Agony of woman who suffers from rare condition that causes her to compulsively damage her own skin

At first glance, Sophie Ehrmann is a typical pretty twenty-something. But her fresh-faced looks hide a dark secret and her flawless skin isn't quite what it seems.

Rather than being the result of good health, Sophie's complexion comes from spending two-hours a day applying products to conceal the scars that dot her body as a result of dermatillomania, a condition that sees her compulsively damage her own skin.

Until recently, Sophie, who also suffers from trichtillomania, had kept her condition a secret from friends and family but now, the brave 24-year-old has laid bare her syndrome in a series of compelling portraits. 

                                   

       'I am a very high strung person and to calm myself, I tear my hair and skin out,' explains Sophie, who believes her condition is the result of stress. 

                                           '             For me, they are stress relievers that make you feel high when you do it. It is the same thing as turning to drugs or alcohol for your problems.'

New-York born Sophie started experiencing symptoms at the age of 12. By 17, she was secretly ripping skin and hair from her legs, face, underarms, breasts and bikini area.

'I used to go up to my bedroom, lock my door and shine a lamp on various parts of my body. Then I would just go to town on myself with my tweezers. My parents thought I was studying.'

Sophie eventually confided in her mother and was diagnosed with the disorders at 19. But it was too late to stop the scarring that means she's forced to slather herself in make-up before leaving home.

'I spend a lot of money on products and who knows how much on long socks, knee high boots, and tights. Then the whole cover-up process itself takes at least 90 minutes.

'It sucks. I can't just leave my house wearing a cute dress baring my legs for all to see. I have to plan things out. 

'I wish I had normal legs so I could just get dressed and wear whatever I want, whenever I want, without it being some big ordeal.'

It is not only going out that is difficult for Sophie: 'It is hard becoming intimate with someone when you feel so self-conscious about whether they will notice all the scars on your body, and think less of you.'

However after years of hiding from others, Sophie decided that it was time to tell the world the truth about her condition.

She revealed her scars to the world through an intimate photography project that was shown in an exhibition at New York City's School of Visual Arts in September. 

'I wanted more people to be aware of dermatillomania and trichotillomania and how it can affect anyone. 

'I felt like I should represent all of the people who were in my position and were too uncomfortable to publicise their disorder. Someone had to do it, and why not me?'

Harder was revealing the extent of her condition to friends and family, some of whom were shocked by the graphic images.

'Some people would avoid looking at the pictures because they were uncomfortable or grossed out, but that doesn't bother me because that's life. Some people will love what you do and others won't.'

                                                                                                                                                           posted by Emanto Ngaloru Nov 6, 2013.