Mum's Face Balloons After Ignoring Patch Test

A 30-year-old mother experienced a severe allergic reaction to Garnier Olia hair dye, causing her face to swell to nearly double its normal size. Isabella Martin, who had previously dyed her hair blonde for years with only minor reactions, decided to color her hair dark brown for the first time. She skipped the patch test, a decision she later regretted. Within 24 hours of applying the dye, her face began to swell, leading to a hospital visit where she received steroids and antihistamines. However, her swelling worsened, making her unrecognizable to her own husband.

Despite being treated, Isabella's symptoms persisted for several days, with her face and eyes remaining swollen and itchy. She suspects the reaction was to PPD, a common ingredient in darker hair dyes. Sharing her experience online, she likened her appearance to characters from animated films. Isabella now strongly advises the public to always conduct a patch test before coloring their hair, emphasizing that delayed reactions are possible, even after years of prior use. She acknowledges her mistake and the potential dangers of skipping this crucial step.