PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

 Albinism is the complete or partial absence of melanin in the body. It can affect eyes, skin, hair color. Albinism affects people of all countries and continents, its frequency worldwide is estimated to be approximately one in 17,000.

 Today, albinism has become a rather aestheticized topic — albino models are in great demand, for some, such an appearance is akin to a fetish. But, nevertheless, it is important to understand that albinism is a genetic mutation that entails a number of serious health restrictions.

PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

For example, direct sunlight is strictly contraindicated for me. Sunburn is the least you can pay. The risk of skin cancer among albinos is incredibly high.

Like all people with albinism, I have poor eyesight and photophobia. Due to vision problems, serious physical activity, weightlifting, etc. are also contraindicated for me.

Albinism does not particularly interfere with my life, especially in Russian realities. In Russia, with the exception of the summer period, there is not so much sun to put my health at significant risk.

PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

I am extremely happy that I was not born in an African country — the local population is mired in myths and superstitions about albinos. There is a real hunt for albinos and their body parts. Despite the fact that, due to the prevalence of incestuous unions, albinos are found there 5 times more often than in other parts of the world. There is a popular belief in Zimbabwe that raping an albino woman cures AIDS. Or you might be killed for some kind of fertility talisman. At the same time, people know precious little about albinism — for instance, that albinos need to protect themselves from the sun. And those who do know just cannot afford it because of widespread poverty and the inability to get a cream with a high level of SPF.

PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

Therefore, skin cancer in its most advanced forms is extremely common there. In order to save albinos, entire closed boarding schools are being created, beyond the walls of which they cannot (and do not want) to go out for their own safety.

In my case, I just have to regularly answer questions like why I dye my hair and whether I’m tired of it.

It is quite possible to live with it.

HEROES

PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

KATE SUVOROVA

Goldenhar syndrome
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

SVETA “FIREGIRL”

IV-degree burn
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

DIANA PASTUHOVA

melanoma
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

ANNA BORTNIKOVA

alopecia
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

CATE KOMLEVA

30% body burns
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

CATE SAZHINA

tapetoretinal abiotrophy
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

ANASTASIA SELYAEVA

oncology
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

DMITRY KOZEMASLOV

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

MAX ZYABLICEV

spinal cord injury
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

SONYA MOSINA

cerebral palsy
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

ANNA SANNIKOVA

heterochromia
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

NIKOLAY SCHETININ

spinal cord injury
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

CATE TIMOFEEVA

spinal cord injury
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

ANASTASIA LENKOVA

rheumatoid arthritis
PAVEL LESNIKOV. INNER BEAUTY

ANTON MAMONTOV

amputated legs
EN