Ms. Gao shocks China by skipping makeup removal for 22 years, faces severe skin damage
Ms. Gao, a 37-year-old woman from Jilin province, is making waves after revealing she hadn’t removed her makeup properly for 22 years. Her viral video shows the extreme consequences of neglecting skincare.
Gao started wearing makeup at 15 after trying her mother’s lipstick. She found removing makeup “too troublesome,” rinsing with water instead of using cleansers. She reapplied makeup daily, ignoring proper hygiene for over two decades.
Her skin turned swollen, inflamed, and hardened into a thick, red crust. Gao described her appearance as a “wrinkled and hideous” version of herself.
“The itch is unbearable… I don’t dare to go out or meet people,” Gao said.
Her skin’s burning, tightening, and dense red rashes drew online comparisons to Chinese deity Guan Gong, known for his crimson face. Her puffy and discolored skin made opening her eyes difficult.
Despite worsening symptoms, Gao skipped dermatologists and chose a medical aesthetics clinic. A “skin booster” injection made her skin stiff with a purple tint.
Experts question the cause, suggesting steroids or botched procedures may be factors. Some dermatologists say her condition resembles rosacea or steroid-induced dermatitis, not just poor hygiene.
The story is raising questions about beauty standards and the mental strain behind maintaining flawless skin.
No official medical statement on Gao’s condition has been released yet.
