Not everyone is naturally blessed with long and voluminous eyelashes. While mascara is a go-to solution for enhancing lash appearance, a more recent and captivating alternative has taken the beauty world by storm. Enter fake eyelashes – a trend that not only accentuates the eyes but also adds a touch of glamour to one’s overall style. The surge in popularity of fake eyelashes has positioned it as a formidable contender against mascara in the quest for length and volume.
However, the allure of fake eyelashes comes with its share of risks, and mishaps are not uncommon. The application process may inadvertently affect both your eyes and skin. If you’ve been contemplating donning fake lashes to make your eyes stand out, this post is tailored for you. Delve into the concealed dangers of fake eyelashes and uncover essential tips to avoid potential pitfalls, ensuring a safe and stunning enhancement of your eye beauty.
What Are Fake Eyelashes?
The moniker speaks volumes – fake or false eyelashes, a transformative eye makeup product that elevates your look. Comprising small clusters of either natural or synthetic hair fibers expertly bonded into a strip, these lashes enhance both length and fullness when delicately applied to your natural eyelashes. The versatility of fake eyelashes extends from imparting a dramatic effect to your eye makeup with longer-looking lashes to achieving an exquisite appearance.
Despite its cosmetic prowess, this glamorized product has garnered reports of potential drawbacks, including eye contamination and various complications. Unveil the dual nature of fake eyelashes, exploring their enchanting benefits while staying informed about the possible pitfalls and ensuring a balance between beauty and eye health.
Eyelash extensions are longer-lasting alternative to fake or false eyelashes in which individual hair fibers made of silk, nylon, mink (natural fur), etc. are used in small groups to get desired lash looks. They are glued onto the natural eyelashes one at a time by a professional cosmetologist, which are usually shed with the natural eyelashes.
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How Are Fake Eyelashes Applied?
The process of applying fake eyelashes can be tricky. So let us start with unveiling the steps:
- Identify your eye shape (prominent eyes, deep-set eyes, hooded eyes, downturned eyes, close-set eyes, wide-set eyes, etc.) to find the ideal product for yourself. However, women with almond eyes can go for all fake lashes.
- Peel the lashes from their outer corners and tease them out gently with your fingers or a pair of tweezers to remove them from the box.
- Align them with your natural lash lines to determine if they need to be trimmed. They should start from where your natural bulk of lashes begin and end 2-4 lashes inward from the outer corners.
- Trick your fake eyelashes to the shape and size of your eyes by cutting them at the vein from the outer edges.
- Roll the lashes around a makeup brush for a minute to maintain the curved shape and prevent them from popping up at the inner or outer corners after application.
- Apply the glue in a skinny layer from one corner to another corner of the eyelash strip along its vein. It should be tacky in just a few seconds. Repeat the same for the other lash.
- Place the lashes onto your natural lashes carefully by looking down and pressing them against your lash lines in the center, outer, and inner edges, respectively.
- Squeeze them gently onto your natural lashes with your fingertips and push them together to bond well.
- Push against the lashes at the edge of your inner lash line to create some uplift.
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How Are Fake Eyelashes Removed?
Just as applying fake eyelashes requires a technique, removing them can be challenging without the right approach. The simplest method is the ‘solvent method,’ involving a high-quality glue remover (solvent) applied with a cotton swab. Alternatively, you can choose the ‘steam and olive oil method,’ where face steaming is followed by using olive oil to facilitate the gentle removal of the fake lashes.
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Risks Of Wearing Fake Eyelashes
While fake eyelashes aim at turning short, sparse eyelashes into thicker and longer ones, they also come with potential risks to the eyes and the surrounding skin. Following are the hidden dangers of fake eyelashes specified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) (1):
1. Allergic Reactions
Experiencing allergies after donning false eyelashes has become increasingly prevalent. The materials incorporated in these products may harbor allergens, leading to irritation, persistent itching, and rashes. Additionally, the adhesive utilized to secure the lashes often contains formaldehyde, a recognized carcinogen, and various other chemical compounds. This can result in allergic reactions accompanied by sensations of stinging or burning. Furthermore, the lashes themselves have the potential to irritate the cornea, and the thickened adhesive may even cause scratching.
2. Eye Infections
False eyelashes can subject your eyes to moderate to threatening infections. While natural eyelashes protect the eyes from dust, sweat, foreign elements, etc., fake lashes make them too complete for performing this action. They expose your eyes to dirt, dust, and bacteria rather than preventing them from getting into your eyes. Applying glue to stick the fake lashes creates a moist environment where bacteria and fungi can get trapped and thrive easily. These can lead to heavy and swollen eyelids, redness, clogged lash follicles, pain around the eyes, and corneal ulcers. Low-quality falsies and poor hygienic practices can worsen the condition (2).
3. Eye Sensitivity
Eye sensitivity differs from individual to individual. If you have sensitive or allergy-prone eyes, the chances are high that they will react adversely to fake eyelashes, glues, and removers. Chemicals found in artificial eyelash glues are latex, formaldehyde, cellulose gum, benzoic acid, cyanoacrylates, geraniol, propylene glycol, formaldehyde, etc. are some other chemicals used in fake eyelash removers. The reaction can lead to bloodshot eyes, burning sensation, pain, itching, rashes, redness, eyelid inflammation, and severe swelling.
