Girl with vitiligo who was cruelly taunted for years poses proudly for sexy snaps
Until April last year Ashley Soto refused to wear a bikini or go swimming after a cruel stranger at a pool accused her of "showering in bleach"
A VITILIGO sufferer who spent her teenage years hidden away in shame because of cruel comments about her condition has hit back with sexy snaps that show off her skin.
Ashley Soto, 21, was 12-years-old when she developed the skin condition, which Michael Jackson also suffered from.
The condition caused pale white patches to appear on her skin because her body is lacking in melanin - the chemical that gives human hair, skin and eyes their colour.
After her diagnosss, an embarrassed Ashley, from Orlando in Florida, USA, spent most of her time indoors, avoiding people and wearing long sleeves to hide her skin - even in 40 degree summer heat.
Up until April last year she refused to wear a bikini or go swimming after a cruel stranger at a pool accused her of "showering in bleach" when she was just 13.
But after years of suffering from anxiety and feeling too afraid to face the outside world without her mum, Ashley has finally embraced her appearance.
She proudly posted candid photos to over 10,000 followers on social media that reveal the light patches on her body.
Ashley said: "When I first got vitiligo it was just this little spot on my neck and I was at the age where I was still trying to figure out who I was.
"I got a lots of mean comments and people staring so it was really hard.
"The worst comment I got when I was a kid was when I went to the pool.
"I was in my swimming costume and I knew people were staring but I tried to not let it get to me.
"I was just about to dive in and this girl said, 'I think she had a shower with bleach.'
"I just ran into the bathroom and cried.
"It made me afraid after that and I didn't ever go swimming again."
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The comment shattered Ashley's confidence and as her vitiligo spread she shut herself off from the world.
She said: "I used to be a cheerleader and I was super outgoing.
"But after I got vitiligo I separated myself and I didn't want to make friends because I was so scared of being judged and not accepted.
"I started wearing long sleeves, which was hard because I live in Florida and it's so hot.
"There were so many days when I would just stay at home, all day, because of it.
"I had no friends and I would never want to go anywhere or do things without my mum.
"Even going to the store would give me anxiety.";
As Ashley got older her condition affected her dating life too.
She added: "Dating was hard for me too, as I would try and hide myself.
"I felt that they would think it was gross, so I never had a serious relationship."
The brunette beauty initially started her Instagram to blog about beauty tutorials but four months ago, she bravely uploaded her first photo revealing her condition.
She said: "Before my account was just about make-up and I would never show my body, just my face and selfies.
"I was too scared to show my body.
"I learnt how to cover my face.
"But I had seen other girls putting themselves out there and I had read lots of positive comments.
"I was really afraid, I was preparing myself for nasty comments but it was really positive."
After positing the revealing pictures online, Ashley's confidence grew and she started to take small steps to regain her life.
She said: "I started slowly, I stopped wearing sweaters and I would go to the corner stop without long sleeves to see how I feel.
"It went little by little, and I went to wearing tank tops which was something I would never do.
"And recently I went to theme park and I forced myself to wear a swim suit.
"It was so weird at first but I just don't want life to go back to what it was before.
"I realise that I may be different but I am unique and I should be proud of who I am.
"I have finally learnt to love myself."
Ashley added: "I am so much happier now, I am able to do something or my own.
"Now I hope my Instagram page can help others too."