These Amazing Women are Coming Forward About Their Rare Skin Conditions

Bringing a whole new meaning to #NoMakeup selfies.

08 March, 2018
These Amazing Women are Coming Forward About Their Rare Skin Conditions

Bringing a whole new meaning to #NoMakeup selfies.

Lexxie Harford

From "undateable" to Internet sensation: The 23-year-old British artist posted a few selfies on Imgur, which have already gone viral and received multitudes of comments in praise of her bravery. Harford said she was once scouted for the reality shows Undateables and Too Ugly for Love? but declined because she would rather people with birthmarks accept themselves and "see themselves differently."

"I'm absolutely not self conscious about it at all," she wrote on Imgur. "I actually like it a lot."

1Lexxie Harford

From "undateable" to Internet sensation: The 23-year-old British artist posted a few selfies on Imgur, which have already gone viral and received multitudes of comments in praise of her bravery. Harford said she was once scouted for the reality shows Undateables and Too Ugly for Love? but declined because she would rather people with birthmarks accept themselves and "see themselves differently."

"I'm absolutely not self conscious about it at all," she wrote on Imgur. "I actually like it a lot."

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Redditor NotWhatYouPlanted

After concealing a scar on her torso — the result of undergoing four open-heart surgeries — for years, Reddit user NotWhatYouPlanted decided to celebrate it by wearing a two-piece swimsuit to the beach. "I am so proud that I finally felt confident enough to wear a bikini instead of hiding my scar," she wrote.

2Redditor NotWhatYouPlanted

After concealing a scar on her torso — the result of undergoing four open-heart surgeries — for years, Reddit user NotWhatYouPlanted decided to celebrate it by wearing a two-piece swimsuit to the beach. "I am so proud that I finally felt confident enough to wear a bikini instead of hiding my scar," she wrote.

Giorgia Lanuzza

For over a decade, 24-year-old Lanuzza has suffered from psoriasis, a skin condition that causes red, raised patches to cover 97% of her body. While it was hard to come to terms with at first, she now views it as a blessing in disguise. "After all these years I finally have confidence in my own skin I want to show other women that their 'abnormalities' could be their strengths," she told the Daily Mail.

3Giorgia Lanuzza

For over a decade, 24-year-old Lanuzza has suffered from psoriasis, a skin condition that causes red, raised patches to cover 97% of her body. While it was hard to come to terms with at first, she now views it as a blessing in disguise. "After all these years I finally have confidence in my own skin I want to show other women that their 'abnormalities' could be their strengths," she told the Daily Mail.

Winnie Harlow

Revitalising the supermodel landscape as we know it, 21-year-old Harlow has vitiligo, a disease that causes the loss of skin color on portions of the skin. As a teenager, Harlow was serendipitously spotted by Tyra Banks, who encouraged her to audition for America's Next Top Model. She did — and placed sixth. Since then, she has starred in numerous fashion campaigns, magazine spreads, and Eminem and Sia's music video for "Guts Over Fear."

4Winnie Harlow

Revitalising the supermodel landscape as we know it, 21-year-old Harlow has vitiligo, a disease that causes the loss of skin color on portions of the skin. As a teenager, Harlow was serendipitously spotted by Tyra Banks, who encouraged her to audition for America's Next Top Model. She did — and placed sixth. Since then, she has starred in numerous fashion campaigns, magazine spreads, and Eminem and Sia's music video for "Guts Over Fear."

Lisa Goodman-Helfand

After 30 years of concealing her face from the world, writer Goodman-Helfand took off her makeup and shared an eye-opening, bare-faced selfie that showcases her symptoms of scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease that causes a hardening of the skin. When Facebook refused to post the photo due to "negative feedback," the Internet fought back, and an awareness campaign,

5Lisa Goodman-Helfand

After 30 years of concealing her face from the world, writer Goodman-Helfand took off her makeup and shared an eye-opening, bare-faced selfie that showcases her symptoms of scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease that causes a hardening of the skin. When Facebook refused to post the photo due to "negative feedback," the Internet fought back, and an awareness campaign,

Ciera Swaringen
SclerodermaSelfies, was launched. To learn more about how you can participate in the initiative, visit Goodman-Helfand's blog Comfortable In My Thick Skin.

6Ciera SwaringenSclerodermaSelfies, was launched. To learn more about how you can participate in the initiative, visit Goodman-Helfand's blog Comfortable In My Thick Skin.

Mui Thomas

Nineteen-year-old Swaringen was born with a condition called giant congenital melanocytic nevus, which causes mole-like birthmarks to cover 70% of her body. While the spots are harmless, Swaringen was bullied for it throughout her childhood. But instead of letting the negativity get to her, she's opted to show off her natural beauty, posting pictures of herself in body-baring clothes without being the least bit self-conscious.

7Mui Thomas

Nineteen-year-old Swaringen was born with a condition called giant congenital melanocytic nevus, which causes mole-like birthmarks to cover 70% of her body. While the spots are harmless, Swaringen was bullied for it throughout her childhood. But instead of letting the negativity get to her, she's opted to show off her natural beauty, posting pictures of herself in body-baring clothes without being the least bit self-conscious.

Tiffany Posteraro

Thomas, 22, suffers from harlequin ichthyosis, a rare genetic condition that leaves her skin raw, thick, scale-like, and prone to infection. Despite the hurdles of her condition, Thomas has dedicated her time to speaking at schools, raising awareness about living with a "visible difference" and discouraging bullying.

8Tiffany Posteraro

Thomas, 22, suffers from harlequin ichthyosis, a rare genetic condition that leaves her skin raw, thick, scale-like, and prone to infection. Despite the hurdles of her condition, Thomas has dedicated her time to speaking at schools, raising awareness about living with a "visible difference" and discouraging bullying.

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