Mum with birthmarks covering 98% of her body reveals why she still won't leave home without makeup

A mum whose birthmarks cover 98 per cent of her body has revealed how years of cruel stares and questions from strangers still leave her unable to leave the house without makeup.

Laura Kelly, 28, from Draperstown, County Derry, was born with a rare condition called Congenital Melanocytic Naevus (CMN), which causes large moles to develop on the skin.

She spent her first three months in hospital and underwent 14 operations before her first birthday. Despite building a career as a trainee solicitor, raising her three-year-old son Freddie and preparing to marry fiancé Mark, Laura admits she continues to struggle with her appearance.

She can spend hours covering her birthmarks before taking Freddie to school, using prescribed products to protect her sensitive skin.

“I won't leave the house with no makeup on,” she said.

“I won't go into a shop. I won't drop my child off at school. None of that.”

Laura said strangers had regularly stared, pointed and whispered about her appearance throughout her childhood, with some approaching her to ask what was wrong with her.

Although she grew up in the close-knit community of Draperstown, where people knew her and her condition, travelling further afield often brought unwanted attention.

She said the experience had a profound effect on her confidence during her teenage years, when she covered herself from head to toe in makeup because she did not want anyone to see her birthmarks.

Her early childhood was dominated by medical treatment, with plaster casts covering her body.

“My first proper bath was Christmas Eve 1998 – nine months after I was born,” she said.

Laura added that her parents had been told she might not live beyond the age of eight.

But she credits their determination to let her live as normal a life as possible with helping her develop resilience.

Now a mum herself, she says her fiancé and young son have played a major role in helping her gradually accept her appearance.

However, managing her condition remains physically challenging. Her skin can become extremely dry, flaky and painful, while removing makeup can leave her cheeks burning.

Laura also attends regular dermatology appointments because CMN can increase the risk of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. She carefully monitors her birthmarks for changes and says new ones have continued to appear.

This year has marked a turning point, with Laura beginning to share her experiences on social media and connecting with others through the charity Caring Matters Now, which supports people affected by CMN.

She said meeting others with the condition had helped her realise she was not alone.

“Being different is unique and being unique is better than being perfect,” she said.

Laura hopes speaking openly will raise awareness and help others with visible differences feel less isolated.

“I am so grateful I have started to share my story,” she said. “The world is kinder than I thought, and I've had opportunities I never imagined.”

Although she is still working towards fully embracing her appearance, Laura hopes her journey will encourage others to see themselves differently.

“I hope someday I will fully embrace the skin that I'm in.”