Model Proudly Shows Off Her Many Birthmarks After Years Of Being Bullied

By Dave Basner

March 20, 2019

Many people think birthmarks are something to hide - they cover them up with make-up or have them surgically removed - but model Yulianna Yussef isn't like that and she proudly shows off her many birthmarks in the photos she posts. The Ukrainian-Lebanese beauty has birthmarks that cover much of her skin because of a rare condition called congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN). As a kid, no one wanted to hang out with her and she was a target for bullies. She told the Daily Mirror, "It wasn't only comments, parents of other children didn't let me play with their kids because they thought that I was contagious." Because of that, Yulianna spent her days inside so she wouldn't get teased, only going out in the dark of night.

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when you're different, sometimes you don't see the millions of people who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the person who doesn't... and as long as you look for someone else to validate who you are by seeking their approval, you are setting yourself up for disaster. You have to be whole and complete in yourself. No one can give you that. You have to know who you are - what others say is irrelevant. #photo by @markusberlinghof #bareyourbirthmark #inmyskiniwin #be #unique #be #yourself #ootd #shoes #publicdesire #model #with #marks #different #professional #photographer #khaki #shoes #PDBAE

A post shared by Yulianna Yussef (@yulianna.yussef) on Sep 15, 2016 at 3:10am PDT

Yulianna said, "I was a Dalmatian, a giraffe, a cow. I was dirty and people thought that if they spoke to me my birthmarks would jump at them." It was clear that many of the reactions came from people who didn't really know what CMN was. As she grew older, Yulianna realized she had nothing to hide, but she also had a lot to teach, so she started an Instagram page featuring photos of herself and her birthmarks, educating followers about her condition. Yulianna explained, “I understood that if they all knew maybe my life and lives of the other kids and adults with CMN would be much easier."

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On my social media feed I try to post fancy photos that showcase how confident I am about my birthmarks, self acceptance and how I've learned to live with my giant Nevus. But I want to be honest with you and tell you a little bit more about how I actually physically feel and give you some more information about birthmarks. Starting with the hairs, this is a very big and annoying topic for anyone who has many birthmarks and specially a giant one😅.Sooo my back is actually fluffy 🤦🏽‍♀🐯 I can't do anything about that, and even more annoyingly, the hairs on the birthmarks all over my body are thicker and more dense than around the normal skin. We cant wax or shave them and all I have heard from doctor is that I should cut them.. wait a second..CUT them?! Now you can imagine me 🌵 ( for those who are interested I do wax around the birthmark only and that is my own personal risk and I wouldn’t ask anyone to follow my example. Also there were lots of different situations when I really hated this "fluffy stuff". For example you might try to prepare your boyfriend that you have something unusual on your back .. but how do you explain that you are like 🐿 ( fluffy)on touch?! 🤦🏽‍♀ let alone the many awkward questions you get whilst at school or on the beach... Next- The itching is so f***ing bad that it just drives you crazy! Sometimes I literally want to scratch my skin off🙇🏽‍♀ waking up at night because I can't control myself, scratching it which causes the birthmark to swells and forces me to get up and put cold compress on it. Sometimes I really feel like a 🐒. Just imagine some business meeting, of course I'm nervous, if I'm nervous it's itching a hundreds time more and my strength of will not to stretch myself 😩🔨 uuff... I am an adult I now can control myself but children no, some scratch themselves till they draw blood at night. There is no solution besides growing up and learning how to control yourself. It's a part of our "difference" and we should learn to live with this. The last one for today is Melanoma. Skin cancer. Anyone could develop skin cancer because of one birthmark. But we have a hundreds of them! 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

A post shared by Yulianna Yussef (@yulianna.yussef) on Jul 26, 2018 at 9:09am PDT

The 25-year-old stated, "I want to be happy, healthy, feel beautiful and confident and sexy in my own skin and I am now. But it’s been a long way to this.”

She clearly has many supporters, with over 100,000 people following the account.

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Victoria’s Secret showing us very beautiful women, almost perfect ones, as they say “angels”. Anyway, women around the world are buying this lingerie and they are unique. All of them have different bodies, curves, shapes, sizes, skin types... And I really think that we’re all beautiful, with our cellulite, with our stretch marks , with all the complexes that you girls think you have, but nobody else actually notice them. I love my body and I do work hard to make my body look like this. I love my skin, I love my cellulite (yes I have), I love my stretch marks ( have them as well ), I love my birthmarks. And Yes, I feel like a perfect angel with my “imperfection”. And how about you? #perfectionofmyskin #inmyskiniwin #bareyourbirthmark #beautiful #girl #bodygoas #underwear #victoriassecret #breakfast #kitchen #happy #me #motivation #inspiration #unique #different #tbt

A post shared by Yulianna Yussef (@yulianna.yussef) on Jun 10, 2018 at 9:09am PDT

Among the topics Yulianna has addressed on her page are how the birthmarks are "fluffy" and have hair on them, but they can also be very "itchy." She's also explained how her birthmarks are not treatable nor are they contagious or inherited.

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learn every day new ways to love yourself♥️ #perfectionofmyskin #inmyskiniwin #bareyourbirthmark #cmn #confidence #selfcare #selflove #beautiful #body #bodypositive #bodygoals #inspiration #motivation #lingerie #intimissimi #girl #different #love #photo #tbt #followme

A post shared by Yulianna Yussef (@yulianna.yussef) on Feb 19, 2019 at 9:12am PST

Her condition does increase her chances of getting melanoma, something she thinks about often. Yulianna revealed, "Some days I wake up in fear spending hours checking each and every birthmark, looking for any changes in color, thickness, growing spectrum, because truth is I worry, of course I do."

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I love sport and all this sportive outfits , there are so many brands now, that everyone could find something nice for themselves😍 Of course at the gym I couldn't wear just top and shorts because of small space and I don't want to make people around feel uncomfortable with me 😅 as you remember all this "jumping " thoughts 😂 And what kind of sport do you prefer more? What about tennis? Should I try 😏🏸? ( for those who curious about my skin condition, pls read my previous posts) #perfectionofmyskin #inmyskiniwin #bodypositive #inspiration #motivation #justdoit #trainlikeanangel #sport #bodygoals #beautiful #girl #travel #vacation #healthylifestyle #lifestyle #photo #photography #ocean #seaside #tbt #follow #me

A post shared by Yulianna Yussef (@yulianna.yussef) on Dec 14, 2017 at 10:06am PST

Things are going well now for Yulianna. She recently posted, "My aim has always been to show you that yes you can live a sort of normal life no matter what the condition, despite all the struggles I have faced and still do face behind the scenes."

She also said, "I love my skin, I love my cellulite (yes I have), I love my stretch marks (have them as well ), I love my birthmarks. And Yes, I feel like a perfect angel with my ‘imperfection,’ And how about you?”

You can follow Yulianna here.

Photo: Instagram/YuliannaYussef