In the desire to enhance the eyes, also known as the "windows to the soul," women have been lining up at beauty salons to get eyelash extensions. This beauty procedure has grown popular in recent years, according to CBS News, but, women are unknowingly subjecting themselves to a lot of risks and health hazards with this trend.
"The glue products have gotten to the surface or the top layer of the eye, called the cornea, and caused problems with scarring, irritation and more long lasting damage," said ophthalmologist Dr. Amy Zhang. "When you apply a lot of traction to the hair follicle, it actually causes the hair follicle not to grow."
Eye patients in Japan have increased since the procedure became popular, according to Medical Daily. The most common health issue among these women is a bacterial infection that leads to allergic reactions from the glue used for the lashes, according to a study.
The worst case of allergic reaction happened to a 42-year-old woman in the U.K. whose eyes turned bloodshot red and whose face swelled after undergoing eyelash extensions. "It took me five hours to work them free using nothing but soap and water and it was an excruciatingly painful experience, but even after that the rash and irritation carried on getting worse," Jane Rolfe said, via Daily Mail.
Eyelash extensions come in different types - mink, silk or synthetic. The lash size and length vary and the semi-permanent glues are also formulated differently. Some salons claim their glues don't contain formaldehyde, a common ingredient, but not all salons follow the same safety procedures.
Experts advise women to get the eyelash extensions from a salon they trust to be safe and clean, with licensed and well-trained beauty technicians.
