A Scots make-up artist (MUA) with a 'zombie-like' skin condition has bravely opened up on feeling 'judged' by people who think she has a 'contagious rash'.
Danielle Robertson, 32, was diagnosed with psoriasis aged 16 and has endured crippling flare-ups ever since.
Psoriasis is believed to be related to the immune system where sufferers produce more skin cells, causing flaky patches of skin which form scales.
'Scunnered' with 'hiding away' and determined to help others feel good in their own skin, Danielle recently exposed her uncomfortable 'patchy and spotty' flare-up to over 80,000 followers on social media.
While the brave beautician joked she looked like 'an apocalyptic zombie', she demonstrated the 'transformative' power of make-up that 'camouflages' her insecurities.
Danielle, from Bishopton, Renfrewshire told the Record: "It's human nature for people to stare at something different but it has really knocked my confidence in the past.
"Psoriasis can be mistaken for lots of things that are contagious, like impetigo, or seen as dirty. Clients worry I have something like that and ask 'what's on your skin?' which makes me self-conscious.
"After Christmas I got a bad flare up and felt so down. I was stuck in the house, hiding away which isn't great for a public-facing job like mine.
"I was scunnered and wanted to embrace my skin condition to show others that it's okay to have it."
So talented Danielle decided to lay bare her condition on YouTube and TikTok.
Lengthy videos explain her psoriasis before showing how products can conceal flare ups.
"I'm no doctor and I don't claim to be," she added.
"I also think people should be free to go barefaced, no matter what their skin issue is.
"But to me, make-up is like camouflage. If showing other people how it has helped me can make a difference to them, then it's worth it."
Going au naturale is a far cry from Danielle's glamorous career in beauty.
The high-flyer has painted faces in Los Angeles and Dubai as a global make-up artist for Urban Decay.
Alongside a constant stream of bridal clients, Danielle's nine-to-five is with beauty giant, L'Oréal who own luxury names such as Armani and Yves Saint Laurent.
"I've had a number of pinch me moments," she said.
"But amongst all the highs, I've had times where I felt like I couldn't go into work as my psoriasis was so bad. I would feel so conscious.
"That's why I wanted to break down the stigma with posting about it."
She added: The reaction has been amazing and I feel it's now almost part of my online profile.
"To anyone else suffering from any skin condition; don't be fazed by something that's just a phase. It does get better and there are products out there to help."
You can follow Danielle by heading to her Facebook page Danielle Roberts Make-Up Artist, or at at daniellerobertsmua on Instagram and TikTok as well as her YouTube channel.
Psoriasis affects around two in 100 people in the UK, find more information on the NHS website.
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