This article was originally published on RightLivin
Everyone is given their very own set of genetics at birth that determines how they look. Besides external surgeries, there usually isn't too much that can be done to change your genetics. Some people are born with a very unique set of genes that causes them to stand out from everyone else around them. Whether you see your differences as a blessing or a curse, you're sure to appreciate this list of stunning genetic rarities that show you how surprising your genes can be.
Poliosis Runs in the Family
Have you ever heard of Poliosis? It is also known as poliosis circumscripta and it is a unique genetic condition that causes a prominent white streak in the hair (which is normally a different, darker color). This mother passed down her unique genetic condition to her child, as you can see in this picture. They are both rocking dark brownish black hair with a bright white streak in the middle.
It's hard not to think of Cruella Deville from 101 Dalmations when you see this hair color. But it is a shame that this hair was pinned on a villain- It is both unique and beautiful!
The Sunflower Eye
Everyone knows the common phrase "the eyes are the windows of the soul". Imagine being told by a doctor that you have the "weirdest eyes he has ever seen". This was exactly the case for this woman who has this remarkable sunflower and web-like design on her eyes. Not only are her eyes a very unique color (it's not every day that you see yellow-tinted eyes), but they are also a very unique design.
This just goes to show that there is no limit to the uniqueness of people out there. Just when you thought there were only a few eye colors, you are presented with this.
Vitiligo And Heterochromia Together
In case you ever doubted that each and every person is incredibly unique, here is the proof. This man was born with both vitiligo and heterochromia. Vitiligo is a condition where white patches develop all over the skin due to a lack of melanin, the skin pigment. Heterochromia means that one person has two different colored eyes. This man has a combination of white patches on his skin and brown and blue eyes.
He truly has one of the most unique looks in the world. If you met him once, you most likely won't be forgetting this face anytime soon. He is very easily recognizable.
He Met His Bifid Thumb Twin
There is only a 1 in 1000 chance that someone will be born with a bifid thumb, also known as pre-axial polydactyly. This man could not have been more shocked to get a delivery from an Uber delivery guy and see, as he handed over the bag, that they had the exact same condition. The likelihood of this is so rare that it must have been a pretty exciting moment.
Although the chances are technically 1 in 1000, it seems like they would be much less, taking everything into consideration, especially when you think of all the people who had surgery already to fix it.
A Face With Heterochromia
Although she is not the only one with heterochromia, this rare condition will not cease to surprise and make us gasp with disbelief. Just as everyone loves a husky with heterochromia, who wouldn't love and appreciate a person with it? This woman's eye color already seems quite rare, and then add in that her eyes are two different shades of the same color and you are in for a true genetic wonder.
Both of her eyes individually almost look unreal with their coloring. The left eye is almost a reddish brown while the right eye is a greenish yellow. The combination is stunning.
The Big Eyes of Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome
Big eyes are generally considered a good thing as they are often a sign of beauty. This young girl was born with extremely big eyes as a result of Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome. According to her parents, people are eager to compliment her in public and they never know quite how to respond. Should they tell the admirers that it is actually a defect or should they just embrace the constant influx of compliments for their daughter?
This condition is extremely rare and all her parents want is for their daughter to grow up knowing how beautiful she is, despite her defect.
Vitiligo Across the Face
Vitiligo is much more common than people would think. This disease causes white patches of skin across the body due to a lack of melanin, the skin pigment. As can be seen on this man's face, only parts of the skin are lacking melanin, leaving him with a unique patchwork look. Sometimes the color of the hair is also affected as can be seen by the white patches in his beard.
Some people might be embarrassed by this disease, but it actually can enhance a person's beauty. Many models are starting to appear that have vitiligo and their embracement of it has only helped them in their careers.
Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome - Rapidly Aging Children
Some people's worst fear in life is to prematurely age. Many people do just about everything in their power, including surgery to slow down the aging process. Little did they know that there is a syndrome, known as Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome or Neonatal Progeria that actually causes young babies to prematurely age very rapidly. Within the first two years of their lives, they can age to the point of appearing to be elderly.
Sadly, their bodies age extremely rapidly, not at the same pace as their brains and they are often just a few years old dealing with arthritis and dementia, and often death at a very young age.
