The former Grand Miss Wales, from Chirk, North Wales, started suffering from chronic acne after traveling to compete in an international beauty pageant.

Lauren Parkinson was left heartbroken after developing chronic acne and just decided to hide her acne behind make-up and social media filters.

Lauren told she developed extreme acne when she was at an event in Myanmar, South East Asia.

She said: “I had to cover up the best I could and go out on stage in front of thousands of people. My face was plastered over internet sites and social media pages with millions of followers.”

“The stress of being in such a massive spotlight was almost too much to bear.”

She got negative comments about her skin issues and people pointed finger at her and stared at her because of her spots.

She was banned from using makeup and put on Roaccutane – a controversial drug that can cure acne.

She was working without makeup and the comments she was getting about her looks were unbearable.

She said: “I remember over-hearing a woman saying to her young daughter ‘look at her face’. Other times people would stop in the supermarket and give me advice. I felt like I was dying inside. I just wanted to be left alone.”

After hiding her face from people and shutting herself down for months, she decided to embrace her imperfections.

The 24-year-old has now opened up about her condition and stopped hiding her ‘true’ skin from the world.

She started sharing her pictures without makeup to encourage people like her.

She said parents of younger girls who are struggling with acne contacted her and thanked her for sharing her story as it helped their children to deal with it.

Lauren said: “It’s not something that you have to hide behind, it’s something you just have to learn to embrace because it does get better. You shouldn’t have to hide away from it. I just decided it was best to confront it.”

Lauren, who will be competing in the Miss Wales contest next month, hopes to compete for the Miss World title one day.

She is an inspiration and has been encouraging millions after sharing her story. She has advised people not to get affected by social media trolls and start accepting your true self.

 

 

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