featured-image

A beauty pageant contestant with a large scar on her chest from open heart surgery says: "I won't be covering it up - it's who I am." Crystal Pincott, 23, underwent surgery to close a hole in her heart in January after being diagnosed with a life-limiting heart condition that affects blood flow. The nine-hour operation left her with a visible scar in the middle of her chest, but it has not stopped her wearing the clothes she used to wear and competing in pageants.

Crystal, the current Miss Elegance of the World UK, will not cover the scar up when she jets off to Florida to compete in the global Miss Elegance competition. She said: "I carry on wearing the same outfits as before. It's who you are.



People suggested 'why don't you cover it up with a tattoo or make-up'. I just leave it. There's not point in trying to hide it.

It doesn't stop me doing the beauty pageants." Crystal, an extra and ex-teaching assistant, from Taunton, Somerset said she always struggled being out of breath when she is running or even walking up the stairs. The keen horse rider visited her GP in late 2022 and was diagnosed with a sinus venosus atrial septal defect following blood tests and an MRI.

Crystal said: "I knew it was something deeper than not being fit enough, but I didn't expect it would be anything major. The only option was to have heart surgery to be able to fulfil a normal life." She believes that if she'd gone undiagnosed, she would have had a "sudden death" and no one would know why.

Crys.

Back to Beauty Page