A Map Around the Vitiligo Spots
Vitiligo, as can be seen from this list alone, is actually fairly common. It affects between 0.5 to 1% of people around the world. Although some people are embarrassed by the lack of color or discoloration on portions of their skin, others have chosen to embrace and love it. This person decided to draw and outline their vitiligo marks, giving themselves an exotic and stunning giraffe-like look on their hands.
That is one way to deal with a disease. Instead of trying to hide it, try to highlight it. Show the world that you are not ashamed, but rather very proud of who you are.
A Picture of Sectoral Heterochromia
Heterochromia has already been covered a few times by some remarkable sets of eyes, however, did you know that it is possible to have partial heterochromia? To explain exactly what that means, instead of having two different colored eyes, you have two colors in one eye. This can lead to a very stunning look, as can be seen in the picture, of a bright blue and green combined in one eye.
It is usually divided in the middle or pretty evenly across the eye. The color distinction is also very clear and impossible to miss.
Unable to Produce Collagen With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Collagen is a popular word in the beauty world these days. Everyone is recommending some sort of collagen supplement to help boost the appearance of the skin and reduce wrinkling. Everyone is trying to look younger and they think collagen can help. However, there are some people in the world who have some known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) which is a disorder of the connective tissue that inhibits the body's ability to produce collagen.
People with this disorder find that they will wrinkle prematurely and their skin will lose its natural elasticity. Maybe there is some truth to the whole collagen craze and obsession!
The Most Unique Birthmark
People have all sorts of birthmarks. Sometimes they are hidden in hardly seen parts of the body and other times they are right, smack dab on someone's face. Everyone is familiar with the small beauty marks that are usually loved, but have you ever seen a stunning birthmark like this one before? This young boy has a very unique birthmark right across his face and directly across one of his eyes.
This is really a unique birthmark and it's a guarantee that no one else has one just like it. This boy will grow up knowing that he has a very cool and unique look.
Naturally Pointed Ears
Have you ever dressed up like an elf for Halloween and had to purchase pointy ears to complete the look? Well, someone born with Williams Syndrome would never have to purchase those ears as they are born with naturally pointed ears. This is a very unique genetic disorder that affects mostly the ears but can also affect other parts of the body such as the lips, jaw, nose, and cheeks.
Although they may be thrilled about the prospect of never having to buy pointy ears for a Halloween costume, it must also be difficult to deal with confused looks from people.
The Birthmark That Gave Hair Highlights
Everyone is born with their own unique intricacies that make them unique. Some people have sharp features while others have soft features. Hair color, eye color, and so much more are decided from birth. This baby was born with a very unique birthmark that actually also gave her a stripe of highlights in her hair. At first glance, it might look like she dyed a portion of her hair, but it all natural.
People would spend a lot of money at a hairdresser's trying to achieve this look and this baby is doing it effortlessly. Hopefully, she will appreciate how cool this is when she grows up!
Born With Anonychia and No Fingernails
Although you might think that fingernails are a natural part of the body that everyone is born with, that is not necessarily the case. People who are born with Anonychia actually do not have fingernails and cannot grow them. In case you were wondering why people even have fingernails and if we could do without them, it looks like the answer to that question technically is yes! People can survive without fingernails.
Things might get a bit more complicated when it comes to toenails though. Imagine how painful stubbing your pinkie toe would be without the protection of a little toenail.
Yellow Fingertips From Raynaud’s Disease
Hands and feet are usually the first parts of the body to feel the effects of the cold. They say if you keep your extremities warm, then you will probably survive a lot longer in the cold. However, some people are born with a condition called Raynaud’s Disease which causes their extremities (hands, feet, limbs) to be extremely sensitive to the cold and unable to regulate themselves. As a result, they turn yellow or blue.
Although this looks very scary and almost irreversible, fortunately, once the fingers are warmed up the natural color returns and they are as good as new.
White Eyelashes With Vitiligo
You have seen the many ways that vitiligo can affect a person and their skin. Although it normally appears as patches of skin that are lighter in color and lacking melanin, it can also apply to a person's hair. This man was born with vitiligo and, as a result, almost half of his facial hair is white. That includes his eyebrows and eyelashes, giving him a very unique and interesting look.
It almost looks like his eyelashes are laced with snow. It seems like a cool makeup effect for Halloween, only for him it is natural.
