• Avoid Serious Eye Damage Caused By Makeup

    It is important to understand beauty and makeup habits that can seriously damage your eyes and then take measures to minimize those risks.

    • Applying eyeliner inside the lashes  -  Coloring inside can bring bacteria into your eye and clog the oil secreting glands that protect your cornea.
    • Sharing making up with friends - cross-infection is the result.  To avoid this, do not use old makeup and don’t share makeup with others.
    • Re-wetting mascara - if you have to re-wet your mascara  it is too old and could contain bacteria.
    • Using eye shadow powder that gets into your eyes - If your eyes are sensitive, try a cream eye shadow instead of powder. The cream will last longer and prevent powder pieces from getting into your eyes.
    • Not cleaning your makeup brushes and eye pencils - not washing your brushes spreads bacteria, and even can lead to mold growing along the fibers of your brushes. Using old eye shadow brushes and old mascara spreads bacteria and dirt onto your eyelashes, eyelid margins and therefore tear film and possibly onto your cornea. Not sharpening your eye shadow pencils - Just like you clean your brushes regularly, sharpen your pencils on a regular basis to keep bacteria away.
    • Sleeping with your makeup on - You will end up with dry eyes and bacteria in your eyes. Failing to wash off mascara or eyeliner is only going to increase the chances of bacterial and oil build up with eyelid inflammation. 
    • Wearing extra long eyelashes - extra-long lashes are what most women prefer, but they have been shown to act as a wind-tunnel forcing air and particles directly into your eye making them drier and dirtier.
    • Continued use of eyelash extensions - According to a recently released study by the British College of Optometrists, the repeated use of eyelash extensions can cause traction alopecia, a condition where the hair falls out due to excessive tensions place on the hair shaft.” Take a break every few months and let your bare lashes breathe; one of these lash conditioners will help repair any damage.
    • Using mascara until it runs out - Replacing your mascara regularly is incredibly important to avoid eye infections.
    • Using makeup that is old - makeup that’s past its prime becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and can lead to breakouts, infections, pink eye, and the list goes on.
  • Bacteria Trapped in Eye Makeup Causes Eye Infections

    One of the most common eye problems women have when it comes to eye makeup is bacterial conjunct­ivitis, which is caused by bacteria getting trapped in the makeup.

    How does this relate to the purpose of your eyelashes?  The purpose of eyelashes is to protect your eyes from dirt, pollen and bacteria.  How does this relate to your mascara?  Your mascara wand collects these particles, transferring them into the product.

  • All eye mascara takes is a single use to contaminate a mascara wand. Eye shadow and eye liner meant for the outside of the eyelid rather than the waterline are much safer. Aside from the risk of bacterial contamination, another potential hazard with mascara is scratching. A jab in the eye from a mascara wand or eyeliner pencil can scratch the cornea, and any dry, flaky, and powdery makeup that gets in the eye can cause redness, irritation, and swelling.

    Particles in mascara as well as liquid eyeliner can also get into the small oil producing pores along the length of the eyelid margin and block them. These Meibomian gland pores produce the essential oil required for a stable tear film. Blocking these pores causes a chronic inflammatory reaction in the eyelid called posterior meibomitis which is the most common cause of red eyes, dry eyes and irritated eyes.

    To reduce your risk of infection, discard mascara every 3-6 months, depending on your usage.  If you notice the mascara formula gets clumpy or starts to smell funny, which means it is bad, toss it out sooner rather than later.  And, remember to remove eye makeup at night.  Sleeping in eye makeup is only going to increase the chances of bacterial and oil build up with eyelid inflammation.  

    The Food and Drug Administration reports that the most common injury from cosmetics comes from scratching the eye with a mascara wand. Eye scratches, if left untreated, can cause infections which, in turn, can lead to ulcers on the cornea, loss of lashes, or even blindness.

  • WARNING: False Eyelashes Can Lead to Permanent Visual Damage

    • Continued use of false eyelashes - applying any type of adhesive near your eye can cause problems if glue enters the tear film or ocular surface.
    • Allergic reaction aside, ophthalmologists warn that false eyelashes and extensions can trap dirt and bacteria, heightening the risk of infected roots.
    • Glue onto the ocular surface can cause abrasions, bacterial infections which can lead to scars and potentially permanent visual damage which may require surgery to restore vision. 
    • False eyelashes are very dangerous because they contain formaldehyde can irritate the eyes very serious. Incorrect application of false eyelashes can make the natural lashes very fragile with an increased risk of breaking.
    • Lash glues have been rated amongst the most toxic of all beauty products on the market today for its high concentration of chemicals such as formaldehyde. Formaldehyde has been linked to developmental or reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity, and neurotoxicity and is a confirmed carcinogen by the National Cancer Society.
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