A woman who developed ‘catastrophic’ acne after coming off the pill at 25 has shared make-up free selfies to encourage other sufferers to embrace their skin.
Bianca Jantscher, 25, from Graz, Austria, suffered her first major flare-up in March this year, five months after she stopped taking the pill last October.
After trying a string of at-home remedies, including manuka honey masks, Bianca sought medical help and was diagnosed with acne conglobate, a rare and cystic acne.
While initially she struggled with her painful, red skin, Bianca now proudly showcases her natural beauty on Instagram in a bid to inspire others.
Bianca Jantscher, 25, pictured, developed ‘catastrophic’ acne after coming off the pill at 25. She shares make-up free selfies to encourage other sufferers to embrace their skin
Bianca, pictured with clear skin while taking the pill in 2016, told how she decided to come off the pill after growing wary of negative side-effects like mood swings
She said: ‘Any photo showing my acne in full splendour is worth posting if it encourages a young girl to love herself as God created her.
‘That’s one of those thoughts that keeps me here continuing to share my story, even though I’m still in the middle of it and that it would probably be easier to talk about it if I had already overcome the acne, or if I already knew the solution to heal it.
‘Stay true to yourself, whichever way you choose. Listen to your body, give it time and all the love you can raise because we have only one body available in this life. Go out and enjoy life, no matter what skin you’re in.’
Bianca struggled with acne early in puberty and was prescribed the pill at the age of 15.
After noticing that she had developed mood swings, Bianca decided to stop taking the pill and saw her symptoms improve.
Bianca struggled with acne early in puberty and was prescribed the pill at the age of 15. The skin condition returned (pictured) when she stopped taking the pill in October last year
After reading the side effects, Bianca decided against medication and decided to accept her acne in the hopes of being able to heal naturally. Pictured, Bianca this month
She said: ‘I would constantly feel restless and stressed. Simple things in everyday life overwhelmed me and I always had the feeling that I didn’t get everything done in time…
‘I was in a negative mood in the morning and wasn’t able to get rid of it during the day – but there wasn’t any obvious reason for my mood.
‘When I made the decision that I wouldn’t take the pill any longer, it was as if a stone was taken off my heart.
‘Although taking the pill was always my own choice for contraception, I suddenly felt relieved and at peace. After only three weeks I felt much better.’
Once she was diagnosed with acne conglobate, doctors suggested she start taking the pill again.
Bianca is speaking out in the hope of encouraging other women and girls to embrace their skin
She was prescribed various courses of cortisone pills and antibiotics in an attempt to clear her skin.
By May 2019, there had been no improvement to Bianca’s skin and it was suggested she tried isotretinoin, a drug with lots of side effects which is sometimes used to treat certain cancers.
After reading the side effects, Bianca decided against medication and decided to accept her acne in the hopes of being able to heal naturally.
She continued: ‘When I went to the doctor, I was shocked that there were no other approaches other than remedies that would have caused further damage to my body and could only perhaps improve my skin appearance for a short time.
‘I quickly learned that you must take responsibility for yourself and your own body.
‘That you must be careful and not trust everyone blindly, and you need to question everything in order to be able to understand things and to form your own opinion.’
Bianca started her Instagram page and has been proudly sharing pictures of her acne to encourage other women to love themselves for who they are. Pictured, Bianca in 2017 on the pill
Bianca started her Instagram page and has been proudly sharing pictures of her acne to encourage other women to love themselves for who they are.
After having tried clay and manuka honey face masks, Bianca is now focusing on healing her skin from the inside out through nutrition and drinks lots of herbal teas and lemon water.
She said: ‘I currently refrain from all products that support inflammation and develop acne. I currently refrain from gluten, dairy products, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, red meat, ‘nightshade’ foods like tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and eggplant, corn and sunflower oil, vinegar and sour fruit. I don’t eat heavily processed food or fast food.’
However she said the positive responses she receives from others – and the thought that she is helping other sufferers – helps her on her journey.
She added: ‘Don’t take yourself too seriously, because anyone who can laugh at themselves has already won. Don’t hide, just because you look or speak different, or pursue other goals than your fellow human beings.. Make the most of every situation.
‘Own all the feelings that life holds for you and grow a little bit with every new challenge. Leave your comfort zone – as I did when I shared my first picture with a face full of acne on Instagram.’