Popular eyebrow treatment leads to lung disease in two women

Both women sought medical attention upon discovering orange-red patches in their eyebrows

Digital Desk: Microblading, a popular cosmetic procedure for enhancing eyebrow appearance, has taken a distressing turn for two 33-year-old women who developed a severe lung condition afterwards. Sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease characterised by the formation of granulomas, impacts the lungs, making breathing difficult. This alarming incident, believed to be the first of its kind, raises concerns about the potential risks associated with cosmetic treatments.

Both women sought medical attention upon discovering orange-red patches in their eyebrows. One underwent microblading a year prior, while the other had the procedure six years earlier. Subsequent biopsies confirmed sarcoidosis in both cases, with chest x-rays and scans revealing its presence in their lungs and lymph nodes.

Sarcoidosis, though its exact cause remains elusive, can be triggered by factors like pesticides, irritants, and mould. Genetic predisposition may also play a role, leading to an overactive immune response that attacks the body. While there's no cure, symptoms can be managed with medication.

Treatment for the affected women involved steroid therapy, resulting in improvements such as skin lesion clearance and lung growth regression. Symptoms of sarcoidosis vary depending on the affected areas, ranging from skin rashes to breathlessness and swollen glands.

This unsettling development underscores the importance of informed consent and thorough risk assessment in cosmetic procedures. Researchers caution that microblading may have contributed to the onset of sarcoidosis in these cases, raising concerns about the safety of such treatments. As awareness grows, it becomes imperative for cosmetic clinics to prioritise patient safety and provide comprehensive information about potential adverse effects.