Waardenburg Syndrome and Wide Set Eyes
Eyes have been the topic of conversation for many of the items on this list so far. There has been heterochromia and oversized eyes, but here you can see that there is also a unique genetic condition called Waardenburg Syndrome that causes a person to be born with very wide set eyes. This is exactly the case for Stef Sanjati who is even more beautiful as a result of her very unique look.
This syndrome can also result in a person having very, very bright blue eyes, as can be seen for Stef as well. There is no missing those stunning peepers.
Double Split Colored Eyes
And here you have another person with a very unique and stunning eye condition. This man was born with two colors in his eyes. Instead of the typical heterochromia where each eye has its own color, for him, it's split right down the middle. Half of his eye is green and the other half is blue. The blue and green colors are also very bright, making his entire look even more striking.
He almost looks like he came right out of a novel. All of his features are quite stunning, even ignoring the unique situation with his eye color!
Twin Girls With Achondroplasia
Besides being adorable, these two twin girls (who also like to match apparently) were born with something called Achondroplasia. Achondroplasia is a genetic disorder that causes a very large head and shorter arms and legs. It can also cause a person to be rather short and have a prominent nose and a flat nasal bridge. At first glance, you might not even notice anything different from these girls and other children, but it might become more evident as they grow up.
These girls are adorable in their matching outfits with or without their unique genetic condition.
Dermatographia and Scratch Scars
At first glance, you might think that this is a strange sort of tattoo or branding mark that someone put on their arm. However, looks can be deceiving. This is actually the result of a very unique condition called Dermatographia. Someone who has Dermatographia has skin that is very sensitive to scratches. Any little scratch can cause raised, red lines that last for a long period of time and are hard to get rid of.
This might be a cool trick to pull out and show people, but it also must be very frustrating to have this reaction every time you get the tiniest little scratch.
Extremely Long Arms
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to have extremely long arms? Although the general rule is that your arms from tip to tip are the same as your height, there are some people where this is not the case. Some people are born with extremely long arms, without proportion to the rest of their bodies. Although this may make it nice for giving good hugs and reaching things, it can probably be quite frustrating too.
It is probably very difficult to buy clothes that fit properly. You might be a size small but need an extra large just because of the length of your arms. They make long pants but not usually long sweaters.
Brown Patches on the Skin From Congenital Melanocytic Nevus
Vitiligo was covered quite extensively on this list so far but Congenital Melanocytic Nevus is almost the (appearance-wise) opposite of that. Congenital Melanocytic Nevus causes patches of brown or black skin on different parts of the body. Although it is usually harmless, sometimes there is a risk of cancer so as a precaution, surgery needs to be performed. Most of the time, however, this condition is perfectly healthy and creates a beautiful and unique look for a person.
It almost looks like she is always wearing a long black evening glove. She has a permanent elegant look to her from the black nevus that she was born with.
Bright Eyes With Waardenburg Syndrome
There is hardly a person who can look at the picture of these two people and not be stunned by their unconventional appearance. Their dark skin combined with their electric blue eyes is not something that you see every day. As a matter of fact, it's because they actually have a rare condition known as Waardenburg Syndrome. This syndrome can cause changes in pigmentation of the skin, eyes, and hair, creating this look.
We've never seen anything quite like this before. Their eyes seem to be glowing!
Hypertrichosis and Hair That Grows Everywhere
People usually aren't the biggest fans of body hair. Laser hair removal, waxing, and shaving are just some of the many options people have created in order to get rid of body hair. Some people have thicker growths than others and there are others yet who have a genetic mutation called Hypertrichosis which causes an excessive amount of hair growth anywhere on the body. It can even cause hair to grow all over your face.
Most men complain about having to shave their beards every day but imagine if you had to shave your entire face every day if you wanted that smooth and fresh look?
Two Sets of DNA
Genetics is a pretty straightforward thing...most of the time. However, as with everything in life, there are some exceptions. Have you ever heard of Chimeras? They are organisms with two different sets of DNA. This term is normally heard in the context of animals, however, it can also (rarely) be applied to humans. This woman has human chimerism which results in two different skin pigmentations on her body with two distinct red blood cell lineages.
You almost cannot even see the difference at first glance, but then you notice that it looks like this woman got a very interesting tan when she went out to sunbathe.
