Many of the portraits are of individuals with physical disfigurements or genetic defects. Cosmetic prosthesis has long been used to disguise injuries and disfigurements. He wears a dental prosthetic to conceal his disfigurements. Suffering serious facial disfigurements, he also broke his jaw, leg and shoulder. Addicted to Savary's mind-expanding drug, his creations suffer from grotesque disfigurements. Their purpose is to cover, protect, and disguise facial disfigurements or underdevelopments. She now works as an advocate fostering understanding for survivors of burns or other disfigurements. Some disfigurements practised bore a secondary practical rationale as well. Other "decorative disfigurements" include the chipping of the teeth. Many had disfigurements or compromised immune systems which prevented them from getting or keeping jobs. Wealthy Romans favoured white lead paste, which could lead to disfigurements and death.