How Fashion Helped Me Find My Confidence After Years Of Suffering From A Chronic Skin Condition

After years of struggling with hidradenitis suppurativa, Liz shares how fashion helped her embrace her true self. As told to Christa Joanna Lee.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a complicated relationship with my body. I was only six years old when I first noticed something wasn’t right. By the time I was 14, I was officially diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). HS is a chronic skin condition that causes painful abscesses and scarring, primarily in areas where skin rubs together.¹ ² ³ ⁴ I still remember the day the dermatologist told me, “There’s no cure for this. It’s going to be tough.” Hearing that as a teenager — when you’re already dealing with the typical ups and downs of that age — was devastating. The physical pain was bad enough, but the emotional toll of feeling different, disconnected, and ashamed of my body was truly overwhelming.

High school was especially rough. While most kids were exploring their identities and fashion, HS created an invisible barrier between me and the life I desired. It wasn’t just the pain or flare-ups; it was a profound sense of disconnection from others and my own body. I felt I had to hide parts of myself to fit in, and what should have been an outlet for self-expression turned into a source of anxiety. I loved bright prints and sparkles, craving bold and loud clothes. But stylish options weren’t available in my size, and tight, non-breathable fabrics exacerbated my condition. I constantly worried about drainage ruining my outfits.

There was a lot of anger there. I wanted the pain to disappear and to be understood. However, as I got older, I turned to therapy, which helped me to figure out what my bigger purpose was.

“Something inside me started to shift. I realized I didn’t have to choose between living with HS and living authentically — I could do both.”

Slowly, fashion became my way of reclaiming control over a body I had long resented. This transformation took years of trial and error to find what worked for me. Gradually, I built a wardrobe that accommodated my physical needs while allowing me to express the vibrant, creative person I had always been inside.

Finding the right clothes remains a challenge. I have to plan every outfit around my HS. What fabrics would cause irritation? What cuts could I wear without worrying about friction? Would a certain style work with my bandages or gauze? It’s exhausting, but I push through because I deserve to feel good in what I wear. I’ve learned to adapt styles I love, even if it means swapping fabrics to avoid rubbing on open abscesses or layering for drainage protection. Sometimes, it’s worth wearing an outfit that lets me shine, even if I need a few days to recover afterward.

One of my favorite pieces is this bright yellow dress — it’s light, airy, and the color is just… everything. Although I can’t wear it for long stretches due to skin irritation around my arms, I still wear it to feel unapologetically confident, even for a few hours.

A major turning point was realizing my condition could spark conversations instead of being hidden. I began wearing tank tops despite my visible scars. Instead of feeling ashamed, I embraced them. When people asked about my scars, it opened doors to discussions about HS, spreading awareness and connecting me with others on similar journeys.

“For the first time, I felt empowered by my body’s story rather than burdened by it.”

Fashion has evolved into a vital form of self-care for me. When I look good, I feel good, and that confidence boost helps me navigate even the darkest days. I won’t pretend every morning is easy; there are still times when HS makes it tough to get out of bed. But now, I have a closet full of pieces that uplift me, whether it’s my workout clothes for yoga or an outfit for a school drop-off. It’s about giving myself permission to take up space, to be seen, and to feel beautiful, even when my body doesn’t cooperate.

Today, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. HS hasn’t gone away, but neither has my passion for fashion. I dream of a more inclusive fashion industry for people like me — people who have chronic conditions but still want to feel stylish. We deserve high-quality fabrics that work for our bodies — in sizes that make us feel bold and confident, even when our bodies fight us.

To anyone who’s struggling with HS or any other chronic condition, my advice is this: You are worth the time and effort. You’re worth the fight. Take it from a girl who once dreaded prom because she couldn’t wear her dream dress. You don’t have to let your condition define you. Start from within, and work on the mental blocks keeping you from expressing yourself through fashion. You deserve to feel beautiful—no matter the battles you face.

To learn more about HS, visit https://www.makehstory.com.

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