist assistant from Juiz de Fora couldn’t be more proud of being different.
“I feel more beautiful and totally different from other people because I have a nevus,” said Mariana. “There are many people who stare and who don’t like it, but I don’t care. I have been told by a few people that it’s “ugly” or “strange”, but it doesn’t bother me. That’s just their opinion and I think it’s beautiful. A lot of people ask me about my birthmark, sometimes they think it’s makeup or a tattoo but I don’t mind and explain it to them. I’m proud of having a nevus, it’s a part of who I am and how I learn to like myself.”
RELATED:
Mariana Mendes from Brazil was born with a birthmark that covers a large part of her face
It’s called congenital melanocytic nevus, and it’s estimated to affect just 1 in every 20,000 babies
Mariana’s mother was scared she’d be bullied for it, so she had laser surgery when she was five
The surgery didn’t have much of an effect, but Mariana is glad
“I feel more beautiful and totally different from other people because I have a nevus,” she said
“I have been told by a few people that it’s “ugly” or “strange”, but it doesn’t bother me”
“I don’t get upset if a person doesn’t like my nevus, to me it’s like any other part of my body”
“I’m proud of having a nevus, it’s a part of who I am and how I learned to like myself”
“I will never be ashamed of my nevus and feel good having it”
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Brigitte 8 years ago
Ok, I'll be honest. To everybody here who's saying: She's beautiful, stunning, hot etc - You're right. But her birthmark is awful. I'm very glad that I don't have a nevus and I'm pretty sure you all are too. I hate that she was bullied but I don't feel sorry for this girl because (it seems like) she loves herself just the way she is... and that's the real beauty here.
D Rolls 8 years ago
I mean, I think it looks cool on her. The birthmark makes me think like it's her, the queen's, war paint.
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Patrick Davies 8 years ago
As a man born with a significant size mole on his face, I have to say that I feel for her. She is beautiful, but at the same time I know the bullying that I went through, simply for my most superficial appearance, and I can only imagine what she had to put up with. There are a lot of people who say "She's hot" etc, but I think that what has happened is that we've missed the important part of who she actually is as a person, and focused on the transient physical appearances as defining a person. By defining her as an attractive person despite her nevus, it's the same as saying that she's only important for her physical beauty, rather then the personality, or the mind that lays beneath.
Apollo 8 years ago
Wow, it gives her a very mysterious beauty. Often we will say someone is beautiful as he/she is, because in fact we pity them and we feel bad that society rejects them. But in this case the birthmark is certainly adding something to her beauty so no reason to make a compliment just to empathize.
Leah Forgy 8 years ago
She is a beautiful young lady; however, if she was unattractive she would not have such an easy time of having that on her face. People are mean.
Jim Provencher 8 years ago
Leah, You're correct, she's beautiful in spite of the birthmark, unfortunately many people afflicted with the same thing are not so lucky.
Load More Replies...
Silent Skeleton 8 years ago
Honestly, the birthmark is hella rad and complements her face and hair :o)
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 8 years ago
By saying "it" you mean her birthmark, don't you? Cause people might think you're calling her "It"
Load More Replies...
Brigitte 8 years ago
Ok, I'll be honest. To everybody here who's saying: She's beautiful, stunning, hot etc - You're right. But her birthmark is awful. I'm very glad that I don't have a nevus and I'm pretty sure you all are too. I hate that she was bullied but I don't feel sorry for this girl because (it seems like) she loves herself just the way she is... and that's the real beauty here.
D Rolls 8 years ago
I mean, I think it looks cool on her. The birthmark makes me think like it's her, the queen's, war paint.
Load More Replies... Patrick Davies 8 years ago
As a man born with a significant size mole on his face, I have to say that I feel for her. She is beautiful, but at the same time I know the bullying that I went through, simply for my most superficial appearance, and I can only imagine what she had to put up with. There are a lot of people who say "She's hot" etc, but I think that what has happened is that we've missed the important part of who she actually is as a person, and focused on the transient physical appearances as defining a person. By defining her as an attractive person despite her nevus, it's the same as saying that she's only important for her physical beauty, rather then the personality, or the mind that lays beneath.
Apollo 8 years ago
Wow, it gives her a very mysterious beauty. Often we will say someone is beautiful as he/she is, because in fact we pity them and we feel bad that society rejects them. But in this case the birthmark is certainly adding something to her beauty so no reason to make a compliment just to empathize.
Leah Forgy 8 years ago
She is a beautiful young lady; however, if she was unattractive she would not have such an easy time of having that on her face. People are mean.
Jim Provencher 8 years ago
Leah, You're correct, she's beautiful in spite of the birthmark, unfortunately many people afflicted with the same thing are not so lucky.
Load More Replies... Silent Skeleton 8 years ago
Honestly, the birthmark is hella rad and complements her face and hair :o)
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 8 years ago
By saying "it" you mean her birthmark, don't you? Cause people might think you're calling her "It"
Load More Replies...
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