Love Island’s Olivia Bowen displays her psoriasis in before and after snaps

Olivia Bowen bravely displayed her psoriasis in before and after images shared on Thursday.

The Love Island star, 27, who was diagnosed with the condition when she was 17, took to Instagram Stories to reveal the patches across her stomach have settled with prescription cream. 

In her candid post, the influencer admitted her 10-year battle leaves her feeling ‘terribly insecure’ at times as she deals with flare-ups which can last up to four months.

The media personality updated fans on how her skin has healed over the past week, writing: ‘Progress!!! Last week they were sooo raised, angry, red & itchy. 

‘A week on and they’re becoming lighter & less angry! I went to the doctors & was prescribed cream So fingers crossed!’ (sic)

The reality star further detailed her challenging journey alongside a picture showing the current state of her abs as she explained: ‘A few of you catching up, this is called guttate psoriasis. 

‘I have had it a couple times before, I’ve had it like this (all over my body head to toe once before when I was 17. It usually stays with me around 3/4 months. Some days it’s horrible & painful & makes me feel terribly insecure.  

‘Other days I pick myself up & remind myself there are many many things worse than a wee skin condition, and that’s what I hold onto! It’s just skin, who I am is important.’ (sic)

The Exempt Society CEO also shared why she wouldn’t be revealing the name of her prescription cream as she added: ‘it is prescribed & very strong so it would be irresponsible for me to suggest out to everyone & anyone. 

‘All I can say is definitely definitely contact your doctors and go throughout them. It really is worth it, it’s not embarrassing, it’ll help.’ (sic)

Last month, the TV star reminded her followers they should take her glamorous posts ‘with a pinch of salt.’

The blonde also revealed she shared the post to ask for fans’ help in locating a sunbed-for-rent as the UV lights were the only thing that treated her patches.

Psoriasis occurs when a person’s skin replacement process takes place within days rather than the usual 21-to-28 days.

The accumulation of skin cells builds up to form raised plaques, which can be flaky, scaly and itchy.

Olivia’s social media activity came after she discussed her plans to start a family in an exclusive interview with MailOnline, admitting she’s currently focusing on her career.

The businesswoman said: ‘We were thinking about having kids soon, we do still think ‘oh yeah we would love to have a child’ but with my TV show, Second Chance Dresses, pushed back until next year, I’m going to have to be away a lot in New York.

‘As the timings have all changed, and we’re both really busy with our careers, we’re just really happy with where we are right now. I also recently purchased a horse so that’s puts a spanner in the works and it has been keeping me really busy.’  

Olivia and her husband Alex, 29, met on the second series of Love Island in 2016 and finished as runners up, tying the knot in September 2018.