Love artificial eyelashes? Beware of these health hazards

Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Dr Adeyemi, a practitioner at Mushin General Hospital, stated some of the health implications that could result from fixing false eyelashes, which according to the doctor include corneal abrasions or ulcers, damage of the natural eyelashes, eye sensitivity, amongst others.

She said fixing of artificial lashes had become an increasingly popular trend in the fashion world as most ladies, regardless of the health implications, seek perfection and glamour.

Dr Adeyemi further stated that natural lashes have a natural way of preventing dirt, sweat, bacteria and other foreign materials from entering into the eye by trapping and keeping out anything that comes near. She said that false lashes would accommodate the dirt, thereby causing different forms of allergy and infections.

“The use of harmful chemicals on the eyelashes can cause them to fall out quicker than they naturally would and it is also dangerous when tools to be used come in close proximity to the eye.

“Artificial lashes can cause trauma to the eye either through the glue and other materials used or unprofessional operators; there could be an introduction of microbes into the eye causing conjunctivitis of all types.

“The eyelashes themselves can cause allergic conjunctivitis trapping and retaining dirt around the eye,” she says.

Adeyemi advised ladies to minimise the rate at which they fix false eyelashes if they must retain healthy natural lashes.