Teen Chantelle Currell got third degree burns and she is blaming a beauty mask
13:00, 11 February 2016
A teenager felt like her face was on fire, 'burning and blistering' her skin, and she is blaming a beauty mask.
Chantelle Currell used a well known Montagne Jeunesse face mask last week, as she has for many years.
She claims that within three minutes of applying it, she felt searing pain across her face, and the beauty company is now investigating.
A spokeswoman said: "At Montagne Jeunesse, our veggie herbalists take great care of both our planet and its inhabitants. In the ever-evolving world of beauty, we are aware that not all products suit all skin types, which is why we lovingly advise our loyal customers to test for irritancy before use.
"It has come to our recent attention that Miss Currell may potentially have had a reaction while using one of our products.
"We are yet to receive a doctor’s letter from Miss Currell and in the meantime, have offered our support to her including provision of a professional dermatologist of her doctor’s choosing, although this was offered as a kind gesture and we do not require her to take advantage of this.
"Our investigation began as soon as we were made aware of this complaint and once we have the full findings, we will report back to Miss Currell immediately.
"To date, we have sold millions of sachets of this product and it is an extremely popular part of our range with many loyal fans."
Miss Currell said: “It was agony, I immediately went to wash it off and screamed out to my partner to get some ice.”
Miss Currell, who lives in Stanhope Road, Swanscombe with partner Shane Hulott, an upholsterer, went straight to her doctor.
The health care assistant was sent her to see a burns specialist at Darent Valley Hospital on Wednesday.
“My whole face was red raw and really stinging. I was told I have third degree burns.
“I’m only allowed to put Vaseline on my face and the whole of this week people have been staring at me whenever I go out.
“It’s been awful.”
Blisters formed on her face but got infected so she ended up going to Dartford’s A&E in excruciating pain.
“They just ripped off all the blisters, they said they were all infected.
“I’ve been told I’ll be scarred for the rest of my life, and I’m only 19.”
She has vowed never to use the products again and is warning other people, especially parents, to be vigilant as these masks are targeted at younger people with ‘flavours’ like chocolate and candy floss.
“I work in healthcare and am already careful about what I used on my face. But I used to have little pampering parties with these when I was about 13 and I’ve never had a problem before.
“But I’m worried in case a child puts this on their face. It was bad enough for me, but imagine this happening to a child.
“It still hurts now, I’m taking painkillers every day. It’s Valentine’s Day this weekend, I wanted to be able to a least put a bit of make up on, but I can’t.”
Miss Currell went to Asda in Swanley, where she bough the product, to complain.
“They gave me a £1 voucher, which was just humiliating, but the worst thing was they refused to take it off their shelves.
“One of the staff even said to me it didn’t surprise him because these masks don’t have an expiration date on, it has probably been sat in the warehouse for six years.”
An Asda spokeswoman said: “We’re currently investigating and will be in touch with Ms Currell as soon as possible.”