Isabella Martin had been dyeing her hair blonde at home for 15 years and had only ever had mild reactions.
At 30, she tried Garnier Olia dark brown hair dye for the first time, using it on two front strands, but skipped the allergy test. The next day, one side of her face swelled and hives appeared on her scalp.
She went to the emergency room and was given steroids and antihistamines. That night, she returned when her eyes swelled too; her husband told her: “You don’t even look like my wife”. Isabella said she could breathe well, although her throat and face were itchy, and the swelling gradually subsided. She believes the PPD in darker shades may have triggered the reaction. Now she urges people not to skip the allergy test before dyeing their hair.