Model Melanie Gaydos Opens Up About Ectodermal Dysplasia, Is Beautiful And Inspiring

No one is more beautiful and inspiring than model Melanie Gaydos .

In this interview -- part of a series called The What's Underneath Project , which asks people to take their clothes off to prove "style is not the clothes you wear" -- Gaydos speaks bravely and candidly about her journey through ectodermal dysplasia, a genetic disorder that affects the pores, hair, teeth and nails. The disease resulted in her undergoing 30-40 surgeries as a young woman, and on top of that, Gaydos struggled with an alcoholic family, abuse and suicidal thoughts.

"Growing up, I never thought Id be alive past the age of 18," she says in the video. "I never thought I would kill myself; I just kind of thought that it would happen by accident. [But] as I got older, I did think I would kill myself."

But about three years ago, Gaydos found an outlet in modeling. Since then, she's starred in a music video for the band Rammstein , and has been working steadily, she told Daily Beast, hoping to break into high fashion .

"Id rather experience life as it is right now," she says. "I love modeling; its a time for me to be completely open. Its a therapeutic process for me."

Her views on beauty are even more inspiring: "For me, beauty is more a feeling and a state of being."

Watch the entire video above.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline .