Just like well-designed fake nails and eyebrows, eyelash extensions have become essential in the beauty ritual for many modern women.
These extensions seem handy because they create the illusion of shiny, fluttering eyelashes just like movie stars on red carpet, without having to use mascara!
However, this beauty practice has significant drawbacks. Among other things, risks related to hygiene have been identified and they could influence you to frequent less the beautician's chair after reading below.
Indeed, optometrists have reported an increase in eyelash lice incidents, known in the medical world as "demodex". This can be linked to the fact that some consumers neglect to properly clean their extensions, which can lead to an accumulation of bacteria on these beauty accessories.
Symptoms of demodex include itching, redness, and inflammation. Like common lice, eyelash lice live on fatty hair follicles and can be transferred from person to person by jumping. Yuck!
Dr. Sairah Malik told ABC7 that the build-up of bacteria could be attributed to poor hygiene.
"In general, when people have eyelash extensions, they are afraid to touch or wash them because they fear that the eyelashes will fall out."
Sairah Malik told the network that keeping your eyelids clean is essential if you are using eyelash extensions. She recommends using a tea tree oil cleanser because it has antibacterial properties and is a popular treatment for hair, skin and nails. She also advises women to make sure to give eyelid breaks after getting lash extensions.
Last year, a woman named Ashley shared her demodex story on social media, warning other users of eyelash extensions. She said she woke up one morning with swollen and irritated eyes after having several eyelash extensions. It was Dr. Keshini Parbhu, of the Orlando Eye Institute's Dry Eye Help Center, who detected the lice living on his eyelashes after microscopic examination.
Although they can be found anywhere on the body, lice would tend to go towards the eyelashes and eyebrows. You should know that their overcrowding could lead to infection.
So, ladies, if you still decide to get false eyelashes, be careful about hygiene and cleaning them!
Because healthy eyes are priceless.
