Billi Mucklow opened up about her battle with a mystery skin condition which left her skin inflamed and blistered – as she shared shocking before and after pictures of her face.
The TOWIE star, 36, shared the pictures in an Instagram post on Thursday – where she celebrated finally being pain-free after finding a treatment that worked.
Billi disclosed how she had spent years suffering with redness, pain, itchiness and blisters on her face – and that she felt she had exhausted every treatment option.
After being prescribed a steroid that appeared to treat her skin, Billi was delighted – but quickly found that if she forgot to take it for even a day she would have a flare-up. She later learned her skin had become addicted to the steroid treatment, so began weaning herself off it.
But after handing the reigns to specialist facialist Skin Genie Alex, Billi was set on a skin care routine that has ‘transformed’ her skin.
Billi Mucklow opened up her battle with a mystery allergy on Thursday which left her skin inflamed and blistered, sharing images on Instagram
Shocking before and after pictures of her face show how inflamed her skin was before she weaned herself off steroids and found a skincare routine that worked
‘These are pictures I never ever planned on sharing but my results that @the.skin.genie @skeyndor.uk have achieved with my skin are just too amazing not to share,’ Billi captioned the images.
She went on: ‘For years I’ve suffered with redness, blisters, sore itchy skin on my face. I’ve seen skin specialists, dermatologist, doctors, nutritionists, had allergy tests over the years.’
Billi went on to say she had tried all types of fungal creams, rosacea treatments and had ‘every facial there is going’.
She also splashed out out all brands of skincare and even tried the simple method of just using water to clear the rash.
Concerned it may be triggered by her diet, Billi also tried being vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free – but nothing seemed to help her skin.
A dermatologist finally prescribed Billi a steroid ointment, which she says was the ‘only thing’ that would clear her skin up, however the relief quickly faded.
She continued: ‘I got to a point where if I missed one night of not applying the steroid the next day it would be back and it was getting worse. I’ve now learnt that my skin was ADDICTED to the steroids.
‘I had to ween my skin off the steroids and in the first week i was desperate to use them again because it got worse before it got better.’
Soon enough Billi began working with facialist Alex, who goes by the name the Skin Genie, and was given a skincare routine consisting of products from the brand Skeyndor.
She said letting Alex take control of her skin and introducing her to new products has ‘completely transformed my skin.’
Billi disclosed how she had spent years suffering with redness, pain, itchiness and blisters on her face – and that she felt she had exhausted every treatment option
Soon enough Billi began working with facialist Alex, who goes by the name the Skin Genie, and after she was given a new skincare routine saw amazing results (Pictured is Billi’s skin before and after)
‘These are pictures I never ever planned on sharing but my results that @the.skin.genie @skeyndor.uk have achieved with my skin are just too amazing not to share,’ Billi captioned the images on Instagram
Billi was given a skincare routine consisting of products from the brand Skeyndor (pictured are the products she shared on Instagram), which she claimed ‘transformed’ her skin
Billi added: ‘With specialist facials, sticking to my new skin care routine and reassurance from the team behind these products I stuck it out and 12 weeks later I couldn’t be happier with my results.’
Fans were quick to praise Billi for opening up about her skin struggles, offering suggestions as to what it could be and sharing their own experiences.
One person commented: ‘This is me!!! I’m at my wits end with my skin 🙁 I tried to wean myself off steroids but had to use it as my face was so angry and inflamed.’
While another said: ‘Thank you for posting this Billi I’ve suffered with perioral dermatitis for a couple of years now and I felt so alone but seeing your pictures has made me realise it can happen to anyone.’
‘Amazing healing!’ said a third, suggesting a diagnosis. ‘It’s TSW/TSA from the topical steroids.
‘You’re incredibly lucky that you’ve healed that quickly in such a short amount of time x’.
Billi’s post is her family’s latest health update after her and husband Andy Carroll revealed in July that their son Arlo had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
She shared the news as she took to her Instagram page with a heartfelt post, featuring a carousel of pictures of Arlo, giving a detailed update on his condition.
Billi shares three children with Reading F.C. striker Andy, 35. The pair welcomed their first son Arlo in 2015.
Billi shares three children with her husband, Reading F.C. striker Andy Carroll, 35 (pictured together in August 2021)
Billi and Andy revealed that their son Arlo (pictured) had been diagnosed with a life-changing chronic condition in July
She accompanied the slew of pictures with an emotional caption: ‘2 weeks ago we found out that our beautiful boy Arlo has Type 1 Diabetes
She accompanied the slew of pictures with an emotional caption: ‘2 weeks ago we found out that our beautiful boy Arlo has Type 1 Diabetes.
‘Wow there is so much to learn, lots of life changes. We’ve had amazing support from our Diabetic Team to help us learn and understand how to care for Arlo.
‘Symptoms that Arlo had (4T’s) – thirsty – thinner – tired – toilet (constantly needing to wee mostly through the night).’
She continued: ‘We’re lucky we caught it early. He’s just been fitted with G7 CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) so far it’s a game changer.
‘We couldn’t be prouder and love our little boy more he’s been so brave, happy and took it all in his stride.’
‘Me And Daddy will do everything we can to make sure your life is everything and more. Nothing will ever hold you back! We’ve got this,’ the star concluded hopefully.
