Ben Affleck's ex Lindsay Shookus proudly shows off large port-wine stain covering her right leg: 'I'm surely more than my birthmark'

The 40-year-old Saturday Night Live producer dated Affleck from 2017 to 2019
She posed for the More Than A Birthmark campaign on Instagram wearing a short dress that showed off the large birthmark on her leg
She wrote that some people think her port-wine stain vascular birthmark is 'weird' or 'ugly'
One compared it to a Jackson Pollock painting, which she thinks makes her leg 'more valuable than most'
She admitted she is 'lucky' it's not on her face, but added: 'None of us are ever defined by one thing'
Her ex Affleck is rumored to be house-hunting with Jennifer Lopez

Published: 15:01 BST, 13 August 2021 | Updated: 09:13 BST, 16 August 2021

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Lindsay Shookus is proudly showing off a large port-wine birthmark that covers much of her right leg and foot for a new campaign.

The 40-year-old Saturday Night Live producer, who dated Ben Affleck from 2017 to 2019, shared the stunning shot on Instagram on Thursday with the hashtags #MoreThanABirthmark and #MoreThanAPWS.

In a candid caption, she wrote that some people think her port-wine stain vascular birthmark is 'weird' or 'ugly,' but she wants to assert that she is 'more than my birthmark.'

'I once had someone tell me it was like I had a Jackson Pollock painting on my leg, so I like to think that makes my leg more valuable than most,' she wrote.

Lindsay Shookus is proudly showing off a large port-wine birthmark that covers much of her right leg and foot for a new campaign

A Port Wine Stain (PWS) birthmark is a skin and blood vessel condition present at birth that occurs in three in 1,000 children

'I once had someone tell me it was like I had a Jackson Pollock painting on my leg, so I like to think that makes my leg more valuable than most,' she wrote

What is a port wine stain vascular birthmark?

A Port Wine Stain (PWS) birthmark is a skin and blood vessel condition which causes discoloration that looks like someone spilled wine on the skin.

They are usually harmless, with the biggest concern being a detriment to a person's self-esteem.

However, those with a stain around the eye have an increased risk of glaucoma, while about 3% of those with a port wine stain on their face also have a mutation that causes Sturge-Weber syndrome.

Sturge-Weber syndrome is a rare disorder that causes neurological abnormalities, seizures, and eye abnormalities such as glaucoma.

They may also have weak muscles, migraines, and trouble learning.

A stain on the arm or leg may also be associated Klippel Trenaunay syndrome, which can include varicose veins and other vein malformations, the overgrowth of bones and soft tissue, cataracts, glaucoma, hip dislocation, at birth, blood-clotting problems, and lymphatic system abnormalities.

'I was born with a Port Wine Stain Vascular Birthmark from my knee to my toes,' she began.

'While it’s never changed and doesn’t ever hurt, I’ve learned from Dr. Linda at @vbirthmarks that I’m very lucky for the placement and the lack of any health complications, like many people with vascular birthmarks can face,' she went on.

'Some people think it’s weird or ugly. I definitely still notice people staring at it,' she admitted.

'None of us are ever defined by one thing, and I’m surely more than my birthmark,' she said, calling this her 'power birthmark photo.'

She concluded by thanking Dr. Linda for 'the incredible work you do to bring awareness and funds for those in need of serious treatment.'

According to the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation, a Port Wine Stain (PWS) birthmark is a skin and blood vessel condition present at birth that occurs in three in 1,000 children.

Also called nevus flammeus, it is caused by caused by abnormal development of blood vessels in the skin and presents as a pink, red, or purple discoloration of the skin.

These birthmarks are usually harmless, but can rarely be associated with other health problems including Sturge-Weber syndrome, glaucoma, or Klippel Trenaunay syndrome.

'None of us are ever defined by one thing, and I’m surely more than my birthmark,' she said, calling the campaign shot her 'power birthmark photo'

At the Primetime Emmys in September of 2017, Lindsay wore a stunning black gown with a thigh-high slit over her right leg and confidently posed for pictures

Lindsay's post has garnered support from followers, including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan, The Young and the Restless's Melissa Claire Egan, Natasha Lyonne, and SNL's Jessica Williams.

Emmy award winner Lindsay, who has an eight-year-old daughter named Madeline, has showed off her birthmark before.

At the Primetime Emmys in September of 2017, she wore a stunning black gown with a thigh-high slit over her right leg and confidently posed for pictures.

Lindsey has joined several others for the More Than a Birthmark campaign, including dozens of children.

While Lindsay has her own hugely successful show business career, she rose to the public's attention in July 2017 when she was first spotted publicly with Ben Affleck, about two years after he announced his split with ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

They dated on and off until ultimately going their separate ways in April of 2019.

While Lindsay has her own hugely successful show business career, she rose to the public's attention in July 2017 when she was first spotted publicly with Ben Affleck

They dated on and off until ultimately going their separate ways in April of 2019

Ben, 48, has since reunited with Jennifer Lopez, 52, and the two were spotted on Thursday leaving a martial arts training session together.

And earlier this week, the couple was photographed near Bob Hope's $40 million Toluca Lake estate, fueling rumors that the singer is looking to relocate to the West Coast from Miami for the actor.

They were reportedly touring the five-acre property once belonging to the famous British-American comedian at around 11:30 a.m., and spent an hour there.