Long, fluttering eyelashes may be fashionable, but experts are warning that the beauty trend could come with risks to eye health.
Eyelash extensions and false eyelashes have become popular among celebrities, artists, and beauty enthusiasts because they create fuller, more dramatic eyes that mascara alone may not achieve. However, researchers and eye specialists say repeated use can be associated with irritation, infections, eyelash loss, and other complications.
A study of young women who regularly wear eyelash extensions found that most of those examined had Demodex folliculorum, microscopic mites that live around hair follicles. The mites can, in some cases, contribute to demodicosis, a condition associated with skin irritation.
The findings, presented at the 44th Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), also highlighted eye irritation and problems involving the meibomian glands, which produce an oily substance that helps prevent the eyes from drying out.
Dr. Tetiana Zhmud, from the Department of Ophthalmology at National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine, and her colleagues surveyed 345 women aged 16 to 28.
Almost one-quarter had used eyelash extensions, while 58 per cent of users had them applied every three to four weeks. Nearly half, 47.6 per cent, reported discomfort, redness, tearing, or itching after the procedure.
Among women who had undergone eyelash extensions at least 10 times, 85 per cent showed signs of meibomian gland dysfunction, meaning the glands were blocked or were not producing enough oil to keep the eyes hydrated.
The researchers examined eyelash samples from 25 regular users under a microscope and found Demodex folliculorum mites in all but one of them. Eighteen also showed signs of irritation, including itching, redness, swelling, eyelashes sticking together, and scaly skin around the lash line.
A separate observational study published in Cureus involving 400 female undergraduate students aged 15 to 30 at the University of Benin, Benin City, reported that 54 per cent had experienced at least one side effect during or after wearing artificial eyelashes.
The most common complaints were itching (38 per cent), lashes being pulled out (36 per cent), heavy eyelids (34 per cent) and red eyes (34 per cent).
Other reported effects included a gritty or foreign-body sensation (32 per cent), tearing (24 per cent), burning (24 per cent), eyelid pain (22 per cent), misdirected lashes (10 per cent), swollen eyelids (6 per cent), eyelid boils (4 per cent), and discharge (2 per cent).
Professor Charles Bekibele, an ophthalmologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, who was not involved in the research, said artificial eyelashes could pose hidden health and safety risks because complete sterility during application and removal could be difficult to guarantee.
“You can’t guarantee the hygienic nature of the insertion. When removing it too, it can damage the lashes, and that can be a problem. I don’t think it’s 100 per cent safe,” he said.
Bekibele added that a resident physician at UCH plans to compare hygienically applied eyelash extensions with standard cosmetic methods to determine whether there are differences in health outcomes.
Dr. Bade Ogundipe, a cornea surgeon and consultant at UCH, Ibadan, said complications from false eyelashes are a major concern for eye specialists.
He warned that adhesive entering the eye could scratch the cornea, while some chemicals in lash glue can cause severe irritation. In serious cases, corneal scarring could affect vision and potentially require a corneal transplant.
Repeated application and removal of artificial eyelashes can weaken natural lash follicles, potentially resulting in breakage, thinning and lash loss.
Dr Ogundipe also warned that false eyelashes may increase the risk of eyelid and corneal infections, particularly when unwashed hands, contaminated adhesive, reused eyelashes or dirty makeup brushes are involved.
Some adhesive ingredients, including latex or formaldehyde, may also trigger allergic reactions, causing redness, itching, swelling, and irritation around the eyelids.
Heavy, stiff, or poorly fitted lashes can cause discomfort, while excessive rubbing or pulling during removal may damage the delicate skin around the eyes and increase the risk of corneal abrasions.
Dr. Tinuade Ajani, a consultant clinical and medical microbiologist at UCH, Ibadan, described eyelash mites as microscopic organisms that thrive in environments containing debris, natural skin oils and sweat.
She declared that artificial eyelashes and extensions may create conditions that encourage mite proliferation, adding that, as such, women with artificial eyelashes and extensions may experience persistent eyelid itching, a sensation of movement along the eyelid margin and excessive watering.
Ajani warned against using over-the-counter anti-lice shampoos or generic chemical treatments around the eyes, as they could damage sensitive eye tissues.
According to her, people experiencing persistent or unexplained eyelid irritation should instead consult a qualified ophthalmologist or clinical specialist. Where an infestation is confirmed, immediate removal of the artificial lashes may be necessary.
Dr. Zhmud said the findings do not mean people should completely avoid eyelash extensions, but stressed the importance of proper eyelid hygiene, awareness of symptoms and timely medical assessment.
She recommended a preservative-free, hypoallergenic gel designed for therapeutic eyelid hygiene, used twice daily with an eyelash cleansing brush. For confirmed Demodex infestation, anti-parasitic treatment may be considered.
The researchers, however, acknowledged that their study was small and did not include women who had never used eyelash extensions. They called for larger studies to better understand the relationship between eyelash extensions, mite infestation and eye health.
Professor Sorcha Ni Dhubhghaill, a corneal and cataract specialist at UZ Brussel, Belgium, who was not involved in the study, noted that Demodex mites can sometimes be identified by “collarettes” — waxy rings around the eyelashes made up of dead mites, faeces, eggs, skin, and oil.
She stressed that the presence of Demodex folliculorum does not necessarily mean disease, as the mites may form part of the normal microorganisms around the eyes. The concern arises when they are associated with symptoms, inflammation, or meibomian gland dysfunction.
For those who wear artificial eyelashes, experts say maintaining good hygiene and seeking medical attention when persistent irritation or unusual symptoms occur are important steps in protecting eye health.
- Media Report