In a shocking incident, two women developed a serious lung condition after going through a microblading process for their eyebrows.
According to the Sun, the two women, both 33-year-old, developed a serious lung disease called systemic sarcoidosis, an autoimmune condition, after microblading their eyebrows. This is the first case reported by doctors in which the patients developed serious conditions after a cosmetic treatment.
The doctors in Slovenia shared the details of the cases and exhorted the beauticians to provide better services in notifying the clients regarding the potential health risks associated with microblading.
According to Wikipedia, microblading is a tattooing technique. It uses a small handheld device tool made up of tiny needles to add a semi-permanent pigment to the skin. This technique is used on eyebrows to enhance, create, or change their appearance in shape and color.
The women, both 33, consulted their doctors after observing orange-red plaques in their eyebrows. One woman had microbladed her eyebrows a year before, and another woman went through the procedure six years ago. After biopsies, it was found that both had sarcoidosis, and chest X-rays and scans confirmed that the disease had also affected the lungs and lymph nodes.
According to the Mayo Clinic, sarcoidosis is a disease distinguished by the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells called granulomas in any part of the body. Most commonly, it affects the lungs and lymph nodes. It can affect heart, skin, eyes, and other organs. The cause of this condition is unknown. However, the experts believe that it is due to the body's immune system's response to an unknown substance. Some research proposes that infectious agents, chemicals, dust, and a potential abnormal reaction to the body's own proteins could be responsible for the formation of granulomas in genetically predisposed people. There is no cure for this condition, which can be managed with medication.
Dr. Manoj Goel, Director and Unit Head, of Pulmonology, at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said that there are only a couple of reports, but they need more evidence that microblading causes sarcoidosis.
Allergic reactions, infections, and scarring are the general complications involved in microblading. It is imperative to consider the potential benefits against the risks and seek advice from a healthcare professional before making a decision.
Dr. Goel said that while there is no cure for sarcoidosis, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications, and medications like corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and anti-inflammatory drugs are often used to control inflation and alleviate the symptoms.
Both women received the treatment and responded well. The first woman received steroids for two years. During the treatment, her skin lesions and lung growth regressed, and the second woman was also treated with steroids and showed improvement in the first year of treatment.
The doctors wrote the same reports in the Journal of Medical Case Reports and were notified that microblading might have triggered sarcoidosis in these cases. They underscore the significance of informing both medical professionals and beauticians who provide microblading concerning this potential risk. They also stated that even though this appears to be a rare side effect, patients should be made fully aware of this risk before undergoing the procedure.
Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune condition that can affect any part of the body. The signs and symptoms vary depending on which organ it affects. The symptoms include fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, weight gain, pain and swelling in joints, persistent dry cough, chest pain, red rash or reddish-purple bumps, growths under the skin, blurred vision, eye pain, severe redness, and irregular heartbeats.
Microblading. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Microblading&oldid=1213848577
Sarcoidosis—Symptoms and causes. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved May 6, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sarcoidosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350358
(Input from various sources)
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