DESTIGMATISING FACIAL DIFFERENCE
Want to help make face equality a reality but not sure where to start? ​
This page highlights some helpful guidance and resources for anyone looking to support people living with a visible difference.
Content adapted with permission from Changing Faces. All figures and statistics taken from research commissioned by Changing Faces.
© Face Equality International
KEY FACTS
Almost 1 in 5 people in the UK identify as having a visible difference, such as a scar, mark or condition, including 569,000 with facial differences.
​Research shows that looking different has a significant impact on people’s experience and wellbeing:
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​Nearly 1 in 4 say that they feel depressed, sad or anxious as a result of having a visible difference.
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A third of people with a visible difference have experienced a hate crime.
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Over a quarter say they are regularly ignored by shop assistants and receive bad service because of their appearance.
The Telegraph, 'Living with a Visible Difference | Changing Faces' (2018)
TALKING ABOUT LOOKING DIFFERENT
(© Changing Faces)
It is generally advised to use the words "visible difference" to describe a scar, mark or condition which makes a person look different.
"Disfigurement" is often used in a legal context as it is enshrined in law in the Equality Act 2010, which gives legal protection to people with "severe disfigurements".
It is important to remember that not everyone likes the word "disfigurement". They may prefer "visible difference", "looks different" or the name of their condition.
Things you should do:​
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Use “visible difference” rather than “deformity”, “abnormality” or “defect”.
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When talking to someone, ask them how they refer to their visible difference and reflect this language when you speak.
​Many people prefer to use the name of the condition or the cause of the mark or scar to describe themselves. For example, “Anya has a cleft lip”. This is an informative way of describing the person’s condition, mark or scar.
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Be aware that no matter how many times someone tells their story, it can still be an emotional moment for them.
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Remember that no one owes you an explanation for the way they look.
Things not to do:
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Do not use terms like “scarred people” but place the individual first, using phrases such as “people who have scars”.
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Do not use sensationalising phrases such as “terribly scarred”, “horribly disfigured” or “badly burned”. Instead, use non-judgemental, factual language.
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Do not use “victim”, instead use “survivor” or, where possible, say that an individual was “involved” in an accident or incident.
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Do not make assumptions about the experience of having a visible difference or how someone feels about this – each person’s situation is individual to them.
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Do not assume the person is a victim or feel sorry for them – listen to their experiences and take your lead from them.
BBC Three, 'Things Not To Say To Someone With A Facial Disfigurement' (2016)
GUIDES AND RESOURCES
Charities Changing Faces and Face Equality International have created a wealth of resources, training and guidance to support the destigmatisation of visible differences.
BECOME A VISIBLE DIFFERENCE ALLY
Changing Faces have created a free allyship email series to educate subscribers on the common issues that people with a visible difference or disfigurement face.
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It is written for anyone who wants to know how best to behave and talk to someone with a visible difference - be it a friend, colleague, or stranger.​ Sign up here.​​​​​
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE SPECIFIC?
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Explore these selected guides or browse the websites.
SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH A VISIBLE DIFFERENCE
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If you have a visible difference and need additional support, check out these pages:
REPRESENTATION MATTERS
There is a lack of positive representation of facial difference across society.
Facial differences such as scars or burns are often still used as shorthand for villainy in TV, books and films.
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“Only 1 in 5 with a visible difference have seen a character who looks like them cast as the hero in a film or on TV, but nearly double (39%) have seen someone with a visible difference cast as the 'baddie'.”
Those with visible differences report long-term impacts from not being represented in society:​
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A third report low levels of confidence.
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3 in 10 have struggled with body image and low self-esteem.
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A quarter say it has affected their mental health.​
(© Changing Faces)
Positive representation can help to increase self-esteem and reduce stereotyping.
Browse these books and films which positively centre people with facial differences.
