Reality TV star Brandi Glanville suffered severe chemical burns after leaving Nair hair-removal cream on her face for seven minutes, believing the irritation would help “drive out” what she calls a facial parasite nicknamed “Caroline.”
The 52-year-old former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” cast member documented the painful results in a TikTok video, showing burns covering the lower half of her face. In the video, Glanville joked about “overdoing it” while warning viewers to always patch test depilatory products and never leave them on for extended periods.
Why did she try a depilatory on her face
In interviews, Glanville says her facial problems began about six to seven months after filming in Morocco in January 2023. Doctors diagnosed stress-induced angioedema in August, which she attributes to stress from legal battles with Bravo. The symptoms escalated quickly. In October, she collapsed at home with severe swelling and called 911. Glanville describes the condition as alternating between swelling and “sinking in.” She says she can feel it “jump” around her face and sees “tiny bubbles bursting” on her skin. She reports acidic drainage that has damaged five of her teeth.
For nearly two years, Brandi Glanville has seen multiple specialists, including infectious disease doctors, ENT specialists, and rheumatologists. She has spent between $70,000 and $113,000, including $10,000 on lab work alone. Much of that money went toward noninvasive procedures as she searched for answers. She found temporary relief through IV antibiotics that reduced the swelling, but the treatment became too costly to continue.
The ongoing medical battle took a personal toll. “I’ve been on meds this whole year. I don’t socialize. I don’t go out,” she said at the time. She dissolved all her facial fillers, trying to understand the condition better. When treatments failed, doctors considered a parasitic cause. Dr. Terry Dubrow disagrees with the parasite theory and thinks it is an infectious process. She told reporters she intentionally irritated her skin to “move” what she believed was underneath.
How calcium thioglycolate harms skin
Brandi Glanville says she left Nair on her face for seven minutes, trying to treat what she believed was a parasite. The cream uses calcium thioglycolate to dissolve hair and has a highly alkaline pH near 12, similar to bleach.
Because facial skin is thinner and has more surface blood vessels, chemicals absorb faster and burn more deeply. Doctors call this liquefaction necrosis. This is when alkali breaks down proteins and fats, and the injury can keep getting worse even after washing the product off. That is why the damage can look worse as time passes.
Why is the face at higher risk
Facial skin burns happen more easily. This is because its barrier is thinner, and it loses water faster, so chemicals soak in. “Applying Nair to the face in an attempt to treat a facial parasite is not only ineffective but potentially harmful,” says Dr. Raja Mohan, a board-certified plastic surgeon. He adds that when used off-label, these creams can “lead to significant irritation, chemical burns, inflammation, and even compromise the skin’s barrier.”
Use the right formula for the right area
Nair states its depilatories are safe when used as directed. The company instructs consumers to read all warnings, patch test before every use, follow product-specific directions, keep contact time under ten minutes, and rinse immediately at the first sign of burning or itching. They also sell formulas tailored to different body areas, including face-specific versions with stricter directions. These creams are meant for hair removal only, not for medical treatment.
These rules exist for a reason. Published case reports often describe first and second-degree chemical burns from depilatory creams, most often caused due to prolonged contact or use on sensitive sites. Case series and other medical literature link these injuries to alkali damage and support strict time limits.
Emergency rooms see the cost of DIY care
We have to consider the truth that some people who feel their condition is not being addressed turn to harsh self-treatment. Studies show that when patients feel unheard, they search online for remedies, which include household cleaners and other strong chemicals that are never meant for medical use. These attempts often lead to chemical burns and serious injuries that require emergency care. Research on self-inflicted chemical burns finds that recovery usually needs care from more than one specialty and that, without targeted support, people may repeat the behavior.
Healthcare providers stress treating both the physical injury and the underlying concerns. They recommend people with persistent health problems continue working with medical professionals rather than attempting harsh treatments. When standard treatments fail, seeking specialists in different fields provides safer alternatives.
Medical updates and expert views on diagnosis
In December 2024, Dr Terry Dubrow said a parasite was unlikely. He said the pattern suggested infection or a foreign body reaction and warned she might need six to twelve months of antibiotics. He mentioned organisms such as Mycobacterium or a fungus and called the case a “ticking time bomb,” saying delays can lead to scarring and nodules.
On March 6, 2025, Brandi Glanville shared that biopsies showed no cancer and that cultures can take about six weeks. On March 7, she wrote on X that her face felt worse than ever and had “literally melted away.” Consultations in April brought no diagnosis. In July 2025, she thanked New York infectious disease specialist Dr Michael R Scoma and said she was finally getting answers, though no official diagnosis has been shared.
Better support keeps patients safe
Glanville spent over $70K seeking answers from specialists before burning her face with hair removal cream. When doctors cannot explain severe symptoms, some patients lose more than hope and make unsafe choices. Her story shows how “we cannot find anything wrong” is heard as “nothing is wrong.” In that uncertainty, desperation becomes self-harm. Medicine excels at clear diagnoses but often fails people with mysterious symptoms, who bounce between specialists with no plan. Better support can keep them choosing care over chemicals.
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