“Behaft the gaze should not put at risk to the eyes”

On the Internet abound tutorials and articles for “Delineate correctly” The water line and look a “natural” look. The supply of makeup and extensions to achieve is also rich “Doll effect eyelashes” (Yes, even if it seems a lie in the times). But the cost for visual health of inadequate use of cosmetic products and procedures can be high, they warn from the Argentine Council of Ophthalmology (CAO).

“Behaft the gaze should not put at risk in the eye,” says CAO specialists in a statement in which they alert for effects such as inflammation, dryness, infections and even chronic damage on the ocular surface derived from the incorrect use of makeup, especially in sensitive areas, such as the palpebral edge; and of the lesions that can cause a fashion practice: the placement of eyelashes.

They also refer to a recent report prepared by the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (Tfos) that alerts on ingredients associated with risks such as parabens, Benzalconium Chloride (Bak), formaldehyde, phthalates, fragrances, among others.

“Many cosmetic ingredients present significant concerns. It is estimated that of 12,500 chemicals used in cosmetics, less than 20% have been reviewed for security, “their authors argue, who underline the need for specialists and consumers to be informed to take collections when protecting ocular health.

“Makeup is something used many years ago, but the main problem occurs when The inner edge of the eyelid is made upthe water line, “he says to Clarion Martín Berra, cornea specialist and ocular surface and member of the CAO.

In other words, stretching the eyelid to reach that line just behind the eyelashes and underline it with pencils or liquid eyeliner is, for ophthalmologists, A bad idea.

The free palpebral edge – it is called – is the smooth strip of tissue without hair that separates the skin from the eyelid eyelid. On that border are the Meibomio glands, which fulfill an essential function: Secret in each flicker lipids and proteins that form the most superficial layer of the tear film and provide stability, which avoids its evaporation and thus allows the eye to always be wet.

If those glands are clogged with makeup, either because of the delineated or because there are remains of rimmel, shadow or other substances, the problems appear.

Berra explains: “When the makeup accesses the mucosa irritates it. You have to have Be very careful with the edge of the eyelid. If the glands are covered, the tear has no stability and generates dry eye, which is a fairly frequent pathology. “

In Argentina, according to the first epidemiological study recently conducted in the country, affects 4 out of 10. In people with dry eye, tears are formed in each flickering are scarce, of poor quality, so they fail to properly protect the eye.

Symptoms? “The most frequent, which is not the most serious, is that the patient has Arenilla feeling, which burns the eyethat when using the computer, it is with the air conditioning or with heating the eye begins to irritate, “Berra said about the symptoms of the dry eye. Sleeping little or bad, prolonged exposure to screens, the use of contact lenses are also risk factors to develop it.

The dry eye is not the only problem associated with a bad makeup technique or products in poor condition or poor quality. They can also disagree allergic conjunctivitis, flashing of the eyelid (blepharitis) u orzuelos (A red and painful lump caused by a blocked sebaceous gland), Berra listed.

And insisted: “Makeup on the eyelid hole should never be placed. All are designed to place themselves on the skinnot to get in touch with the mucosa that is much more sensitive “

If the makeup should not contact the mucosa, much less substances such as the glue used in the increasingly popular eyelashes. The placement must be done under “Strict hygienic norms”underline from the Cao.

The TFOS report emphasizes that eyelashes are associated with allergic contact dermatitis, eyelash lossblepharitis, conjunctivitis, corneal abrasions and keratitis. As for the glue, he warns that they can contain sensitizing ingredients (formaldehyde, cyanoacrylate, ammonia, lead, latex). It also points out that cases of Equipoos accidentally glued and that nylon fibers can migrate subconjunctivally, which demands surgical extraction.

“It is not the same to paste them on the side of the skin to the eyelash glue between contact with the mucosa. It not only generates more irritation, but that more serious situations can occur, in which it comes into contact with the cornea, which is the transparent part of the eye, as if it were the glass, the window through which the image enters. We have seen cases in which the glue remains in the visual ax permanent vision loss“Berra warned.

The excess weight of the false eyelashes raises another problem, because alter the mechanics of flicker “It can cause inflammation or damage to the follicles.”

Procedures such as permanent tabs or dye are not exempt from risks, according to tfos.

“Many times, an eye injury begins as an irritation in the eyelid skin and, if not treated in time, it can lead to a more complex picture,” the dermatologist María Laura Remorino contributes in the CAO statement.

“The accumulation of makeup, The use of expired products Or with ingredients such as retinoic acid, essential oils or fragrances can trigger allergic or irritative dermatitis, “he explains.

And it points out that, according to international data, between 2 and 4% of dermatological consultations for echcems or skin lesions are located in the eyelids, and up to 60% are due to allergic to cosmetics reactions. Among the most involved ingredients are fragrances, preservatives, nickel and “natural” substances such as tea tree oil (tea tree).

These substances may be present in makeup, tonic, preba, sera for the growth of eyelashes, demands, eyelid bleaching, glitter or glitter creams, among others, listed the tfos.

The anatomy of the eyelid “is much more complex than the rest of the skin”Berra said, who also warned of the risks of tattoos, piercings and filling in that area. “Any invasive procedure has to be performed by a doctor specialized in ocular plastic,” he advised.

1. Avoid makeup the inner edge of the eyelid. “You always have to place it on the skin,” Berra advised.

2. Use hypoallergenic products, without fragrances or aggressive preservatives.

3. Renew cosmetics every 3 to 6 months. “It is important to renew it, because it contaminates and ends up taking dirt to the skin and eyelashes,” he reinforced. Makeup brushes and sponges can also act as microbial growth reservoirs.

4. Democate carefully and perform palpebral hygiene with specific products.

5. Do not share makeup or use tests in premises. Contamination increases with repeated use, the antiquity of the product and the number of users.

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