Sometimes mascara is not enough and some women decide to use a trick to lengthen their lashes: fake lashes. If you are one of them, it is good to know that using temporary or permanent false lashes can be dangerous for your health. In fact, the use of these cosmetics can cause allergies, irritations but also more important disorders, such as bacterial infections and fungi, blepharitis and even bacterial keratitis, an eye infection of the cornea that is normally linked to the use of contact lenses. Let’s see how to make the correct choice together with Dr. Alessandra Narcisi, dermatologist at Humanitas.
Products on the market
The habit of using permanent extensions of natural lashes is particularly popular among women living in Japan, but it has now become very common and used in Italy. However, using fake eyelashes can be dangerous for your health. It all depends on the type of product you decide to use and the ability of the beautician to apply them. Three different products are available on the market:
Temporary false eyelashes are applied by means of an adhesive strip on the eyelid and held in place thanks to the adhesive. At the end of the day, they can be removed with eye make-up remover. They can only be reused if they are cleaned and stored correctly.
Semi-permanent fake eyelashes: Applied in groups of four lashes knotted to the roots of natural lashes with a semi-permanent glue, this type of product must be removed with a special preparation after a few days.
Permanent fake eyelashes are single lashes, applied one at a time, with a special flexible glue specially designed for medical use. They can last as long as natural lashes. They can be refreshed every 2 to 4 weeks or can be removed by the staff of a specialized beauty center.
Irritation and allergies: the importance of testing
Regardless of the type of false eyelashes you choose, it is good to know that glue can cause irritation. Some women are allergic to adhesives that may contain formaldehyde. In other cases the products used for the removal may lead to an allergic reaction that manifests itself with a strong swelling of the eyelids known as allergic blepharitis. For this reason, before wearing false eyelashes for the first time, it is important to perform a patch test to ensure that you are not allergic to the products that will be used to apply and remove the eyelashes. If within 48 to 72 hours of the test no redness, rash or swelling occurs, then you can use your fake lashes safely.
The weight of the false lashes, especially if used constantly, can in any case stress the follicles of the natural lashes to such an extent that, gradually, they can also begin to fall giving rise to a type of traction alopecia.
