Exclusive:
Personal stylist Sandy Lancaster, 56, from London, developed eczema four years ago, but it became unbearable to the point she almost scratched her eyes out
I first developed eczema four years ago, during one of the most stressful times in my life. My husband was in intensive care with Covid and, while I had never had eczema before, it suddenly appeared. Since then, it flares up seemingly without reason. I’ve tried to work out the triggers – is it weather-related, food-related, pollen or environmental?
As a colour analyst and personal stylist, my job is to help others feel confident, embrace their authentic style and build their self-esteem. Yet eczema challenges my own body confidence. My flares often start on my left eyelid or behind my ear. On bad nights, I’ve even scratched my cornea in my sleep, resulting in multiple visits to the optician and eye hospital.
My husband jokes that I should wear baby mittens to bed! Determined to take control, I began using a personal nutrition app this year to guide small changes to my diet, and I now rely on a kefir-based cream rather than steroids. Some days, I have no choice but to wear my eczema visibly. A woman once called me brave for that – but to me, it’s simply another step in learning to live fully. I’m determined not to hide it and often use it in my sessions with clients to show that we all have things we’d love to change.
The night I was told I was brave, it was unsolicited from someone who doesn’t know me, in the ladies’ loos. They thought that’s what I needed to hear to give me confidence.
Bravery, when it comes to body or face issues, is about embracing and celebrating one’s unique physical characteristics – accepting oneself wholly, including imperfections and perceived flaws, and choosing self-love and confidence over self-doubt.
