Every woman’s dream is to look the best she can, but the last several years have brought about some extreme standards when it comes to beauty.

Apart from a neat haircut, fashionable clothes, clean shoes, and makeup, nowadays girls have to do a lot of additional things to satisfy the demanding beauty trends. I literally do not know a girl that does not have a set of gel nails, and many around me have already tried eyebrow threading.

And you will agree that eyelash extensions are simply a staple in the modern beauty regime!

These lashes are applied individually with glue and bonded to your own lashes. The process can take around three hours to apply and lasts for about six weeks.

The eyelash extensions create the illusion of fluttering eyelashes batting above huge eyes, and give much better effects that a mascara wand. Yet, they also come with some pretty frightening risks.

Optometrists have reported an increase in incidents of lash lice, referred to medically as Demodex.

They advise women who regularly use eyelash extensions to clean them regularly, as a lack of cleaning leads to a buildup of bacteria.

Demodex is manifested by itchiness, redness, and inflammation. Eyelash lice live on the oily hair follicle and can be transferred from person to person by jumping.

According to Dr. Sairah Malik:

“Generally the idea when you have eyelash extensions is that people are afraid to kind of touch them or wash them because they’re afraid the eyelash will fall out.”

Yet, he explains that it is extremely important to keep the eyelids clean, and suggests using a tea tree base cleaner.

“We recommend tea tree base cleanser. Any cleanser that has a diluted form of tea tree, and it is a good idea to use on a daily basis.”

Hillary Weimer, a cosmetologist at ‘A New U Salon & Boutique’ advises that when you first get your lashes done, you should avoid contact with water for the first 24 hours. She adds:

“After that, you can wash them. Don’t use any oil-based products. Just be careful, don’t pull at them. If they’re put on correctly, you should have no problem with them staying and taking care of them.”

Last year, a woman by the name of Ashley shared her Demodex story with WFTV9 and warned others about the possible dangers of eyelash extensions.

One morning, she awoke with swollen, irritated eyes after having had eyelash extensions several times, and under the microscope, Dr. Keshini Parbhu, of the Orlando Eye Institute’s Dry Eye Help Center, found the lice living on the oils of the lashes.

She said:

“They burrow to the base of the lash follicles, and they feed off this material. Infection can set in if they overpopulate.”

Additionally, customers are also at risk of Demodex if they do not remove their eye makeup adequately, and in case the salon staff does not wash their tools.

Dr.Malik adds that whenever possible, women should give their eyelids a well-needed break from extensions.

Sources:
www.unilad.co.uk
www.kwch.com
www.mirror.co.uk