BEAUTY MARKS
A BODY-positive woman has shared her pride in her unique form despite being criticized for her cellulite.
She said she won't let those who troll her skin get her down, saying she doesn't plan on hiding away.
3
3
Karina Irby (@karinairby) shared her experience getting a pedicure in a reel on Instagram.
"So I've got lumps, bumps, and scars, like I get it. I look different. But this lady just looked at me like I was a pure disease," she said of the nail tech.
"I feel like my legs aren't even that bad, I know they have scars and bumps, but I'm not a walking disease," she continued.
In the caption of the reel, she went on to discuss the reason behind her desire to spread the word about cellulite.
"This is the exact reason why I talk about my skin conditions so much. Because it needs to be normalized," she said.
"Growing up, parents would call the school and ask that their child were to not sit next to me in class or play with me on lunch with concerns I was contagious.
"When I was a dancer. I was made to wear skin-colored stockings so my legs looked like everyone else's.
"At school camps, teachers wouldn’t allow other kids to borrow my sunscreen in case it was infected. It took me years to overcome trauma like this.
Most read in Health And Fitness
"All to be bought back up to the surface because of a pedicure. People with skin conditions aren't contagious, riddled with disease, and to be locked away in a tower.
"We're just like everyone else. Our skin isn't our entire identity," she added.
The reel drew in many viewers who shared their thoughts on the matter.
"Oh gorgeous I’m so sorry this happened. Sending love. Don’t let it stop you, you’re more than your conditions," one wrote.
"I’m so sorry this happened to you babe. I love you," another added.
"When I went in with a psoriasis flare up I felt like I had to immediately justify myself," a third commented.
3