Most people can attest to some teasing when they were in elementary or middle school – some due to weight, or their clothes, but for Stephanie Yanes, it was her skin. Eczema showed up early and often, and it wasn’t easy to keep it hidden from peers. “I remember being in middle school, and the boys I had crushes on would be grossed out, saying, “Ewww, what’s on your face? What’s on your arm!?”
Still, her parents did all they could to make sure Yanes was comfortable and supported. “My mom gave me oatmeal baths,” she says. Her father felt a lot of guilt. “He once told me, ‘I’m sorry mija, but I think I caused your eczema,’” says Yanes. “He told me that he thought he was to blame because he had gone swimming in a particular [possibly contaminated] river in El Salvador,” she says. “I had to explain that it wasn’t the case at all.”
An Unexpected Modeling Gig
Yanes was out of the country and enjoying some much-needed R&R when her friend reached out about a casting call for people with eczema who wanted a makeover. “I reluctantly applied because I was just back from travels and was exhausted,” says Yanes.
When Yanes realized it was more than just a makeover and the chance to be on the show Project Runway and raise awareness about eczema, she screamed. “I was such a fan of the show growing up,” she says. “It was truly a pinch-me moment.”
The moment turned into a whirlwind of two weeks of fittings, filming, and raising awareness about eczema. The show focused on creating fashions for people with eczema, like Yanes, who were living with the disease and would be the models. “If I’m honest, I’ve always been a little ashamed of my eczema — especially during a flare,” says Yanes. “But here I am, a model — being coached by supermodel Heidi Klum!”
But if you think it was all fashion and runways, think again. Yanes was proud to work with a Latino designer (who also had eczema) and was honored as members of the crew came up to her to share about their own eczema. While the designers were thinking about fashions for the skin challenges with eczema, Yanes was relishing the moment. “The experience gave me the biggest confidence boost I needed,” she says. “The coolest thing about it was that it was a lovely surprise — a much-needed jolt of magic. It was a beautiful experience and something I never thought I could be so open about and proud of.”
When Yanes found out she would be walking out first, she was ecstatic. Her designer/hype man thought it made sense, saying “Solo las perras mas malas van primero.” (Translation: Only the baddest b*@*%** go first!”)
Sharing It With the World
The summer after filming Project Runway, Yanes had a severe eczema flare. She used that time to continue educating others about the disease and posted what life can be like while going through a flare. “I made a video about how bad it can be,” says Yanes. “I wanted people to know that I understood. So much of social media is showing your best self, but I wanted to show the reality.”
After the shock of being so vulnerable and exposed, Yanes says there was an outpouring of love. But the feeling was mutual. Yanes says while others were encouraged by her story, she felt a sense of community and learned things from others too. Yanes says she learned more about diet, self-care, and even the need for more research. “I was also able to find other Latinos going through this.”
Moving Forward
Today, Yanes treats her eczema with medications and is careful about what she allows in and on her body. “I watch what I eat, what I wear, and how much stress I allow,” says Yanes.
Living and working near New York City carries a measure of stress. But Yanes says she’s learned not to let the busyness of life and work get the upper hand. “The longer I have eczema, the more I learn that stress can trigger a flare for me,” she says. “Self-care and learning to set boundaries are so important. Go for a walk or whatever and don’t feel bad about it!”
For Yanes, eczema has been a teacher of sorts. “It’s taught me how to take my health more seriously and at an earlier age than I think I would have,” says Yanes. But the learning hasn’t stopped there. Yanes says there is a certain type of empathy and compassion that’s unlocked when you have a health condition. “Living with eczema has opened my eyes to the types of challenges people may deal with on a daily basis.” Yanes takes this insight to her job as a social worker supporting older adults and other marginalized people.
“Project Runway set me on the path to doing purpose-driven work and sharing my message and life journey in the hopes of helping others,” she says. “I’m getting to know myself and feeling grateful in this space.”
