You’ve seen them. Maybe it’s your
friend with those lashes that just go on for miles, or your favorite movie star
that the paparazzi can never seem to catch without their eyes looking flawless.
Want know their secret? They are wearing fake lashes! While gluing individual
synthetic lashes onto your natural lashes may give you the oh-so-glamorous look
you’re going for, there are serious safety concerns to consider before “going
under the glue.”
The biggest risk involved with
eyelash extensions is an allergic reaction to the chemicals used in the
adhesive. Most adhesives are formaldehyde-based which can cause allergic
reactions with symptoms including itching, swelling, or redness of the eye lid.
Just ask Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth about her eyelash extension escapade. During
an interview with Anderson Cooper in 2012, Chenoweth talked about her unfortunate experience
with eyelash extensions and referred to formaldehyde as “dead people’s juice”
and declared “no amount of beauty is worth it!”
We all know swollen, itchy eyes
can weaken our vision, but there are other side effects associated with eyelash
extensions that can truly impair our eye sight. Two of the more serious
complications are conjunctivitis and keratitis. Conjunctivitis, a fancy name
for pink eye, is the inflammation of the outermost layer of the eye and the
inner surface of the eyelid. Extensions can cause conjunctivitis when bacteria
or fungi get trapped by fake lashes. Keratitis occurs when the eye’s cornea
becomes inflamed. People with keratitis often experience moderate to intense
pain, a scratching sensation while blinking and impaired eye sight. Sounds kind of scary, huh?
Our advice at Prevent Blindness
Texas is to pass on the idea of extensions all together! Stick to mascara and
use it safely! The American Academy of Ophthalmology shared an insightful
article from Consumer Reports about mascara safety:
- Wash your hands before applying mascara
- Replace your mascara every 3 months
- Never borrow or share mascara
- Don’t add water to dried out mascara
For
additional tips on how to use mascara safely click here!
References:
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