I stopped covering the birthmark on my face

Dear Delyara, I have a dark red birthmark across my left cheek. From age twelve, I used heavy concealer every day. I learned how to blend it in train toilets, office bathrooms, and cars. During the pandemic, masks gave me relief; afterward, removing them felt like becoming exposed twice. Last year, a dermatologist told me further laser treatment might lighten the mark but would not erase it. I realised I had spent twenty years waiting to begin life after my face was corrected. I began going without makeup in small places: first at home, then the corner shop, then lunch with a friend. Today, I attended work without covering it. A colleague looked twice, then continued discussing the meeting. Another asked whether I had injured myself, and I calmly explained. By noon, everyone had adjusted except me. I kept catching my reflection and feeling shock, followed by relief. Self-love did not feel like suddenly finding the mark beautiful. It felt like allowing my face to exist without completing an hour of apology before leaving the house.