The Malaysian marketing director described her pregnancy as an emotional rollercoaster, especially following a previous miscarriage. However, she was unprepared for the physical transformations, particularly the changes to her skin.

"My usual skincare routine suddenly stopped working. Every morning, I'd wake up with new pustules, and my skin felt as raw and itchy as a sunburn," she recalled.

28-year-old Farah Faizal's face shortly after giving birth (left) and two months postpartum (right). Photo: Sinardaily

28-year-old Farah Faizal's face shortly after giving birth (left) and two months postpartum (right). Photo: Sinardaily

These changes began even before Farah knew she was pregnant. By the 4th month, her condition worsened, with deepened wrinkles and frown lines making her appear older. The changes in her appearance significantly impacted her mental well-being and eroded her self-confidence.

"I felt devastated and kept asking myself, 'Why me?'", Farah said.

The emotional distress led Farah to avoid going out without a face mask. However, her husband's constant reassurance, "It's only temporary, you'll be beautiful again soon", provided comfort.

Farah initially avoided consulting a dermatologist, believing treatment options during pregnancy were limited. Through her own research, she concluded that hormonal changes were the primary cause. "Understanding it was part of pregnancy made it easier to accept," she explained.

Reflecting on her experience, Farah hopes to raise awareness about the lesser-known aspects of pregnancy. "Pregnancy is more than just a cute bump. Women go through so many physical, emotional, and mental changes and need support," she shared.

Farah Faizal had smooth skin and a delicate face before pregnancy. Photo: @ayyitslala

Farah Faizal had smooth skin and a delicate face before pregnancy. Photo: @ayyitslala

Dermatologist Zachary Rubin (Malaysia) suggests Farah may have experienced rosacea fulminans (pyoderma faciale), a rare and severe form of rosacea.

"It's a condition characterized by large, red papules erupting across the face, typically affecting young women. It has a sudden onset and can develop during pregnancy," Doctor Rubin explained. He noted that due to its rarity, there's no standardized treatment, but antibiotics and steroids have proven effective in some cases.

Postpartum, Farah is receiving treatment at dermatology clinics, and her skin has shown significant improvement. In response to negative comments about her appearance, she affirmed, "Real skin has texture. Real people change. I'm a human, not a Barbie doll".

To expectant mothers, Farah offers this message: "You are not alone. Don't be too hard on yourself; this too shall pass".

Quynh Nguyen (Sinardaily, Hindustantimes)