The dangers of fake eyelashes

20/10/2022

Eyelash extensions are very fashionable, but do they have any impact on our visual health?

Fake eyelashes come in many different shapes and sizes. They are usually placed in beauty centres, although they can be placed by the user himself, and they are attached to the eye with some type of glue.

As this global trend gains followers, alerts also grow among specialists due to the dangers that it may entail:

• Traumatic injuries to the eyelids or to the cornea itself when trying to apply or remove the eyelashes.
• Allergic reactions to the glue or other chemical components of the eyelashes themselves, which can cause swelling, redness and itching. It is very important to use approved and hypoallergenic products.
• Temporary or permanent loss of natural eyelashes.
• Infections in the eyelids and cornea (blepharitis and conjunctivitis) due to the entry of bacteria, fungi or viruses.
• When excessively long extensions are used, drooping of the eyelid or palpebral ptosis can occur.

Eyelashes should always be placed under strict hygienic conditions and in the event that any of the above described symptoms appear, it is important to go to an ophthalmologist to solve and treat them.

Dr. Sandra Planella, ophthalmologist at the Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre