Cosmetics: More Than Meets the Eye

When it comes to the eyes, the saying "beauty is pain" is not something you want to follow. Women sometimes overlook the health concerns associated with make-up and the eyes. Here are some helpful tips and tricks from Sussex Eye Center  to keep your eyes looking and feeling beautiful!

Picking the Right Products

It is good to research cosmetics to make sure they are safe to use around the eyes. Here are some general suggestions for choosing products:

• Eye Shadow - cream shadows are less likely to get into your eyes than powder. Opting for a water-based cream instead of an oil-based cream can also reduce eye irritation if it gets into your eyes.
• Eye Liner - Pencils are preferable to gel or cream eyeliner, which can dry and flake into the eyes. It is recommended to avoid Kohl pencils, because they have heavy metals that are unapproved for cosmetic use by the FDA.
• Mascara - Fiber mascaras or lash extending mascaras have flakes that can fall into your eyes, so try to avoid these.

Choosing the Right Application

It is best to keep as much make-up as possible on your skin and away from the eyeball itself. This means to avoid applying eyeliner to the waterline under your eyelashes. Not only does this make the make-up more likely to get into your eyes, but it also blocks the oil glands of the eyelid, which can lead to a number of problems. If these glands become clogged, they can cause infections and styes. In severe cases, the glands can actually become so blocked that they deteriorate and cause chronic dry eye.

For mascara, it is also good practice to avoid brushing all the way from the root of your lashes to avoid make-up falling into the eye. False eyelashes can also cause complications with the eyes. The glue used to apply these lashes can trigger and allergic reaction or irritation to the eyelid skin. Fake eyelashes also can cause damage to the natural lashes by suffocating the roots of the lashes, causing them to fall out. They can also be a breading ground for bacteria and other germs that can cause infections if they aren't properly cleaned and replaced.

Permanent Make-Up

Considering ditching cosmetics all together and vying for permanent make-up? It is important to fully understand the risks associated with these procedures and ensure you are going to reputable and experienced professionals for these services. Some of these complications include infection, scarring, and allergic reactions to the ink or dye. There is also the difficulty of removing the permanent make-up if you grow to not like it or if there are any changes in trends that make your appearance outdated.

Make-Up and Contact Lenses

It is actually better to wash your hands and put your contacts in BEFORE applying any make-up or moisturizer. Next, ensuring that your make-up is contact lens compatible is key. Avoid cosmetics that can flake or deposit in the eye, as these can be absorbed by the contact lenses. Water-proof cosmetics are also extremely difficult to remove and clean from contacts.

Color/Cosmetic Contact Lenses

Even contact lenses sold at beauty stores or online are medical devices. It is illegal to sell contacts in the United States without a prescription, but unfortunately these lenses are still out there. Not all eyes are the same shape, and if the lenses have not been examined by a doctor to make sure they fit well, they can cause many complications. Additionally, any lens that has color or design is less breathable than a clear lens. The materials that are used in cosmetic contacts can be made of poor materials or stored in ways that are not sterile, leading to the risk of infections. At Sussex Eye Center, we offer a wide selection of contacts, including Air Optix Colors  that can provide vision correction and color enhancement to the eyes safely.

Still have questions about your eyes?  Schedule your eye exam today at Sussex Eye Center!