Meet the Lady Who Proudly Wears Her 4-Inch Beard and Breaks Society Beauty Standards

year ago

Coral Sanchez started growing facial hair at the age of 9, which led her to shave her face every single day for 16 years. However, at 29, she’s decided to embrace her natural 4-inch beard and calls it beautiful. Read the article and find out why she chose to ditch the razor once and forever.

She has a rare condition.

Coral Sanchez was just 12 years old when she had to start shaving every morning due to excessive hair growth caused by hirsutism. The condition not only affected her facial hair but also her body hair, making her feel self-conscious and insecure.

To hide it, she used to layer her face with foundation, but the stubble would grow back by the afternoon. Coral was so self-conscious about her beard that she didn’t let anyone get close, and even managed to hide it from a guy she dated for 4 years.

Soon her life was completely altered, leading to her self-acceptance.

However, at the age of 26, when she faced homelessness, and she made the life-changing decision to embrace her natural appearance.

Coral lives in Seattle, Washington, and has now been growing her beard for a year since March 2022. She feels proud of her decision and says that embracing her natural appearance has made her feel “truly beautiful.”

“Finally, unafraid to be me”

Coral’s partner of nearly 4 years, Illias Clark, 25, has been a pillar of support for her. He reassured her that she was “beautiful” and that her body was simply doing what came naturally. Reflecting on her past experiences, Coral explained that she started shaving because she felt like that was what she was supposed to do.

She kept her condition a secret, waking up before him every day to shave and never letting him see her without makeup. She felt hidden and trapped in her routine.

At the age of 12, Coral turned to waxing before eventually transitioning to shaving. Coral’s hirsutism is caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that affects how the ovaries work and can result in the excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in a male-like pattern.

As Coral got older, it became increasingly difficult to reapply full-coverage makeup throughout the day to hide her hair growth, especially in work settings where people would stare but not say anything.

We are all beautiful the way we are.

When Coral faced homelessness and had to live in her car without access to a shower or bathroom, she found it increasingly difficult and painful to continue shaving every day. She began to rebel against the pressure to shave and embrace her natural appearance: “I don’t want to hide anymore,” she explained.

Check out these articles too before you decide to leave us:

Preview photo credit Coral Sanchez / Facebook, Coral Sanchez / Facebook