This Model Refused To Have Her Birthmark Removed And We’re All Inspired

Mariana Mendes has set out to empower women in a way few other people can. The 24-year-old Brazilian was born with a large black birthmark in the middle of her face. She could have had it removed, but chose to keep it and wear it like a badge of honor instead. Mariana went for treatment, but in the end, chose to forgo the process, and her reason has us feeling super proud of her!

Mariana Is As Rare As They Come

“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,” she said. About 1 in 20,000 babies are born with large congenital melanocytic nevi, which is caused by a pre-natal mutation in the baby’s skin cells.