A young man named Oluwadamilare Joseph, now 21, was diagnosed with trichoepithelioma, a rare genetic skin condition causing tumors to form from hair follicles, when he was just six years old. Growing up in Cross River State, Nigeria, Oluwadamilare and some family members have this condition, but it was only when he faced bullying in school that he realized the impact of his appearance.

Despite the challenges, Oluwadamilare decided to educate others about trichoepithelioma by sharing his story on social media. With the help of his sister’s photos online, he gained over 100,000 followers on TikTok, aiming to raise awareness and dispel misconceptions about the non-contagious condition.

Although he encounters negativity and abuse online, Oluwadamilare prefers to focus on the positive support he receives and hopes to encourage open dialogue about his condition rather than assumptions. Surgery is an option to remove the tumors, but they may return over time, as he documents his journey on TikTok @threethousand_lightyear.