From Eeewwww to Oh no !
7 Beauty Mistakes You Should Stop Making Now
Courtesy Key-Whitman Eye Center
Your mother may have said sharing your makeup is a terrible idea , but according to a report by Optegra Eye Health Care , 18 percent of women aged 16- to 24-year , ignore this advice . So , what ’ s the big deal ? We asked Key-Whitman Eye Center ’ s Dallas eye doctor Amy Hong , M . D ., to weigh in on the dangers associated with this common beauty mistake and many other equally bad ideas .
No . 1 : Sharing eye makeup , especially eyeliner and mascara .
When you share eye makeup , you are also sharing bacteria and viruses from your skin and tears . Worse than that , bacteria multiply over time ( gross !).
As Dr . Hong explains , “ Our skin ( including eyelids ) harbors bacteria and viruses , as do tears , which are bodily fluids . When the eye makeup applicator tip comes in contact with skin and tears , the bacteria and viruses residing there attach to the applicator . Once the applicator is reinserted into the tube , the makeup inside will be contaminated .”
No . 2 : Not replacing eye makeup regularly ( aim for every 3 months ).
Even if you don ’ t share bacteria and viruses with friends , the bacteria from your own skin and tears will be carried into your eye makeup , where again , it grows and multiplies over time .
“ You typically won ’ t find expiration dates on eye makeup like you do on eye drops , and this can be problematic . Bacteria grow and chemicals in the makeup break down , which can lead to eye infections and irritation . It ’ s always a good idea to change out all makeup products regularly ,” says Dr . Hong .
No . 3 : Sleeping without removing eye makeup .
Like the skin on your face and body , the skin on your eyelids needs to breathe and shed in order to rejuvenate itself . Sleeping with eye makeup on interrupts with this process . According to the same Optegra report , 52 percent of women don ’ t remove eye makeup before going to bed – bad idea .
Dr . Hong advises , “ Sleeping in your eye makeup is one of the most common mistakes women make ! When you apply mascara and eyeliner , you ’ re essentially placing a thick paste on your eyelashes and lids . If you don ’ t remove the makeup at night , the skin doesn ’ t breathe or shed like it ’ s supposed to , and dead tissue builds up . This can lead to blepharitis ( inflammation of the eyelid margins ).
“ In addition , the oil glands behind the eyelashes can also get clogged . If you end up with eye styes or chalazions ( inflamed bumps on the eyelids ), clogged oil glands are to blame .”
No . 4 : Purchasing and wearing fashion or colored contacts not prescribed to you by an eye doctor .
“ Contact lenses come in different shapes and sizes and need to be fitted properly . Only an eye doctor is qualified to perform a contact lens fitting . If the lens is too tight , it can cut off circulation to the eye , and if it ’ s too loose , it can slide around the eye and cause abrasions .
“ Eye doctors also educate patients on proper wear and care of the lenses and how often they should be swapped out . When you purchase decorative or colored contact lenses over-the-counter or online , proper fit , quality , sterility , expiration and acceptable longevity of wear go out the window ,” warns Dr . Hong .
No . 5 : Wearing cheap sunglasses .
Wearing sunglasses with UV protection is just as important as wearing sunscreen , and some cheap sunglasses offer little to no protection from the sun ’ s rays . As Dr . Hong explains , “ Sunglasses with UVA / UVB protection can help you avoid wrinkles around the eyes , sun damage to the lens and retina , aging of the eyes and cataract formation .”
No . 6 : Not wearing eye protection at the tanning salon .
Tanning bed lamps and fumes from spray tanning can damage or irritate eyes if you don ’ t wear proper eye protection .
“ Again , you should limit UV light exposure as much as possible – and tanning bed lamps are just as bad – if not worse – as the sun . On rare occasions , eye irritation from spray tan chemicals could lead to an eye infection . If the chemicals do get in your eyes , irrigate eyes with a sterile eye wash right away , then moisturize eyes with artificial tears ,” Dr . Hong says .
No . 7 : Wearing eyelash extensions ( bacteria central !).
“ Do you want dandruff , nasty eye infections and red , irritated bumps on your eyelids ? If you don ’ t , then stop wearing eyelash extensions ,” says Dr . Hong .
OK , we get it , eyelash extensions are one of the hottest beauty trends these days , and no matter what Dr . Hong says , many of you will continue wearing them anyway . Please just hear her out .
According to Dr . Hong , “ While your eyelash extensions may look great fresh out of the salon , in a couple of weeks , most people end up with dead skin trapped at the base of their lashes , between the skin and the glue . The main problem here is people are afraid to clean their eyelids and lashes well , because they fear the extensions will fall out .
“ If you don ’ t clean your eyelids well , you can end up with blepharitis and dandruff scruff on the surface of the eye , which can cause inflammation . Trust me , what I see under the microscope is a disgusting mess . Plus oil glands can clog and result in eye styes , chalazions , inflammation and eye infections .”
14 DALLAS COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017