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Our eyes are particularly sensitive, and looking after them should be a priority as you age.
Beyond getting your eyes tested at an optometrist, your everyday makeup habits could actually be making your eyes worse.
Optometry Australia’s resident optometrist, Luke Arundel, gave us his top tips on caring for your eyes, so that your makeup look doesn’t put your vision at risk.
1. Are eyelash extensions safe?
Eyelash extensions have come back into fashion in a big way, thanks to new (and better) technology that has reduced the price and increased the efficiency of the procedure. Extensions may reduce the need for eyelash curlers and mascara, but there are some drawbacks to this beauty shortcut.
Possible side effects include “infections of the cornea and eyelid, the permanent or temporary loss of eyelashes, eyelid swelling and allergic reactions,” according to Arundel.
These concerning consequences are related to “allergic reactions to the glue used to adhere extensions to existing lashes” as well as tweezer injuries during the application process.
But the biggest red flag is the loss of your own natural eyelashes, which everyone woman knows takes so long (actually a continuous cycle is between 1-6 months) to grow back.
“Repeated use of eyelash extensions can cause tractional alopecia, where the natural lash falls out due to excessive tension and weight placed on the hair shaft. This can damage the hair follicle, which can slow down or cease any further production of natural lashes.”
Not good.
Arundel advises to always use a trained and trusted beauty therapist, double check their equipment is sterilised and avoid using formaldehyde-based adhesives.
2. When should I throw away my used beauty products?
The answer might be a bit sad to hear, but you should be throwing out used beauty products a lot sooner than you think, and this includes things you have barely touched.
Once the seal has broken, air and bacteria can enter the product and contaminate your products. Creams, gels and liquids suffer the most, where as powders can possibly last a little bit longer.
Mascara is particularly susceptible to microbiological and bacterial contamination, and considering you put is so close to your eye, this is where infection can occur.
One study found that from 40 used mascaras tested (that were past their used-by date), 79 per cent had Staphylococcus aureus present.
The study concluded that the expired products “have a high level of contamination with pathogenic microorganisms,” and we certainly wouldn’t want that near our eyes.
3. What is tight lining? Is it safe?
Tight lining is the name for the technique when you apply eyeliner to your upper or lower inner lash line, on your waterline. It makes lashes look fuller, and can emphasise your eyes.
However, there’s cause for concern as makeup may migrate into your eye and “contaminate the tear film when applied inside the waterline,” Arundel says.
This level of contamination has “implications for contact lens wearers and patients with dry eye syndrome or sensitive eyes,” he adds.
Yeah, no thanks.
