14-07-2025
Woman's face severely swells, infected after skipping proper makeup removal for 22 years
She began wearing makeup at 15 and from that point on, she assumed that simply rinsing her face with water each night was sufficient to cleanse her skin.
Gao claimed that her face became swollen, distorted and unrecognisable. – Agency
CHINA – A 37-year-old woman from China's Jilin province has caused a stir on social media after revealing that she had not properly removed her makeup in more than 22 years.
The long-standing habit led to severe facial swelling, painful skin infections and pus-filled rashes.
The woman, known only as Gao, shared her story in a video to highlight the importance of proper skincare, particularly for those who wear makeup regularly.
Gao emphasised that she began wearing makeup at the age of 15, inspired by her mother's lipstick. From that point on, she assumed that simply rinsing her face with water each night was sufficient to cleanse her skin.
'I thought there was no need to remove makeup properly if I was going to wear it again the next day. So I'd just splash my face with water at night and apply more makeup the next morning,' she said.
Although she suffered from mild acne over the years, she claimed her skin looked normal until earlier this year when she experienced a severe allergic reaction.
Her face became swollen, disfigured and almost unrecognisable.
Instead of consulting a dermatologist, Gao sought treatment at a beauty clinic where she received 'skin booster' injections. The results were devastating, her skin turned a purplish tone and the condition worsened.
'The itching was unbearable… I stayed indoors, afraid to go out or see anyone. I felt too embarrassed to make friends.
'At one point, it felt like thousands of ants were crawling all over my face,' she said.
Gao also admitted to using cheap foundation as a teenager due to financial limitations, which she believed contributed to her skin problems.
However, dermatologists have suggested that the damage may not be solely due to poor cleansing habits.
'Not washing your face for decades is harmful, but in this case, it likely involves harmful cosmetic products, steroid misuse, or repeated unregulated injections,' one expert explained.
Gao's story has gone viral on Chinese social media platform Weibo, with mixed reactions.
While some expressed concern, others were sceptical, questioning whether unremoved makeup could truly cause such extreme damage.
Some users even accused her of fabricating the story to gain sympathy and online attention. — AGENCY
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