Polly Bibby, 26, experienced a severe allergic reaction to eyelash extensions just weeks before her wedding, leading to disfigurement and a trip to the emergency room. Bibby, an illustrator from Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, decided to try classic eyelash extensions for the first time to enhance her look for her upcoming wedding to fiancé Benjamin May.
Bibby underwent a patch test, which showed no adverse reaction. She proceeded with the procedure in early July, approximately two weeks before her wedding day. Initially pleased with the “dressier” appearance of her lashes, which cost about $88, Bibby soon experienced discomfort.
Within hours of the appointment, her eyes became watery and sore, symptoms she initially attributed to hay fever. However, the condition worsened, with her eyes beginning to sting and stick together due to a yellow discharge. This prompted her to seek medical attention, and she was advised to go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
At Hinchingbrooke Hospital, medical staff confirmed she had suffered an allergic reaction to the eyelash extensions. She was prescribed antibiotics and antihistamines and instructed to wait three days for the swelling to subside before having the false lashes removed. The removal process was described as excruciating, with Bibby stating it felt like “acid was being poured onto her face.”
Dr. Rebecca J. Taylor, a board-certified ophthalmologist, noted that risks associated with eyelash extensions include trauma or infection of the eyelid or cornea, allergic reactions to the glue, and potential eyelash loss. She emphasized the importance of having the procedure performed by an experienced aesthetician in a sanitary environment using safe chemicals.
Although Bibby's skin is now slowly healing, she expressed fear that her eyes would still be red on her wedding day. She shared her experience to caution other brides against undergoing such beauty treatments too close to their wedding date. Bibby stated that if she had known the potential consequences, she would have opted for mascara instead of extensions, concluding that the pain was not worth the outcome.
