It was a mistake.

The nightmares he sees constantly in his peripheral vision are the symptom of the flayed parts of his soul. Though he escaped the flames that sought his spirit-life, every hair was singed from the right side of his face.

He remembers that night every time he looks in the mirror.

((This works with all skintones. If you're going to derive from this, PLEASE do so from this page only. Thanks. ^.~))