Eyebrow reaction

[Mumof3andahampster]

I’m allergic to hair dye although I’ve been having my eyebrows waxed for 20 + years. Yesterday I went for an eyebrow wax to someone new and I’ve had a reaction. My eyebrows are swollen and itchy, I know this is about to get a lot worse if she has put dye on them. There was something on them afterwards but I didn’t think it was dye I just thought maybe she put some powder on them. What should I do?

I would maybe try an antihistamine if you have any.

She should have done a patch test if she did a dye. Maybe you've had a reaction to the wax? When I get my brows done there is a clear interval between the wax and the dye application.

I would also phone 111 to ask for what you should be looking out for, how long to watch for it getting worse etc. I know hair dye can take up to 48 hours to develop a reaction. (I expect you might know this as well given your experience)

She’s definitely dyed them. I’ve been having wax for years and they are noticeably darker.

Everywhere I’ve had mine done has dyed first and then waxed. The dye also goes on, you twiddle your thumbs for 5 minutes and then it gets wiped off, that doesn’t sound like what you’re describing happened?

It could be make-up, a lot of HD brow packages include optional make-up application at the end. That would be a pencil/gel/powder that you could be allergic to.

I was lying down so I’m not sure what she did although I can now see that they still a lot darker after washing them so it’s not powder as I thought too. My brows are swollen, pussing and feel like they are on fire. It’s kept me awake through last night and the redness is all down the sides of my face.

Can you go in for wax and they do dye without asking you? That sounds strange, speaking as someone with thick dark eyebrows here, and I’ve never had anything done to them.

I booked online for a wax through a system. She’s not read it properly and thought I had booked for a brow and tint.

I don't know how you wouldn't realise this at the time, it's quite obvious if you're having tint applied and then waiting for it to develop.

I would have thought exactly the same as you although I didn’t notice. I don’t know how I could be so stupid either, I was lying down with my eyes closed so I didn’t see anything and just fully trusted her. There was no ‘waiting for it to develop’ mentioned though nor did it seem like it.

Definitely take antihistamines to dampen the response. Any feeling of a blocked swollen nose or tight throat get yourself to A&E. I've underestimated my response to dyes and a related sunscreen before and ended up being admitted for anaphylaxis. I found it crept on quite slowly (not like friends who are allergic to nuts) so I didn't realise how bad I was getting despite my head swelling up!