The Sixth Mini Toe
Most people are born with ten toes, five on each foot. However, there are some people in the world who were born differently. As can be seen here, this person was born with a sixth (or eleventh) toe. However, this isn't the type of extra toe you would normally picture. On the contrary, it is a mini toe on top of another toe. It comes complete with a toenail and everything!
Do you think this person has to cut this toenail as well? Does it grow too long? Do they even make nail clippers that are small enough to help with this?
Cowlicks in Different Directions
Have you ever heard of a double crown? Although you might think of royalty when you first hear of a crown, that is not the case here. A double crown is when you have two cowlicks on the crown of your head that go in opposite directions. Most people have just one and it always turns in the same direction, but some people are born with double, as is the case here.
Although this looks pretty cool from the top, most people will probably never even see this or even notice that they have something different with their hair.
Pear Shaped Pupil
Who doesn't appreciate someone with unique eyes? So far you have seen eyes that are different colors, different shapes, and different distances apart, but have you ever heard of someone who has a differently shaped eye pupil? There is a condition known as Coloboma which causes irregularities in the pupil, making it different shapes or colors. This woman has a pear-shaped pupil in one if her eyes, giving her a very unique look.
This is already an incredibly unique occurrence, but it looks even cooler as it is only in one eye. She must get lots of questions from people asking about it.
Heterochromia in Both Eyes
Everyone knows that if you have bright-colored eyes that it is good to wear bright colors to bring them out. That can be difficult when you have heterochromia as you can have different colored eyes. It can be hard to choose the right color that will make your eyes pop. This girl has two different colored eyes, both appear to be hazel but they are different shades of hazel entirely.
The left eye is almost a teal blue color that looks like something right out of the ocean. The right eye is a beautiful hazel that includes both green and brown.
The Hair That Stands up
The hair that always stands up...it almost sounds like the name of a children's book. This condition as well seems to come right out of a storybook. A girl named Shilah Madison was born with this unique condition that causes her hair to constantly stand up. This condition is known as "uncomfortable hair syndrome" and it can actually be pretty painful as the hair breaks off at the roots often.
It would be interesting to know if there is anything she can do to "tame" the standing-up hair. Does heat or curlers do anything? Some people are looking for more volume, but this girl constantly has it.
Extra Piece of Skin on the Ear
What would you do with a little extra piece of skin that was on your ear since birth? Although some people might just leave it alone forever, ignoring its existence, this man decided to embrace it and enhance it. He chose to make a little earring for his "extra ear", giving himself a nice and interesting look that no one else in the world can have. A unique double earring.
Some people might be so disturbed by this that they try to get it removed with surgery, but this man loved his extra skin on his ear and his earring is proof!
Extra Tooth in the Chin
So this is a pretty interesting one that actually could easily go unnoticed from the outside. This person had a full tooth that was imbedded and grown into their chin. The dentist probably noticed it in a routine x-ray or maybe it was causing some pain. Either way, it's almost like having a spare tire in the trunk of the car. It can't hurt to have an extra tooth in case you need it one day.
Imagine you are an adult and someone knocks your tooth out by mistake. Instead of being sad that you need to get a new tooth, you aren't worried because you have a spare stuck in your chin.
No Nose With Bam Syndrome
You wouldn't think it was really possible to be born without a nose, but apparently it can happen. Some people are born with Bam syndrome, which is a rare genetic disorder that causes children to be born without a nose or with a small nose. Oftentimes it comes along with poor vision or vision problems and eye pain in general. People with this condition also may have empty tear ducts entirely.
There are surgical options for people who want to make the appearance more mainstream, however, the additional nose does not function as a normal nose and it is only cosmetic.
Born With a Crab Like Hand
Your hands are one of the most important parts of your body. It is very difficult to lead a normal or easy life without functioning and normal hands. However, not everyone is born with the traditional hand that you are used to seeing. This person was born with a hand that looks more like a crab claw than a human hand. It seems like it would be very difficult to complete everyday tasks with a hand in this shape.
Although they do have a thumb, it seems very difficult to not have separate fingers on the rest of the hand. Beyond the appearance, it must be very limiting in everyday life.
Persistent Pupillary Membrane With the Iris of the Eye
Looking for yet another interesting eye condition? Persistent pupillary membrane (PPM) can cause the iris of the eye to look something like this, or an entire plethora of other interesting shapes. What causes this is the disappearance of certain parts of the iris when the pupil is formed. Luckily it does not affect vision as the brain is able to filter out and correct the images that it sees in real life.
