Bride’s Dream Turns Into Nightmare After Allergic Reaction to Eyelash Extensions
A bride-to-be’s attempt to enhance her wedding day look took an unfortunate turn when she suffered a severe allergic reaction to eyelash extensions. Polly Bibby, 26, an illustrator from the UK, wanted to feel like a princess on her special day and decided to try eyelash extensions, a step away from her usual minimal makeup style.
Before going through with the treatment in July, she had a patch test that showed no reactions. Satisfied, she paid about $88 for the procedure, hoping it would give her a “dressier” appearance. However, within hours, her eyes started to water and feel sore. She initially dismissed the symptoms, thinking they might be related to seasonal allergies.
But as her eyes began to sting and even stuck together due to discharge, Bibby realized something was wrong. She contacted an urgent care line, which advised her to visit the nearest emergency room.
At Hinchingbrooke Hospital, doctors confirmed she had an allergic reaction to the eyelash glue. They treated her with antibiotics and antihistamines and advised her to wait three days for the swelling to subside before removing the false lashes.
Medical experts emphasize the importance of having eyelash treatments done by trained professionals in a clean environment, stating that the risks include damage to the eyes, infection, and even the possibility of losing eyelashes.
Even though her eyes are slowly healing, Bibby was concerned they would still look red on her wedding day to her fiancé, Benjamin May. She has decided to share her story to caution other brides considering similar beauty treatments.
“I don’t wear much makeup,” Bibby explained. “I just wanted to feel special for the biggest day of my life.” She had never tried eyelash extensions before and referred to the test as a “trial run.”
However, just hours after her appointment, her partner noticed that her eyes were becoming increasingly red. “By that evening, they were raw and burning,” she recalled, likening her appearance to Sloth from “The Goonies.” “I just didn’t look like myself,” she added.
Her eyes were so swollen that she struggled to see, experiencing a “sticky yellow discharge” that reminded her of conjunctivitis. Medical staff were shocked by the severity of her reaction.
Removing the eyelashes was a painful process for her. “It felt like acid was being poured on my face,” she described. Now, with red, swollen eyelids and blurred vision still lingering, she reflects on her experience as a cautionary tale.
“I didn’t expect this to happen to me,” she said. Ahead of her wedding, Bibby announced, “I won’t be getting eyelash extensions. If I could go back, I’d just use mascara.”
She expresses her hope that sharing her story will prevent other brides from facing a similar ordeal. “I’d hate for anyone else to go through this,” she concluded.