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4. Dry Eyes
Too long and voluminous eyelashes can increase your risk of dry eyes. According to studies, an optimal length for eyelashes, i.e., one-third of the eye’s width, must be maintained to protect the eyes from dust, dirt, and wind. However, after applying the falsies, your lashes become longer and fuller than this, and they create a fan-like effect with every blink. As a result, the airflow on the surface of your eyes gets enhanced, and you end up experiencing the symptoms of dry eyes.
5. Damage To Lashes
Fake eyelashes can cause permanent or temporary damage to your natural eyelashes. This is because they are much heavier than your natural lashes and put stress on your lash follicles. Hence, wearing them frequently can cause your lashes to fall out and temporarily or permanently stop their growth. Furthermore, handling the falsies with a heavy hand can also harm your original lashes as they can get broken or ripped out during the process. Moreover, irritation of the eyes or eyelids caused by fake lashes can thin out your natural eyelashes and eventually lead to a condition called ‘madarosis’ (loss of lashes).
6. Vision Loss
Rare bacterial conjunctivitis or corneal ulcer can also result in corneal scarring in some people. In the worst scenario, this can even lead to vision loss.
How To Treat Eye Infections?
When experiencing the symptoms of allergic reactions or mild eye infections after applying your false lashes, follow a few simple at-home remedies to relieve the discomfort. Check them out below:
- Place moist tea bags over your infected and closed eyes to reduce mild irritation.
- Boil acacia leaves, cool down the infusion, and apply it to your infected eyes to reduce the symptoms.
- Take an oral antihistamine to help reduce the swelling of your eyelids or the skin around your eyes.
- Apply topical hydrocortisone cream to get rid of rashes and redness.
- Use an OTC eye drop for allergies.
When To Consult A Doctor?
The most effective and secure approach to address eye infections triggered by false eyelashes is to seek appropriate medical assistance. Suppose you experience severe symptoms such as excessive redness, extreme swelling, soreness, acute pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, eye discharge, or fever. In that case, it is essential to consult a medical professional promptly. Should any of these symptoms persist for more than 24 to 48 hours, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial. Given the highly contagious nature of many eye infections, early and proper treatment is imperative.
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Safety Tips About Using Fake Eyelashes
Prevention is always better than care. So, try to take some preventive measures beforehand to prevent the dangers of fake eyelashes and ensure the safety of your eyes. Here we go:
- Avoid wearing fake eyelashes if you have irritated or broken skin (on eyelids), alopecia reata, trichotillomania, etc., or are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.
- Always invest in high-quality fake eyelashes from reputed brands.
- Stay away from using false eyelashes that come with glitter or jewels.
- Do not use falsies made of synthetic fibers. Instead, choose the ones made of natural hair fibers.
- Make sure to check the ingredients of the eyelash glue before investing in it. Try to find one that does not contain toxic irritants like formaldehyde.
- Conduct a patch test before applying your falsies, especially if you have sensitive or allergy-prone eyes.
- Stop using lots of glue to place the false lashes onto your natural ones. Only dotting a thin layer along the veins of the lashes will do.
- Be excessively gentle with the application and removal of your fake eyelashes. Constant rubbing and tugging should be avoided at all costs.
- Use an eye makeup remover to cleanse your eyelids once you remove your fake lashes.
- Never go to sleep with your fake lashes on. Wearing them for more than one day is also harmful.
- Keep cross-contamination at bay by avoiding sharing fake eyelashes and their adhesives.
- Practice proper hygiene while applying or removing falsies.
- Use falsies as sparingly as possible to avoid damage to your lashes and eyes.
Alternatives To Fake Eyelashes
Fake eyelashes are not the only way to achieve longer and lustrous eyelashes. There are many other great substitutes, too. The simplest and the least expensive method you can try is the traditional mascara. All you need to do is choose the right formula to increase your lashes in length and volume. Maybelline, Almay, and Covergirl have super thick mascaras to give you fuller and more voluminous looks. You can also use the infamous eyelash curler to help your lashes stand out. It also works great while keeping your eyes healthy and beautiful in a safer way.
Eyelash transplants, medical lash enhancers, pharmaceuticals that promote lash growth, eyelash perms, permanent lash makeup, etc. are some other alternatives to fake eyelashes. However, they all come with potential risks or side effects.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Fake Lashes Cause Permanent Damage?
Unless and until you misuse fake eyelashes, they do not cause permanent damage to your eyes.
Can I Sleep With False Eyelashes?
No, you can’t. It increases the risk of developing eye infections.
Can I Reuse Fake Eyelashes?
If your fake eyelashes are durable and made of natural fibers, you can reuse them safely. However, ensure that you maintain them correctly and limit the usage to 20 times only.
Can I Wash Fake Eyelashes?
To reuse your fake eyelashes, you must maintain them well by cleaning and washing them regularly. For this, you must dip a Q-tip or cotton swab in makeup remover and clean the strips of lashes slowly yet thoroughly.
References:
- “Beauty Expert Warns Against The Hidden Dangers Of Fake Eyelash Extensions,” EliteReaders.com
- “3 Dangers Of False Eyelashes“, TrueSelf.com
