A routine beauty salon visit resulted in a model experiencing severe facial swelling and vision impairment due to an allergic reaction to hair dye. The incident, which required hospital treatment, highlights the risks associated with paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a common chemical found in hair colorants.
The model, Penelope Chloe, who works as a model and influencer, described her face swelling to the point where her eyes were barely open, affecting her ability to see. Her career depends on her appearance, making such reactions particularly detrimental.
Penelope Chloe is among the estimated one in 20 people in the UK with a contact allergy to PPD. This chemical is present in many hair dyes and tints and is combined with peroxide to bleach and lighten hair. For those with the allergy, contact with PPD triggers an overreaction of the immune system, leading to severe inflammation and swelling.
She recounted three previous incidents involving PPD. The first occurred in her early twenties when she used an at-home brow tint kit. Failing to read the instructions properly, she bypassed the recommended patch test. An initial tingling sensation escalated to intense itching, followed by blistering, weeping sores, and swelling that distorted her facial features. It took approximately three weeks for the swelling to subside and the scabs to heal.
Six months later, a reaction occurred after her hair extensions were dyed. Despite informing the salon of her allergy and being assured the dye would not touch her scalp, a small amount of dye dripped onto her temple near her hairline. Within a day, she experienced blistering and swelling on her forehead and around her eye, which quickly spread to the rest of her face, again requiring emergency medical attention.
Four years prior to the most recent incident, a lash lengthening and lifting treatment also resulted in a reaction. Although she specified that only the lifting agent should be used due to her allergies, the dye was mistakenly applied. This led to her eyelashes falling out and weeping sores that irritated her eyes. An adrenaline shot was administered, and she was warned of the potential for a fatal anaphylactic shock in the future.
Following these experiences, Penelope Chloe conducted proper patch tests with a hairdresser to identify the exact cause of her reactions. Health authorities and hairdressers universally recommend patch testing 48 hours before any dye treatment, even for products previously used, as allergies can develop at any time.
After posting images of her reaction on social media, many hairstylists have inquired about sharing the photos as a warning to clients who skip patch tests. Penelope Chloe expressed her willingness to serve as a cautionary example to raise awareness about the issue.
At 27, Penelope Chloe is now seeking alternative methods to cover her natural grey hairs, which have become more prominent and affected her confidence. She is considering natural henna but plans to consult an experienced colorist and will ensure a patch test is performed beforehand. The UK hair colorants market was valued at an estimated 434 million pounds in 2024, underscoring the widespread use of these products.