UNDER THEIR SKIN, a novel by Dinah Lee Küng, came out a year or two ago and features a heroine with a birthmark on her face going for laser treatment in Geneva. A lovely story that brought home to this reader the psychology that sometimes comes with such marks--pro and con.

Clarence, Liverpool, UK

Unfortunately having a birth mark makes you look different from the outset, worse than glasses or red hair because children know what those things are but have no idea about birthmarks. Girls who managed to shrug off having one are rare. To illustrate, I had two grandmothers one who wouldn't look at it and would declare that it certainly didn't come from her side of the family and the other who said it made me me. My mother dragged me off to Great Ormond Street reguarly (why?) when I was young and I had some sort of painting going on. Then I got covermark to conceal it which was okish but got all over my clothes (and my husband's). Finally I had laser treatment which has helped a bit but my ear was just too painful. It's a very long long road!

Bethanne, Bicester, UK

When my daughter was born 30 years ago Great Ormond Street had a longitudinal research program into CMN. For years we sent information and filled in forms but despite trying to get information from this research, none has been available. I am very interested to read the findings from this research so if anyone knows where it is located I would appreciate the information.

Robyne, Brighton, UK

I have a coffee colored birth mark above my left eyebrown its about dime shaped size, its been in that place since I was younger. I've never been bothered by friends or anything by it. Even if I had the choice to get rid of it, I wouldn't. God obviously placed it there for a reason, and I'm sorta proud of it now.

Don't be embarassed of something so small people. Mine is in a very ovbious place, you CANNOT miss it. Love your body for what you have, not what you wish you had.

Ryan, Phoenix,

Only 1 percent of people have birthmarks. Okay, in our family, if there is no birthmark, then you’re on the outer. Our grandfather had a port wine birthmark on the right side of his face. As it was getting bigger as he grew it was removed during the early 1900’s by ‘bleeding’ the birthmark. His sons both still have their stork marks at the back of the neck. As do all of their children. We are all in our later 30’s and 40’s now. But we still get told we have a ‘rash’ at the back our necks.
All my five children all have stork marks and well as brown birthmarks on the right side of their bodies. (I have one on my right leg). My cousins only have the stork marks. Also my oldest son has an unformed third nipple on the left. Great conversation piece at family parties.
I guess because the family is the same, we don’t realise that we are different. So it really doesn’t bother us, as we tend to make jokes out of whose birthmark looks like what.

Tracy, Townsville, Australia

Wonderful, well-written article, with that wry sense of humour many of us with our natural tattoos seem to develop.

We've actually featured Gerard Manley Hopkin's poem on our non-profit's homepage for many years. Come visit.

ybb, (Your Birthmark Buddy)

Michael Steffano
Executive Director
Birthmarks.com
www.Birthmarks.com

Michael Steffano, Austin, TX

Sadly my large brown mole on my left leg that I shave regularly has given me nothing but embarrassment. How many times do you have to hear "EEWWW, what's that!?" before you resign yourself to never wearing short shorts or never looking anyone in the eye when you hit the beach in a bathing suit?

I've tried and failed to feel good about being this different -- not special -- different, ugly, broken. And I am broken. God decided that long ago by giving me various chronic diseases to endure. My mole points out daily just how ridiculously far away I am from flawless beauty and flawless health.

And yes, I had considered surgery, but doctors warn me that it would leave a very large, very deep depression in my leg.

I don't know how others manage to rejoice over their moles.

Robin, Los Angeles, USA

I have a dark brown oval-shaped birth mark on the back of my right shoulder (in the corner of my back). It's just a little less than 3cm (wide) x 4cm (long), which is really quite large and noticeable. I have never been self conscious about it, probably because it's not in an awkward place.

Usually, I don't even remember it's there until somebody brings it up, in which case I proudly show it off. Well, not really show it off, but I'm not embarrassed by it - I think it's unique!

Lots of people get tattoos in that area of their body, and it's like I already have one! :) I have never considered removing it and I probably never will - it's not ugly nor does it cause me any trouble. I don't find the area particularly sensitive, it has never changed colour or become irritated, so I see no reason to get rid of it!

Thanks for this great article by the way.

Kas, QLD, Australia

I have alwasy felt very self concious of my port wine stain on my neck but managed to live with it, alwasy wearing high necked dresses, collars or scarves.
Until I found laser treatment, which opened up my world! After two years treatment it is now pale pink instead of deep purple. I feel so confident that I know wear strappy tops, low cut necklines and dont give a damn.
I would recommend anyone who has the same problem to go for it. The cost is immaterial for the freedom and confidence it gives

judy roose, plymouth, devon

I have a brown speckled arrowhead-shaped birthmark on my left hip. I have always felt a little self-conscious about it while wearing a bikini, but after a few minutes, I usually forget about it. It was great to read your article and find that only 1% of people have them. I feel more special now, and less embarrassed about showing it off in the sun.

Misty, Newport Beach, CA

Our daughter is 13. She had a birthmark in the middle of her forehead. We opted to have it removed last year. I think if it was any other place...it probably would not be a big deal. However, other kids would call her "Dot Head" and such.

I recall when she was born, the pediatrician said it would disappear over time. But that never seemed to happen. I work in a hospital and a plastic surgeon took care of removing it.

You would hardly know it was there. He also mentioned that if she had kept it and when she got older, may develop into a melanoma.

I think we made the right choice to get rid of it.

Bruce L, Nashua, NH

I used to feel really self-conscious about my birthmark. I wanted to have it removed - but changed my mind when the doctor told me that I would be left with a scar that was twice as long. Then I came across an organisation called Changing Faces which really helped - www.changingfaces.org.uk, I spoke to someone who gave me practical tips which helped me deal with other people's reactions & really boosted my self-esteem and self-confidence. I've learnt that it's other people's attitudes that are the problem, not my birthmark, so I'm not going to remove it.

Sarah, London,

i have a heart shaped birthmark on the inside of my wrist. It has got fainter over the years but the ladies seem to find it cute.

Chris , Amsterdam, The Netherlands

I've lived with port-wine stain engulfing my entire right arm my entire life. Truthfully, it'd look strange for my to see two white hands typing away right now. lol I love my birthmark as you do and wouldn't change it to save the world. :) (It was always easy being patriotic in the U.S., as I only needed to wear bluejeans.)

I also love how it turns from crimson to purple when I get cold and blood goes to heat my internal organs! :)

Tim W., Leesburg, VA

For more information about congenital melanocytic naevi (CMN) contact caringmattersnow.com (CMN) support group. I was at a family support day yesterday in Cambridge and the atmosphere was so supportive and poitive. Caring Matters Now are trying to raise £30,000 to fund Dr Veronica Kinsler's (Great Ormond Street) research into this condition and are in urgent need of more funds. If you think you can help please get in touch.

Judy in North Wales

Judy Sealey, Mold, Flintshire

I have a large port wine stain on the side of my head and neck (I can't remember which side!) and it has never bothered me at all.

I have grown proud of my obvious mark of individuality and would never consider having it removed or covering it up.

People may stare but if they don't like what they see then that is there problem, nothing wrong with me.

Celebrate your differences and the world will be a better place.

Richard, Melbourne, Australia

I am glad that Hannah is on such good terms with her birthmark, I wish I was. I have two large port-wine stain birthmarks on my forearm and hand; in summer or when I am upset or stressed they become a violent, angry-looking purple-red. This tends to put me off wearing short sleeves (covering them with makeup doesn't work). They bring forth curiosity at best and revulsion/pity at worst among others and I am seriously considering laser removal, so that I can just be me without them.

Catherine , Cambridge,