**WARNING! Graphic content below**.
A beauty enthusiast was left horrified after a 'traumatic' chemical peel left her looking like a character from a scary film.
Amanda Watkins decided to shell out £1800 on an intense chemical skin to give herself a more youthful glow, with the 51-year-old being particularly sensitive about the wrinkles around her eyes.
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Mum Amanda opted for a full face treatment, as well as a phenol peel around her eyes - the strongest chemical peel available - and was left aghast at the effect it had on her skin.
You can watch the video here - discretion is advised.
Despite being the pain being so bad she had to fight not to end the treatment early, the Bournemouth resident chose to carry on, and complained of horrific scabs to her skin - and compared her appearance to that of the titular character in Tim Burton's classic film, Beetlejuice.
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Explaining why she chose the extreme strength treatment, Amanda explained: "The wrinkles around my eyes were bad - my makeup would sit in the lines and I would zoom in on photos of myself and cringe.
"I asked my cosmetic doctor whether I should go under the knife to get rid of them but he suggested a peel instead so I went for it.
"It didn't swell instantly but I felt like I was badly sunburnt and my skin was really tight, then by day two it got worse and by day three I was incredibly swollen - my eyes were almost swollen shut so I could hardly see. I also started peeling really badly."
Amanda then decided to inform others of her treatment and recovery process on video sharing app, TikTok.
"I just wanted to be informative and had lots of comments saying it was a filter or makeup and a few of my videos even got taken down for being too graphic," she said.
"Lots of people said I look like Beetlejuice and I thought it was hilarious - instead of getting offended I got onboard with it.
"It was all part of the healing process and as the days passed the swelling slowly calmed down and the dead skin peeled off."
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During the treatment, the retired charity event hostess endured intense burning as a chemical solution was applied to her face to burn the top layers of skin off.
Amanda had to be monitored by her cosmetic doctor through close-up photos of her face every day following the harsh treatment because of the strength of the acid used.
She also had an in-person check-up the day after the appointment to re-apply the bright yellow antiseptic powder dusted around her scabby eyes to prevent any infections.
Amanda said: "When you first have the acid applied it's awful, it feels like your skin is on fire and then it's sore for about 12 hours.
"When I first looked in the mirror and saw my swollen face the next day I got straight on the phone to the doctor and asked him if it was normal.
"He reassured me it was and said it would get worse before it got better, which it did."
The mum-of-one stayed with and was cared for by her 25-year-old daughter, Ruby Watkins, as she was temporarily blinded by her swollen eyes for two days after the peel.
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Despite her shocking appearance, Amanda says Ruby wasn't too fazed as she's used to seeing her mum recover from other plastic surgeries, including a boob job and face lift after losing 140lbs.
Ruby also had to care intensely for Amanda, who was effectively left housebound by the process.
"f I did pop out I would have to cover myself in medical grade factor 50 sunblock and put a big hat and sunglasses on," Amanda explained.
"The doctor said he usually does this treatment in the winter so I had to promise him that I would stay out of the sun for six months - I had sunblock caked on like Tipex just to go from the door to the car in the first week.
"I wasn't allowed to pick at the skin because that would cause scarring or remove the yellow antiseptic power around my eyes for risk of infection."
However, Amanda, does not regret the procedure - now, a month on from the peel, saying she now has fresh and glowing skin.
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"Women considering a peel need to see how traumatic the healing process is so I posted about it on TikTok just to be informative," she said.
"For me it was one-hundred-percent worth it - compared to going under the knife it was a doddle and that would've cost about £10,000, so I have no regrets whatsoever. I never realised how haggard I looked until I saw the before and after photos - I've got no wrinkles now and I'm absolutely over the moon with the results.
"If you're happy in your skin that's wonderful but it's nice to have a choice - I believe in self love but if something is affecting your confidence go and treat yourself."
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