how do i feel confident with an asymmetrical face

[kass1234]

i never noticed that my face was asymmetrical,i started to noticed it when i would look at myself in the mirror for a period of time or when other people noticed it and told me about it ive made myself feel so bad about the way i look. i dont want other people to look at me and notice it i avoid looking at myself in a mirror because i dont want to look at myself i feel ugly, people in my family always remind me of the way i look to them. ive made my myself feel little im always trying to avoid people because i dont want to look at anyone and have them notice what i already know.

[SamChangingFaces Partner]

Hi kass1234, Welcome to the Changing Faces forum and thank you for sharing your worries with us. I'm sorry to hear things are difficult for you right now - it sounds like your feelings about your appearance are making you feel really distressed and lonely. It's great you're reaching out to talk about it and there may be other people here who may share similar experiences to you.

Take care.

Sam

[Chantev]

Hi kass, I know Exactly that feeling of being different and having a lopsided face. I used to be a pretty girl until Bells Palsy struck. I wanted the earth to open so that it would swallow me. My face is still not right after 10 years but I remember only too well the way people eyes averting when our eyes met.

Fortunately I have a strong character and refused to be felt a victim and decided to adopt a strategy that would make me feel good about myself and deflect the attention from my face. I sought a sharp and glamorous hairstyle (my hairdresser has been a great help). She gave me a fantastic asymmetrical haircut the left side of my face which was affected was strategically covered. It showed less of my distortion. I also make sure never to be seen without having impeccably made my face up, wear a bright red lipstick and wear some very nice perfume. I joined the gym and do regular classes and the ladies in the class always commented how I always have a glamorous haircut.

With time you become less conscious of your face and become kinder to yourself, it’s not easy, but when I see people looking at me, I stare back at them and make them feel embarrassed for staring at me. It has subsided a bit but nevertheless it’s still present and I have embraced the wearing of masks during this Covid pandemic as a life saver. I used to wear nice silk scarves round my neck loosely to cover my mouth in normal time. I know the beauty is from the inside cliché, but take care of your appearance too, examine how you look in the mirror and see a very smart reflection Create a wow factor at the whole picture. I keep positive and remind myself that there are people worse of than a lopsided face, I met some girls from Katie Piper’s charity, they show great positivism. and have a great admiration how she has turned her life around. I may not have the same facility of cosmetic surgery, but that does not deter me..

I attended an outpatient clinic at Oxford NHS trust which I came across in my research. It specialised in Bell’s palsy sufferers Asked my doctor to refer me and have been having Botox injections, and facial therapy until I decided I did not want any more injections as I grew stronger and embraced my appearance. I thought if people were so shallow to judge me according to how I look, they are not worth bothering with.

I will never have 100% my old Face back but life is too short to wallow in my self pity. Lift your head high and tell yourself that you are what you are and go out here and face the world. You may find after you made some change in your lifestyle you will come to accept yourself and move on.

You have my best wishes and all my sympathy. Hope you find the courage in your heart to love yourself for who you are and not what you look like.

Take care and invest in yourself.

Chante

[FearIsALiar in reply to Chantev]

That is a great way to look at it.