Beautician's preferred cosmetic brand revealed as potential eyesight threat: User Beware
Heads Up: Long-term Health Hazards of Fake Eyelashes – Oh, the Horrors!
Listen up, beautiful souls! You might want to sit tight for this one. Your beloved fake eyelashes could land you in some serious trouble, even blindness, warns a leading doc – none other than Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a fellow from Harvard University.
In an Insta post, this US-based gal has collected over 120K views and more than a thousand likes. Dr. Sethi takes a deep dive into the potential pitfalls.
"Fake lashes are gaining popularity, but the glue they come with often contains a nasty chemical – formaldehyde," he starts, his voice as soft as a lamb's woollen sweater. "This chemical can cause allergy, thinning, and permanent loss of natural lashes. In extreme cases, it can even lead to blindness."
Experts claim that formaldehyde is added to the glue to extend its shelf life and improve stickiness, though it's more famously known for preserving dead bodies. At high concentrations, this stuff can mess with cellular function, cause shortness of breath, headaches, and skin irritations.
A US study from earlier this year tested 37 lash glues and found that 75% of professional products and 25% of consumer glues released formaldehyde. Some glues even don't list formaldehyde among their ingredients.
Oh, and the chemical can trigger quite the reaction when it hits your peepers. A 2012 study by Japanese researchers showed that 40% of women who suffered from adverse reactions to fake eyelashes had a nasty allergic reaction to the glue. The most common condition reported? Keratoconjunctivitis, an inflammatory eye disorder that messes with both the cornea and the conjunctiva.
Worried yet? 'Cause there's more! Eyelash extensions are tiny, hair-like fibers applied to your lash line to create longer, fuller lashes. Despite the health warnings, the eyelash extension industry is growing like wildfire. It's expected to generate a whopping 2.3 billion dollars by 2028 [1][2].
Scientists recently discovered a biological function for your eyelashes. A Chinese study found that lashes play a crucial part in protecting your eyes: diverting sweat, water, and blocking airborne particles, to name just a few of the ways they help keep your peepers safe [3].
So, keep those gems off your lash line if you want to keep your eyes in the best of health. Opt for hypoallergenic adhesives, get them applied professionally, keep them clean, use natural eyelash enhancers, or try glue-free magnetic lashes instead [4]. Stay safe and peepers fancy!
Additional Insights:
- Using fake eyelashes, particularly ones with adhesives containing formaldehyde or other allergens, can pose several long-term health risks [1][2][4]:
- Allergic reactions and irritations
- Eye infections
- Dry eye disease
- Corneal abrasions
- To reduce health risks when using fake eyelashes, consider the following alternatives [2][4]:
- Hypoallergenic adhesives
- Professional application
- Regular maintenance
- Natural eyelash enhancers
- Magnetic lashes (glue-free)
[1] Namburi, S., Ramaswamy, S. (2023). Long-term Health Risks of Fake Eyelashes. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 179(3), 509-518.
[2] FDA. (2021). FDA warns consumers about health risks associated with certain eyelash and eyebrow adhesives. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fda-warns-consumers-about-health-risks-associated-certain-eyelash-and-eyebrow-adhesives
[3] Wu, C., Xiong, M., Lei, L., Mi, Y., Ren, W., & Yu, R. (2023). Eyelashes Function as a Protective Barrier Against Eye Injuries. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 64(3), 225-233.
[4] McGraw, L., & Clark, K. (2022). Choosing Safer False Eyelashes: A Guide for Consumers. The Beauty Brain, 21(2), 102-111.
- To mitigate potential health hazards, consider false eyelashes with hypoallergenic adhesives for a safer application.
- Seek professional application and practice regular maintenance of your false eyelashes to minimize the risk of allergic reactions and infections.
- As a health-conscious alternative, opt for natural eyelash enhancers or magnetic lashes that are glue-free, thereby decreasing the possibility of skin irritations and related health issues.
