Texas-based health and fitness vlogger Chemese Armstrong, 35, is recovering from a horrifying experience with hair dye.
Armstrong is allergic to paraphenylenediamine or PPD, which is found in most hair dyes. Her dermatologist suggested she use something like henna instead. She was told it was natural and chemical-free. What she didn't realize was that there was still PPD in henna and had a bad allergic reaction.
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"On Saturday, March 5, 2016 I had an allergic reaction to having my hair dyed with Henna. This was done at a hair salon in Austin.," Armstrong wrote.
She shared photos on Instagram showing her swollen face.
"I'm fully aware of what these pictures look like. I had to endure this nightmare. If you do not have anything nice to say please keep strolling," Armstrong wrote. "I want to let everyone that pray for me or send me well-wishes know what was going onI was in severe pain from my scalp burning and itching with my face completely's swollen to the point I was unrecognizable. The most scary part about this whole thing is that my eyes was completely swollen shut where I couldn't see for 2 days."
She had her friend drive her to the emergency room where doctors gave her medicine. She was sent home with more medication and an EpiPen, in case of another allergic reaction.
A few days after she had her hair dyed, she started to look herself again.
Armstrong published a video on her YouTube channel with an update on her condition, which was posted March 14.
"I am doing a whole lot better. I'm not 100 percent yet, but I'm doing a whole lot better," she said.