How Safe Is Your Eye Makeup Routine?

By Dr. Mirwat Sami

Eye make-up and cosmetics can enhance your appearance but may end up being harmful to your eyes if applied carelessly. Issues can range from allergic reactions to eye infections to serious injuries. Though extreme, the most serious eye issue caused by make-up application could involve injury to the cornea, which is the front part of the eye’s surface. Corneal injuries usually cause pain and always necessitate quick medical attention. Other eye make-up application issues can be caused by bacteria growing inside the cosmetic containers or on the surface of make-up applicators. If your don’t take precautions when applying make-up, bacteria can be transferred directly to your eyes.

Here are my tips on how to look good without compromising eye health.

·      Keep eyeliner pencils sharpened so that the rough wood casing won’t scratch the eye or eyelid. As the pencil becomes old, the liner tip becomes stiff, requiring more pressure to apply. When this happens, replace the pencil with a new one.

·      Don’t mix and match cosmetics. Use what’s intended for your eyes on your eyes only. Don’t use the same pencil for both lips and eyes, or your lipstick as your eye shadow, as those practices can introduce bacteria.

·      Throw away eye makeup after three months. Infection-causing bacteria grow easily in creamy or liquid eye makeup. If you develop an eye infection, immediately toss all of your eye makeup.

·      Never share eye makeup. When sampling makeup in stores, use only fresh applicators and samples that have not been contaminated by multiple users. (The safest choice is to avoid store samples altogether.)

·      If you tend to be allergic, introduce only one new eye makeup or care product at a time. If there is no reaction, add another new product, and so on. If you notice an allergic reaction, find out what the ingredients are and let your doctor know. Avoid products that contain untested or harmful chemicals.

·      Before applying makeup, be sure your face and eyelids are very clean. Always apply makeup outside the lash line, away from the eye, to avoid blocking the oil glands of the upper or lower eyelid. These glands secrete oil that protects the eye’s surface.

·      Never apply makeup while in a moving vehicle. A sudden jolt could cause you to stab your eye.

·      Never use saliva to thin old or clumped makeup or to wet a mascara wand. Your saliva contains bacteria from your mouth.

·      Do not separate your mascara-clumped lashes with sharp items. Touch the clumps gently with the soft pads of your finger tips.

·      If you tend to have dry eyes, avoid metallic/glitter, powder or other makeup that flakes. Flakes can get into the tear film and increase your eyes’ irritation. Glitter eye makeup is a common cause of corneal irritation or infection, especially in contact lens users.

·      Remove all eye makeup at night before sleeping, especially mascara that can stick to the lashes. Brush a clean cotton swab along the base of the eyelashes to remove all makeup remnants. If you use eye makeup remover, avoid getting it in your eyes and thoroughly rinse remover off your eyelids.

·      If you have eye surgery, do not wear makeup around the eye until your ophthalmologist tells you it is safe to do so, and then use only fresh, new makeup.

·      If you use an eyelash curler, make sure the rubber is soft, not stiff and cracking.

·     Always use the curler before applying mascara.Persons allergic to nickel should not use an eyelash curler, as the metal frame contains nickle.

Dr. Mirwat Sami is one of a handful of physicians across the country uniquely qualified to treat both medical and cosmetic problems of the face around the eyes. Her specialized training in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery help Dr. Sami provide her patients with unique and individualized treatment for their facial concerns. Please visit HoustonOculoFacial.com.