I’m an eye surgeon – here’s all the ways your false eyelashes can harm your health | The Sun
IT'S Christmas party season and the festive fun is just getting started.
But one doctor has issued some eye-watering health warnings that you might want to consider when getting ready for all those nights out out.
You probably don't think twice about adding a pair of false eyelashes to complete your look.
Or perhaps, you're more of a fan of a lash extension?
Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, cosmetic eye surgeon who practises on Harley Street, told Sun Health both can pose serious health risks.
Dr Elizabeth warned while extensions can cause your lashes to fall out, falsies can increase your risk of nasty infections.
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"The trend for wearing false eyelashes has increased dramatically in recent years, whereby a lot of people think it’s OK to wear them every day," she said.
“I would definitely warn against this and suggest saving false eyelashes for special occasions, rather than everyday use.
"Prolonged wear can damage the eyes and cause infections."
Among the nasty infections that can strike is blepharitis, which causes swollen, itchy eyelids.
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Dr Elizabeth said: “It starts with a build up of debris and bacteria around the base of the lashes.
"The eyelids are unique and in between our eye lashes, we have tiny glands called meibomian, which are the tiny oil glands which line the margin of the eyelids.
“Over time, these can get clogged up and lead to lash loss."
Extension risk
When it comes to lash extensions, the risk remains.
First up, Dr Elizabeth said you need to consider whether or not your natural lashes are strong enough to support extensions.
Then there's the risk you could be allergic to the glue used to keep them in place.
Dr Elizabeth told Sun Health: "Many eyelash adhesives contain toxic ingredients, such as formaldehyde and latex.
"However, the glue should be applied to your eyelashes, rather than eyelids so it isn’t coming into direct contact with your skin.
“I don’t recommend the trend for Russian eyelashes where multiple lash extensions are applied to one eyelash.
"It creates a very voluminous look but it is a lot of weight on your natural lashes."
Vital job
While they do make your eyes pop, it's important to remember your eyelashes are there for good reason, Dr Elizabeth warns.
"They do a vital job protecting our eyes, helping to deflect anything that is coming towards the eye that could harm it," she explained.
"So it’s crucial that you keep them healthy."
Sty risk
One other risk worth considering is a sty, which is when the eyelid gland gets clogged up.
"With eyelash extensions, people are often very cautious about cleaning them as they don’t want to ruin the false eyelashes so blepharitis is seen more frequently," Dr Elizabeth noted.
"Buta sty can lead to a condition called preseptal cellulitis, which causes swelling and redness around the eye itself.
“If it gets more severe, it can cause orbital cellulitis, an infection of the soft tissues of the eye socket behind the orbital septum.
"This is sight threatening and can lead to an ophthalmic emergency.”
How to care for your eyes and eyelashes this festive season
Therapeutic optometrist Sarah Farrant said there are some things you can do to keep your eyes in good health this festive season.
- Remove all makeup at the end of the day with a good eye lid hygiene product such as Blephaclean
- Be aware; eyeliner, mascara or eyeshadow can mask or mimic blepharitis
- Labels such as ‘plant-based’, ‘natural’, ‘organic’, ‘vegan’ and ‘ophthalmologist-tested’ do not mean the product is kind to your eyes
- Be extra aware of the implications of cosmetics if you're a contact lens wearer and consider the use of preservative-free eye drops
- Alternatives to daily cosmetics, such as false lashes, also put the ocular surface at risk
- Consider purchasing dry eye friendly cosmetics.
Pharmacist, Sultan Dajani from GoldenEye added that you should make sure you keep your eyes clean using a clean pad of cotton wool in each eye, soaked in cooled boiled water.
"Hold a cold flannel on your closed eyes for a few moments to reduce inflammation. Do not wear your contact lenses or use eye make-up, including false eye lashes until your eyes are better.
"Do not share flannels and towels and wash pillow cases frequently in hot water," the expert explained.
COSMETIC CHAOS
While eyelashes can be dangerous, therapeutic optometrist Sarah Farrant said they aren't the only culprit.
Sarah, who is a specialist in dry eye disease and a member of Théa UK’s EYE (Experts on your Eyes) team, said as an optometrist, she has seen many instances where cosmetics have caused irritation.
This includes makeup and products used to remove it, she explained.
The expert added that eyelash tinting, a procedure where the eyelashes are dyed, can also be harmful.
"Lash tinting is associated with severe conjunctival reactions (essentially allergy-based conjunctivitis which comprises of symptoms such as redness, itching, swelling, tearing and stringy discharge) and red, puffy, sore and inflamed eyes due to the toxic
chemicals as well as allergic response," she said.
If you do insist on lashes, beautician at Wescasa, Martha Antoniou said you must make sure you clean them properly.
"If you don't care well for your lash extensions, they can start harbouring extra bacteria, increasing the risk of lid infections such as styes and conjunctivitis.
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"It's also advisable to let your natural lashes breath in between having lash extensions because in some cases, you may experience dryness from the non-breathable, synthetic materials used in fake lashes.
"If they are used over an extended period of time with little care and not much time in between old and new lashes you may experience an infection or develop a rash around your lash line due to wearing them all the time."
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