Beauty Vlogger Posts Microblading Allergic Reaction Video to YouTube Channel
While microblading may be a trendy way to get flawless brows sans makeup, the procedure is not without its risks. (Just last week, news broke that one woman's discount microblading resulted in a trip to the ER.) And as Allure reports, this doesn't just happen to people outside of the industry: Beauty YouTuber Alissa Ashley's latest video, posted on Monday, confirms exactly that.
In "My Microblading Experience," where she chronicles her journey undergoing the semi-permanent treatment Alissa explains that the procedure "definitely did not end up how I thought it was going to end up." She fully discloses that she received the service with Piret Aava, CPCP (certified permanent cosmetic professional), (better known by her @eyebrowdoctor moniker on Instagram) free of charge, and that her objective isn't too smear Aava's reputation.
Over the course of the 13-minute video, Alissa dutifully vlogs her entire experience from start (having a makeup artist fill in her brows to mimic the desired shape) to the aftermath of the procedure. After the procedure, she explains how she followed the at-home care instructions, but reveals that the next day "something looked different."That something turned out to be intense puffiness along the browbone, which looked visibly swollen against her naturally hooded eyes. Hours pass as she documents the progress, but the swelling and redness around the area doesn't subside.
"I wasn't expecting that reaction, but I guess that may be a side effect or part of the healing process," Alissa explained in her video, before trying OTC allergy medications to reduce swelling. "I'm just getting kind of sad because [my eyelids are] starting to feel heavy and not very comfortable."
From there, things only get worse. Around the 6:50 mark, she shows her viewers her eyelids, which have swelled to the point where she couldn't even feel a sense of touch. "I'm kind of in disbelief that this is even happening right now," she says, before making her way to the emergency room.
"Omg girl you are unrecognizable in the thumbnail 😰" wrote one commenter, while others took the opportunity to complement her gorgeous natural hair ("Your curls are popping though."), and leave encouraging messages like, "so glad you're ok. 💓." And while according to a comment by Alissa herself, she's not looking for pity, and the worst part of the experience was not being able to film new videos. "Stuff like this happens and it definitely could've been worse!" she writes. "It did suck but I'm glad its better now and I can be back to being productive because truthfully that was the most frustrating part of all of this."
According to Alissa, the allergic reaction she experienced "pushed" out the ink from the microblading procedure, leaving her with virtually the same brows she had prior to the procedure — something that is far from a complaint, given that effects could have been far more severe and long-lasting. Alissa noted that the allergy had nothing to do with the hygiene or cleanliness of the place, but suggested that everyone get a patch test just in case.
"Since microblading involves breaking the skin, there is a risk of infection or scarring, and reactions to the ink are also possible," New York City dermatologist Sejah Shah, M.D. explained. "If someone is experiencing a reaction, it is best to seek the care of a board-certified dermatologist for evaluation and treatment."
"While microblading is an amazing experience for most people, allergies do occur, most commonly due to a reaction to triple-antibiotic cream, such as Neosporin," Aava told Teen Vogue about Alissa's experience. "In terms of the act of microblading, we ensure everything we use is sterile and/or disposable. Furthermore, we work with every client to ensure they're educated about strict aftercare rules, as open wounds are also prime for infection. A safe and enjoyable process is our number one priority."
Alissa's final lesson? "I'm going to just be grateful for my little, thin brows and call it a day," she says. "I'll just continue to fill them in with my pencils and pomades because I will never, ever do that to myself again."
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Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out:This Woman's Discount Microblading Experience Left Her With a Major Infection
