People may call her ''ugly'' but this dancer has used her unique birthmark to inspire others!

Cassandra Naud was born with a large birthmark under her right eye – but she wouldn't dream of removing it.

"I feel like it's been such a positive thing in my life," the professional dancer, 22, tells PEOPLE. "It helps me be more memorable, which is super important in this industry as a performer." When she was a baby, Naud's parents decided not to have the birthmark removed – it's technically a nevus, or pigmented patch of skin – after doctors told them the procedure would be too risky. Although she is ultimately happy with their decision, Naud did experience some bullying when she was young.

"I was teased when I was in elementary school," says the Alberta, Canada, native. "People always had questions, but I was pretty confident in my appearance."

In fact, she was so self-assured that although she considered removing her birthmark when she was 13, she decided against it.

"I was going into high school and didn't know what the reaction would be," she explains. "We made the appointment, and then right after I changed my mind." Since then, she's "grown to love it."

"It definitely helps people remember me," Naud says. "One time I was shopping back in my hometown and this woman came up to me and said, 'I delivered you! I was one of the nurses in the delivery room!' It was cool that she was able to see me and just know that that was me." 

 She posted this artwork of her face on Instagram and got lots of inspiring words from her followers:

annaa_suazo Ur so beautiful ❤️

princedarlyhanz You're beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You really are unique! 😘👍

asmita0013 Read the article. Was really inspired.u're beautiful inside and out 💕 best wishes from Nepal. 😊

loyalboi_wells Wow u r the first person I've seen in my LIFE that is like me. I understand we went through the same pain that made us stronger and who we are today. I appreciate U. Your confidence is very inspiring. @cassandranaud

frut76 Ur a inspiration ... Ur beautiful!! In and out

mwl3000 @gigimaf11 look at this girl !!

juniorq5711 #win

daniloazevedo_ You are BEAUTIFULL!! Nod even close or distance to look a little strange with you perfect mark, your perfect imperfections, so damn gorgeous, I'm really happy to just know that you are one of the little few people's in the world that embrace the things that the whole world thought is strange, sorry the word, but Fuck them, your better, have a much more capacity of understanding and knowledge that 90% of the world, and everything bad that happened to you, just made you stronger and better even more to live your life, congratulations for your, you deserved it! And i'm in love.

theorangeandtheblackxo I have a port wine stain birthmark on my face that I chose to embrace instead of removing (as suggested by MANY) and wouldn't change it for a thing. Love mine! So glad someone feels the same about theirs!

kelseyoc_ Amazing artwork!!!! 😍😍

carrieochoa @cassandranaud just read an article about you and your beauty mark and wanted to say Thank you for being inspirational! Keep being YOU❤️

ericamerecka You remind me of a female wolverine in a sexy, beautiful kind of way! Thanks for being such an inspiration to be BE-YOU-TIFUL! :)

shea_marie_bean I think you have the right attitude about it! You are gorgeous and its part of you! God made you that way and he doesn't make mistakes. You are an inspiration to all girls and women to love yourself the way you are!

sheelah_ You are a very beautiful and unique woman. My son was also born with a large birthmark on his face and i have had so much mixed feelings about it. Whether to have it removed or not he is still a baby but i worry about him being bullied in school and his self esteem. But u seem like such a wonderful role model for people with birthmarks and thwir mothers its not a topic that is usually discussed i am happy i stumbled upon you on social media it has been very refreshing and inspiring thank you for staying unique and gorgeous.


She's really be-you-tiful...and definitely unforgettable.