We are going into the seventh month of the pandemic and while salon and other beauty services have been allowed to open, most of us are still scared to venture out, and rightly so. For safety’s sake, we have resorted to doing our own mani/pedicures, buying handheld massage implements and for others, dyeing our hair ourselves. It’s not the same as having experts do it, but grooming has to continue. Many of us still face our coworkers and bosses through virtual conferences, and of course, we want to be presentable. This is especially true for girls.
Society tells women they have to follow a certain look - brows have to be “on fleek” (I’m not sure if this description is still a thing, though), hair color has to match brow color, lashes need to be long, dark and thick. Here lies the problem.
Not only can these societal pressures cause anxiety, women who end up DIY-ing salon procedures at home can end up hurting themselves, even their eyes.
The most commonly encountered beauty-related eye problem is the development of a stye. Before applying makeup, make sure your face as well as your makeup and brushes/applicators are clean. Only use cosmetics that are made for the eyes. Apply your eye shadow or eyeliner outside the lash line. Getting the product into the oil-producing glands along your eyelids can block them and form a stye. Also, be careful when putting makeup on—you can very easily poke your eye if you are clumsy.
Brow and eyelash dyes are readily available online now. For women itching to get theirs done, this can be a big problem. Don’t just order anything without reading about the product. Especially if you’re not familiar with using them and don’t know their ingredients, test them out first on your arm. You might have an allergic reaction.
I had a patient who dyed her brows and lashes. Not even an hour later, her eyelids started to swell, the skin became red and she could barely open her eyes. She was teary because of the eye irritation and also from frustration because of what happened to her. Good thing she responded to medication.
Several patients also had severe eye and eyelid reactions after putting on false lashes. One said she used the same brand and the same glue while the others tried theirs for the first time. The glue can easily come in contact with the eye itself if the wearer is not careful with application. The most common presentation is swelling of the lids, tearing, eye redness and even blurring of vision.
It’s true that the pandemic has given us time to try new things but we have to make sure we protect ourselves first and foremost. If you experience any irritation, wash off products. Don’t forget to remove your makeup and clean your face before sleeping. Don’t wait for symptoms to progress. Consult an eye doctor.
