A popular beauty procedure—eyelash extensions—may lead to skin mites and dry eye syndrome, according to scientists, reports infohub.kz.
The study was presented at the 44th Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. It revealed the dangers of a procedure many consider a harmless cosmetic treatment.
The survey involved 345 women aged 16 to 28. Nearly half of the respondents with eyelash extensions complained of discomfort, redness, tearing, and itching.
Microscopic examination of 25 patients showed that 24 of them had Demodex folliculorum mites on their eyelashes. In 18 women, symptoms of demodicosis appeared, including swelling and skin flaking. In 85% of participants who had undergone the procedure more than 10 times, dysfunction of the meibomian glands—which secrete an oily substance to protect the eyes from drying out—was detected.
The authors from Pirogov Vinnytsia National Medical University do not call for completely abandoning the procedure. Experts advise maintaining eyelid hygiene, using special hypoallergenic gels for cleansing, and consulting a doctor promptly at the first signs of inflammation.