For years, severe eczema dictated Michelle Hong’s wardrobe and impacted her confidence, making her hide her skin. But by actively managing her condition, she found freedom to wear what she wants and rediscover her joy. This is her inspiring story of overcoming flares, boosting self-esteem, and embracing life comfortably in her own skin. Key takeaways: Eczema affects more than skin, impacting mental health and daily life; managing triggers like stress is crucial for improvement; taking a holistic approach beyond just topical treatment can lead to significant transformation.
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The Struggle: Hiding Skin and Self
Imagine having a skin condition so bothersome it changes how you dress every day. For Michelle Hong, who has dealt with eczema since childhood, things got particularly challenging a few years ago. Flare-ups became severe, forcing her to swap her usual athletic wear, like leggings and tank tops, for baggy jackets and sweatpants. Dresses were pushed to the back of her closet; even the idea of finding a wedding gown felt daunting because she couldn’t imagine wearing a design with thin straps or an open back.
“I wanted to look good and feel good every day, but that just wasn’t the case with eczema,” she recalls. Everything felt tight and itchy, chipping away at her confidence. At one point, she felt ashamed to show her skin at all. This was especially difficult as a figure skater, a sport where appearance is often highlighted. Beyond external judgment, her skin issues resurfaced old emotional health struggles, making her want to hide even more.
Living with intense flares brought back difficult feelings similar to past body image issues. “During a big flare-up, the same feelings would come up as I had with my eating disorder,” she says, describing a sense of numbness and neglecting self-care. She focused on others, while her own physical and mental health battles left her feeling limited.
Summers were particularly tough. In San Francisco, her heavy, oversize clothing made her hot and sweaty, which only worsened her already irritated skin. She yearned to wear light, fashionable items like halter tops, bikinis, and sleeveless dresses. The more these clothes remained unworn, the harder it felt to truly express herself. This realization spurred Michelle to take serious steps toward improving her condition, starting with her inner well-being.
The Turning Point: Taking Charge of Skin Health
Ready to take control, Michelle first visited her doctor. However, having heard stories about negative side effects from steroid treatments, she was looking for alternative options. Her dermatologist recommended a different type of treatment specifically approved for eczema, but Michelle understood this was just one piece of a larger puzzle.
She recognized that stress was a major trigger for her flare-ups. This led to a significant decision: taking time away from work to mentally decompress. “I’d been focusing on productivity and pushing myself, and I had to confront what that had been doing to me,” she explains. Acknowledging stress’s role was a crucial step in her slow but steady healing journey.
Michelle also began exploring different skincare approaches, particularly focusing on Korean skincare methods. Instead of just quickly applying a heavy cream and avoiding the mirror, she started a routine that felt like nurturing her skin. This process was more than just finding products that worked; the effort itself made her feel more self-appreciative. It reinforced the idea that she was worth the time, investment, and self-respect needed for proper care.
Another key tactic was becoming more aware of how her body reacted to specific things in her environment and food. An allergy test after her eczema diagnosis revealed mold was a major trigger. She even discovered a moldy piece of luggage under her bed contributing to the problem. While she avoided restrictive elimination diets due to past eating disorder concerns, she did pay close attention to how different foods seemed to affect her skin and overall emotional state.
As she better managed her stress and diligently practiced self-care through these various methods, the multilayered effort began to pay off. Her eczema flares became less frequent and less severe. Slowly but surely, those dresses, tank tops, and bikinis made their way out of the closet. With every outfit choice that included items she once couldn’t wear, Michelle felt a little more free and more like herself.
Michelle Hong smiling in her dream wedding dress, comfortable and confident after managing eczema flares
In 2024, Michelle reached a significant milestone: getting married in the dress she had dreamed of – complete with string straps and a fitted design. Wedding videos capture her dancing, laughing, and fully embracing the moment, comfortable and joyful in her own skin.
Finding Freedom
Michelle’s journey highlights how managing a chronic condition like eczema is about more than just skin deep. It involves understanding triggers, finding effective treatments, prioritizing mental well-being, and practicing self-care.
“Being able to truly express yourself in every way, including fashion, carries such freedom,” Michelle shares. For anyone navigating the challenges of eczema, this transformation isn’t taken for granted; it’s a powerful journey of reclaiming joy, confidence, and the ability to live fully and comfortably.
