Allergic reaction from a facial

If this happens to anyone in the future, you need to tell the salon, straight up.

If in your consultation, you said you didn’t have any known allergies, then there was no contraindication (condition that may prevent treatment) to begin with, so anything prior, during or after treatment may have caused it, so part of the responsibility is on the salon, part on you, you didn’t know. This is why salons who do the right thing, are trained in their products (O/T, Dermalogica training was so fun!), can do proper skin analysis, understand skin on a professional level, and create treatment plans. They aren’t a one visit solution, you have to continue home care and possibly go back if it’s a multi-session treatment.

The whole sudden allergy thing is common. I think I’m allergic to those hair, skin & nail supplements (probably vitamin C), I had used the Swisse one for ages and it worked really well, then I switched to Nature’s Way VitaGummies HSN, and it has possibly been the Biotin and Vitamin C, I used to get rashes as a kid from too much OJ. I went off my immunosuppressants* when I had a viral infection and needed to kill it off, but my skin just went through the worst burning and itching in a while. Suddenly, I was sensitive to everything. I’ve been having facials every week when I have to be a model for a classmate and they use a scrub for “sensitive skin” that leaves my skin on fire… So yeah, sensitive =/= non-allergenic.

*Immunosuppressive drugs, including steroids and anti-rhemuatic drugs suppress the allergen response too. I take the anti-rheumatic kind.

Unfortunately you can develop an allergy to something at any time! I always had pretty normal skin that could tolerate anything.. then one day in my mid twenties I had a pretty bad reaction to a product that contained salicylic acid. Same as what you describe, needed steroid cream and antihistamines to settle down.. still took about a week to completely calm down. I now patch test EVERYTHING. But I recently took a risk and had a facial designed for sensitive skin.. and you guessed it.. had a reaction to one of the products used. It was definitely the facial that caused the reaction. I’m so used to having these reactions that I was able to identify what was happening very early and start treating it straight away so I avoided a big flare up. I informed my salon, but in a very friendly tone. My skin is just over sensitive. She was lovely and very helpful trying to pinpoint the ingredient that caused it.. unfortunately at this point I still don’t know! 🙁 Although it wasn’t the facial this time, I think good salons will always want to know if you have a reaction. On the plus side you can go back for a facial! I would definitely try and figure out the particular ingredient you’re allergic to so you can avoid it! And make sure you always have creams and tablets on hand to treat it quickly if needed.. and patch test everything. It sucks, I definitely feel for you!!

You can develop an allergy to something at any time! Even if you’ve used the product safely a number of times in the past! I’m always banging the cage to get others to do a patch test EVERY SINGLE TIME you use a hair colour – no matter how many years you’ve been successfully using the same brand.

I’m glad you’ve solved the mystery skincare junkie, but it’s a bummer that it was a product you were really enjoying (otherwise).

Thanks all for your contribution!

Since the reaction has then come back again twice. I had to take turn to stop each product I was using (and then start again after 2 weeks’ break) to see which product I am sensitised to. It turns out to be Ultraceutical Mineral Tint!

I am devastated. I really like it. I found it very strange that I was ok with it for almost 6 months and then all of a sudden I can’t tolerate it anymore!

Yes I would definately let them know, so sorry to hear about your experience. Hope your skin recovers soon.

I’ve got uncommonly tough skin, so I’ve been told multiple times by any doctor or nurse who has to give me a needle, yet I’ve had a bad reaction to two different products, one recently.

DEFINITELY tell the salon. Maybe they’ll fob you off, maybe the boss will check their inventory/supplier.

no brainer for me, I’d be a big yes!

The reasons for it is that maybe they have a bad batch of product and if you report it then maybe others will be spared the same fate. Another reason to report is to get an exact list of those ingredients and avoid them in the future – and maybe if it was a severe reaction I’d be doing a patch test with a doctor to confirm it. The first reaction you get is not the worst, it’s the second exposure that is the doozy. Might be saving yourself a big problem down the line.

Another thought, I was reading on another forum I belong to someone got injectables and instead of using a name brand like they should have someone in the office cut costs and bought Chinese knock-offs and this lady went through hell and back with reactions, infections and permanent damage. Most people were too embarrassed to report it (being a cosmetic procedure) and while they weren’t as bad as this lady they still had reactions. Her loud complaints is what bought others out and last I heard the clinic had their licence taken away and charges were supposed to be filed.

The moral I guess is that do you really know where your salon is getting there items from and the company that makes them are they following all rules and regulations?

The clinic will probably be defensive and say well maybe you did something to your face before or after the procedure and we’ve never had any other clients complain yada yada. I think if you go about it in a non-confrontational way and say you aren’t out for revenge/compensation/lawsuit etc that you just wanted to go on the record saying you had a reaction and could you at least have the batch numbers/expiry dates etc so you can avoid this happening again and avoid those ingredients.

Did you do a google search to see if anyone else reported reactions? and is your clinic an authorized distributor/user of the brand?