It started with a simple mistake. Tessica Brown, a mother from Louisiana, ran out of her usual Gots2B Glued hairspray. She needed her hair to stay down. So, she reached for a can of Gorilla Glue Spray Adhesive. It seemed like a logical swap at the time, but it sparked a viral nightmare that changed the internet forever.
People laughed. They judged.
But for Tessica, it wasn't a joke. It was a month-long ordeal where her hair was literally fused to her scalp. It felt like a helmet. It wouldn't move, wash out, or budge even after fifteen shampoos and a trip to the ER.
The Moment Gorilla Glue Girl Became a Household Name
Tessica posted her first TikTok on February 3, 2021. She looked calm but stressed. She explained that her hair had been "laid" for about a month. Not because she wanted it that way, but because she had no choice. She even tried rubbing alcohol. Nothing.
The internet exploded.
Some called it a "clout chase." Others were genuinely terrified for her. When you look at the chemistry of Gorilla Glue, you realize how dire the situation was. This wasn't just sticky stuff; it's a polyurethane adhesive designed for wood, metal, and stone. It reacts with moisture to create a permanent, waterproof bond.
Think about that. The moisture in your hair and scalp actually helps the glue set harder.
She went to the St. Bernard Parish Hospital emergency room. They tried using acetone wipes on her head. Imagine the pain. Acetone on your scalp for hours, trying to dissolve industrial-grade resin. It didn't work. It just burned her skin.
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Why We All Got Obsessed With the Glue
The fascination wasn't just about the hair. It was about the "What now?"
We've all had a beauty fail. Maybe you over-plucked your eyebrows or dyed your hair a weird shade of orange. But this was different. This was high-stakes. The medical community started weighing in. Dr. Karan Raj, a popular surgeon on social media, explained that the glue creates a literal plastic shell.
Then came Dr. Michael Obeng.
Dr. Obeng is a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon. He saw the video and realized he could actually help. He didn't just want to shave her head—which wouldn't have worked anyway because the glue was flush against the skin. He looked at the chemistry.
He spent over four hours in surgery. He used a mixture of medical-grade adhesive remover, aloe vera, olive oil, and a dash of acetone.
It worked.
The video of Tessica finally running her fingers through her hair after the procedure went viral for a different reason: relief. Pure, unadulterated relief.
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The Legal and Social Aftermath
People wondered if she would sue. Gorilla Glue actually released a statement. They were sorry it happened, but they pointed out the label says "do not use on skin or hair." It’s meant for "permanent" fixes on furniture, not bangs.
Tessica didn't end up suing, despite the rumors.
She did, however, face a wave of "Main Character Syndrome" backlash. People thought she was trying to get famous. But if you watch the original videos, she looked genuinely scared. She looked like someone who made a split-second bad decision and was paying for it in real-time.
She used her platform for good eventually. She raised money on GoFundMe, but once her surgery was covered for free by Dr. Obeng, she donated a massive chunk of the remaining funds—about $20,000—to the Restore Foundation. That's a non-profit that helps people with reconstructive surgery.
Lessons Learned the Hard Way
What can we actually take away from the "Gorilla Glue Girl" moment?
First off, read labels. Seriously. Products designed for construction have chemicals like diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate. That’s not something you want soaking into your pores.
Secondly, the "DIY" culture on social media can be dangerous. We see people doing "life hacks" every day. Most are harmless. Some involve putting industrial chemicals on your body. Tessica’s story is a permanent reminder that hair care and hardware should never mix.
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How to Actually Remove Adhesive from Hair (The Safe Way)
If you find yourself with something sticky in your hair—maybe not industrial glue, but something stubborn—don't panic.
- Oil is your best friend. Saturate the area in olive oil, coconut oil, or even baby oil. Let it sit for hours. This helps break down the bond of most common adhesives.
- Goo Gone (The Skin Safe Version). There are specific adhesive removers designed for skin. Never use the industrial version meant for "removing stickers from glass" on your head.
- Peanut Butter. It sounds like an old wives' tale, but the high oil content in creamy peanut butter can break down gum and light glues.
- Professional Help. If it’s been more than 24 hours and the hair is hard, go to a stylist or a doctor. Do not keep scrubbing. You will cause permanent follicle damage or chemical burns.
Tessica Brown eventually launched her own hair care line called "Forever Hair." It focuses on products that actually hold hair in place without, you know, needing a plastic surgeon to remove them.
It’s a bizarrely American success story. A viral mistake turned into a philanthropic gesture and a business. But mostly, it’s a cautionary tale about the power of the internet and the permanence of a 99-cent can of spray glue.
The next time you’re out of hairspray, just use a headband. It's not worth a trip to Beverly Hills for emergency surgery.
What to Do If You've Used the Wrong Product
If you or someone you know has applied an industrial adhesive to their body, stop what you are doing. Do not apply heat (no blow dryers!). Heat can cause the glue to cure even faster or release toxic fumes.
- Check the MSDS. Look up the Material Safety Data Sheet for the product online. It will tell you the specific solvent required to break it down.
- Avoid Water. For many polyurethane glues, water actually accelerates the hardening process.
- Seek Medical Consultation. If the glue is near the eyes, mouth, or covering a large portion of the scalp, go to an urgent care facility immediately.
Tessica's journey from a viral TikTok to the operating table serves as the ultimate case study in digital-age accidents. It reminds us that behind every "funny" viral video is a human being dealing with a very real, very sticky reality.