Some people with PPM have it in both eyes while others have it in only one. It is oftentimes surprising to people that the sight itself is not affected by this condition.
Congenital Melanocytic Nevus - Pigmentation Spots on the Skin
Everyone is born with something that makes them very unique birth and for some, it is Congenital Melanocytic Nevus. Congenital Melanocytic Nevus is when a person is born with intensely pigmented spots on their skin that can range from brown to tan to pink to even black. They are almost like moles and they can even grow dark, coarse hair. This baby has Congenital Melanocytic Nevus and it shows in the form of multiple spots all over her skin.
She could not be any cuter as a result of the spots on her skin. She really looks like a little fairytale baby with these cute spots all over her.
Born With a Sixth Finger
You saw before that some people are born with an extra toe, but not necessarily the traditional extra toe that you would expect. This person, however, was born with a sixth finger, and in the exact way that you would expect. She is born with six fingers on one hand, with it incorporating perfectly normally into her hand, making it almost unnoticeable at first glance. It's hard to tell there is even an extra finger there.
This could come in very handy in life, especially when it comes to playing an instrument like the piano. They should start this girl out on the piano at a very young age.
One Pointed Elf Ear on One Baby
Everyone knows that despite the phrase "identical twins" no two people are ever actually identical. These twins are the perfect proof of this. They were born identical twins, however, one of them was born with a unique feature on one of her ears. One ear is pointed, like an elf ear. But it is only one ear on one of the babies. At least the family will always be able to tell them apart.
Imagine trying to pretend that you are your sister (as all identical twins probably do at some point in their lives) but then know that you can easily be given away by your one pointy ear that your sister doesn't have.
The Extra Tear Duct in Her Ear
Ok so this one is practically unnoticeable to the naked eye, however, what this little hole in her ear is capable of is the most shocking thing. You might think that this is just a regular little prick in the ear, however, that is not the case. This hole in her ear actually sheds tears whenever she cries (from her eyes). It's as if she has an extra tear duct but in her ear!
It would be interesting to know if they are actual tears that come out of her ear as the body is connected, or if it is more of a liquid that releases as a result of the tearing process in her eyes.
The Model With The Darkest Skin
The range of skin colors we have on our planet is massive. People can be light, dark, and everything in between along the way. There is beauty to be found in every shade on the spectrum. This model, from South Sudan, is said to have the darkest skin of any model in the world, and possibly the darkest skin of anyone, anywhere. She certainly is stunning and earns her place in the spotlight.
Nyakim Gatwech is a South Sudanese model who grew up in Etheopia and then moved to the US as a teenager. At only 29 years old, she is known as the Queen of The Dark because of her very dark skin, a result of high levels of melanin.
A Different Kind Of Face
Cleft palates and cleft lips are much more common than we might think -- about one to two in a thousand babies are born with the condition. It's a perfectly natural effect, and even some celebrities we know famously have it, like Joaquin Phoenix and Jesse Jackson. Thankfully the more harmful effects can be repaired very easily and reliably these days, so it's not a threatening condition as it once may have been.
Interestingly, cleft lip is about twice as common in men as in women, while cleft palate (without a cleft lip) is more common in women. And either way, as we can see it can certainly produce an interesting look in anyone.
She Knows About Her Nose
Some families have very strong genes and we can clearly see a connection between parents and children. Sometimes we can pick out specific elements, like the eyes of the mother, the ears of the father, the chin of grandma, etc. Often, the nose is one of this characteristic features. Sometimes people can feel self consciuous about the size of their schnozz, but they can always be beautiful regardless of shape. After all, it is your face.
It seems that people can be particularly sensitive about their nose. Interestingly, it seems that the size and the shape of one's nose may not be solely inherited from the parents through our genes, but rather evolved in response to the local climate conditions.
Hair Raising Genetics
It's never an easy task to find a good place to get our hair done. Some people have enough trouble choosing a style to begin with, and then we have choosing the right shampoo and styling products, and the list goes on. Suffice it to say that hair is a big part our lives. Genetic factors play a major role in determining our hair texture, whether it's straight or curly or wavy, and the thickness of the hair itself.
Different populations around the world have a wide range of approaches to hair styles and what kind of hair is considered beautiful. Some groups even cover it up completely or style it with natural products like mud and clay.