Giorgia Frost on cover of British Skin Foundation leaflet

Giorgia Frost has suffered from acne since eight years of age

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Miss Lancashire finalist Giorgia Frost has made the front page of the latest British Skin Foundation (BSF) booklet after attending a glitzy event in London on Thursday 13 October.

Giorgia, 18, from Castleton, was included in the booklet after raising funds and awareness for the charity when she held the Junior Miss Bolton and Bury 2015/16 pageant title.

The BSF is the UK’s only charity dedicated to research into skin disease, from acne and eczema to psoriasis and skin cancer.

The charity is one close to Giorgia, as she has suffered from acne since the age of eight. By the age of 11, it covered her entire upper body except for her forearms. Three years ago, she was diagnosed with severe cystic aggressive acne.

“I sought a lot of medical advice and tried every single type of prescribed and prescribed medications, creams or washes whilst battling to get to see a dermatologist,” she says.

She added: “I have had hundreds of medications for it, including a six month course of Roaccutane which are supposed to clear your skin for good in 96% of cases. However, my acne came back.”

Roaccutane is highly controversial due to the severe side effects and has been linked with a number of suicides over the years. Giorgia says she avoided the most severe side effects, but still experienced dry eyes, thinning and dry lips, skin and hair, and nose bleeds.

She explained: “I still suffer with thin nails and bruise prone skin today. Retinoids [like Roaccutane] are supposed to keep you acne free for the rest of your life, but I was one of the unfortunate ones.

“After about two months clear, mine came back on my face, neck and back. I tried other washes and medications before ending up on the strongest antibiotic for acne, Trimethoprim, combined with a retinoid facial gel in spring last year.

“I came off the tablets in July this year as my skin has improved rapidly, but I still get at least two massive breakouts a month. I’ve been left with very bad scarring, but it’s only visible close up.

“There were times when it hurt to lie down because the spots were so bad. I’d get what I used to call ‘acne headaches’ because of it.”

Giorgia’s story was publicised across the UK, Europe, Tokyo and part of America.

Speaking about her experiences, she said: “I continued to publicise ‘My Acne Story’ and did videos and bare faced photos in the hope of inspiring other people to follow their dreams too, not letting the media and acne itself get you down or stop you.

“Not even my closest friends knew how bad it really was and I wanted to show you shouldn’t let something like that hold you back from doing what you want. I achieved something I never thought I would have done.”

Giorgia went on to win Junior Miss Bolton and Bury in 2015, and decided to use her title to share her experiences. She had entered the pageant twice previously, having aspired to model since she was young.

“I was always knocked back because I didn’t have the perfect skin. The Miss England motto is all about being a beautiful person on the inside, having a smile on your face no matter what. That’s one of the things I have always had, a big cheesy smile. I really enjoyed my first pageant when I was 13; I wasn’t judged on having bad skin,” she said.

Giorgia also completed the Big Fun Run in August this year, raising more than £200 for the BSF in the space of two weeks.

She went on to compete at the 2016 Miss Lancashire pageant in Preston earlier this month.