Can Eye Makeup Cause Eye Problems? – How to Wear Eye Makeup Safely

Do you sleep with your eye makeup on? Do you share it with your best friend? If yes, then you should know that you may be putting your eyes at risk for injury or infection.

Mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow can enhance your eyes and make them look dramatic. This is why most women love eye cosmetics, with some making it their daily habit. They are a wonderful invention. In general, eye cosmetics are safe to wear, but anyone can develop eye problems if they are negligent.

Potential Dangers of Eye Cosmetics

A makeup-related eye injury can range from mild to serious. Using a contaminated makeup or applicator may lead to conjunctivitis, an infection of the eyeball. If you scratch the cornea with an eyeliner or mascara, a corneal abrasion may ensure. Allergies to certain cosmetic ingredients may cause tearing and itching of the eyes.

How to Avoid Eye Injury

Making it a habit to use makeup safely will keep your eyes healthy. Here are six basic safety practices to consider:

  •  Clean hands, clean kits. Always wash your hands with soap and water before applying eye cosmetics to avoid transfer of bacteria from hand to eye. Store your eye cosmetic kits in a clean, dry place, and keep the lids on when not using them. Don’t leave them lying around without any cover.
  • Keep it fresh. You might be thinking it’s a waste of money to throw away unused makeup, but it’s actually a good idea to do so after six months to prevent excess contamination with skin bacteria. Replace your makeup, too, after an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis.
  • Change your applicators or brushes when you change your makeup as using an old applicator may contaminate your new makeup. Throw away a dried-out mascara, and never attempt to wet it with saliva or tap water (both harbor bacteria). Also, replace mascaras every two to four months.
  • No sharing. Not even with your mother or your best friend. You may be exposing yourself to another person’s skin bacteria if you do. When testing products at a cosmetic store, apply only with single-use or fresh applicator.
  • Know what’s in it. Check the ingredients to make sure you won’t develop allergies. The information should be available in the package or display rack.
  • Definitely, don’t drive and put on makeup. You may think it’s a good way to save time, but by applying makeup in a moving vehicle, you risk injuring your eye with eyeliner or a mascara wand when the vehicle brakes, comes to a sudden stop, hits a bump or another vehicle.

When Can I Wear Eye Makeup After LASIK Surgery?

Eye doctors at Houston LASIK & Eye in Houston recommend that patients avoid eye makeup at least a week after undergoing laser eye surgery. Use new mascara or even makeup to avoid infection. It would be a good idea to use water-based products as they are gentler on eyes that are still healing.

Houston LASIK & Eye leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The Center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS, and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston LASIK & Eye, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.

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