This is a tricky situation everywhere.
Louisiana woman Tessica Brown, 40, has gone viral for the past week after turning to her social media followers for help undoing her ‘forever ponytail. She had her regular hairspray on when she finished her look a few weeks earlier, so she used Gorilla Spray Adhesive from Gorilla Glue – and now she can’t get the industrial adhesive off her head.
“My hair has been like this for about a month now. It is not by choice. No, it’s not by choice, ” she says in the video that has been viewed 21 million times on TikTok and about 3 million times on Instagram FB,
in the past week. She revealed that she had washed her hair 15 times, but the glue just wouldn’t come off.
My hair doesn’t move. Do you hear what I’m telling you? It. Do not. Get moving, ”she adds. Subsequent reports have shown her trying to loosen it up with a mixture of tea tree oil and coconut oil, which she called an “ epic failure, ” as well as a trip to the St. Bernard Parish Hospital Emergency Room in Chalmette, La., Whatever was apparently unsuccessful.
Although she didn’t reveal any details about her hospital visit on her post – other than a tearful emoji – sources told TMZ she reportedly spent 22 hours in the ER. According to the report, health workers tried putting acetone on the back of her head to break up the adhesive, but it burned her scalp and only made the glue tacky before it hardened again.
Gorilla Glue initially responded to one of her videos on Twitter by suggesting that she use warm water and rubbing alcohol to remove the adhesive, noting, “We do not recommend using our products in her as they become permanent. considered. ” The product page suggests removing dried adhesive using “mechanical means” such as scraping the adhesive away without damaging the surface underneath. And in the first aid guidelines, it is recommended to rinse the adhesive off the skin with water or to call poison control if swallowed. It also includes an emergency medical number at 800-420-7186.
As more and more viewers, including Chance the Rapper, have become invested in Brown’s ongoing efforts to remove the adhesive from her hair, Gorilla Glue followed with a statement shared via the official Twitter TWTR,
account.
“We are very sorry to hear about the unfortunate incident Miss Brown experienced when she used our Spray Adhesive on her hair,” the company says. It describes this as a “unique situation” and emphasizes that the product is not indicated for use on hair, and that the label warns against getting this product in the eyes, on the skin, or on clothing.
“We are pleased to see in her recent video that Miss Brown has received medical treatment from her local medical facility and wish her the best,” added Gorilla Glue.
While some initial reactions have been eerie or mock the situation, Brown’s struggle to save her scalp has drawn a wave of empathy and support, especially among black women who have come forward to describe the complicated relationship they have with their hair in a society that has discriminated. against natural and structured hairstyles. Essence writer Candice Benbow describes this in her column, “Tessica Brown Isn’t The ‘Gorilla Glue Girl,’ She’s A Black Woman Who Deserves Empathy,” that “Many of us tortured our hair to comply.”
“Maybe all that history is what has tied so many of our hearts to Tessica’s plight,” she adds. “We may never have used an industrial product for styling purposes, but we have done things with our hair and we wish we hadn’t done that with ourselves. We were loved by her because we know what it’s like to be judged for the biggest mistake you made. ”
The View co-host Sunny Hostin has a similar view, and many other followers have also agreed to support Brown.
Beyonce’s stylist, Neal Farinah, has also offered his help and services for her through Instagram. “We [are] don’t keep bringing her down. Let’s help her! He writes. “If she leaves the hospital when she needs a wig or has to take care of her scalp, I’ll be there for her.”
TMZ reports that Brown has hired a lawyer and is considering her legal options. While the Gorilla Spray Adhesive label warns against use on eyes, skin, or clothing, there is no mention of hair, which sources close to the situation say Brown feels is “deceptive.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser set up to cover her medical expenses has also drawn $ 14,000 and counts.