Eyelashes Grow to Just The Right
Length to Shield Your Eyes
March 28, 2015
Story at-a-glance
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Longer eyelashes channel airflow toward the eye, which may
dry out your eyes and draw in particles
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False eyelashes and extensions can cause infections,
allergic reactions, and even loss of your natural lashes
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Many mascaras contain toxic chemicals and may be
contaminated with bacteria
By Dr. Mercola
Eyelashes are one of the most subtle yet powerful facial
features. They draw attention to your eyes, helping you to
communicate without saying a word. And long, thick lashes have
long been associated with beauty and youth.
In 2010, women spent $537 million on mascara, and this figure
doesn’t include mascara sales from Wal-Mart or club stores.1
False eyelash sales bring in another $44 million annually,2
while lash extensions cost even more (about $200 and up per
application).
But the pursuit of flirt-worthy lashes ignores one important
point – your eyelashes have a very important purpose, and
tweaking them artificially might actually interfere with it…
How Your Eyelashes Keep Your Eyes Safe
Your eyes are vulnerable to viral, bacterial, fungal and even
parasitic infections. Your tear duct system offers some
protection against invaders by coating your eye in a thin layer
of mucus, oil, and water. This keeps your eyelid and cornea
lubricated and helps remove foreign particles.3
Your eyelashes are the next line of defense. They help to
keep dust and other debris from falling in your eyes, and they
also act as sensors, causing your eyes to blink if an object
gets too close. According to a study published in the
Journal of the Royal Society Interface:4
“A number of intriguing medical studies suggest that
eyelashes can prevent the transfer of infection and
allergens to the eye, although a clear mechanism does not
exist. According to the American Optometric Association, the
medical ailments alopecia and madarosis, or the lack of
eyelashes, have been correlated with higher rates of
infection of the eye.
One study found that growth of eyelashes occurs in
response to exposure to allergens. Children with allergies
have 10% longer and denser lashes than those without
allergies.
This response arises from allergens triggering mast
cells within the inside of the eyelid to release
prostaglandins that promote hair growth, which presumably
protects the eye.”
Your Lashes Are the Perfect Length to Protect Your Eyes
Eyelashes are not unique to humans, of course. All mammals
have wet eyes and need eyelashes to not only protect from debris
but also control airflow and rate of evaporation on the surface
of the cornea.
In a study of 22 mammals, including humans, researchers found
that most eyelashes are one-third the length of the eye, which
turns out to be just the right length to minimize airflow over
the eyeball. According one study author, Dr. David Hu from the
Georgia Institute of Technology:5
“As short lashes grew longer, they reduced air flow,
creating a layer of slow-moving air above the cornea. This
kept the eye moist for a longer time and kept particles
away. The majority of air essentially hit the eyelashes and
rolled away from the eye.”
However, the benefit only remained to a point. As lashes grew
too long, they helped to channel airflow toward the
eye, which lead to faster evaporation. Researcher Guillermo
Amador, a doctoral student in fluid mechanics at Georgia Tech,
said:
“This is why long, elegant, fake eyelashes aren’t
ideal. They may look good, but they’re not the best thing
for the health of your eyes6
…If women use false eyelashes they could actually dry out
their eyes a little faster and have to blink more
frequently.”7
In the case of people who have lost their eyelashes due to
health problems, false eyelashes of the appropriate length could
benefit eye health. The findings may even be useful in the
development of eyelash-like filaments to protect robots,
sensors, and solar panels from dust.8
Risks of Eyelash Extensions and False Eyelashes
Aside from extending your lashes too much, such that they may
dry out your eyes and attract debris, there are other risks of
false eyelashes. The glue used to adhere the lashes to your
eyes, and the solvents used to remove them, may contain toxic
chemicals, like formaldehyde, which may cause irritation and
allergic reactions.
Further, the irritation and infection caused by the
artificial lashes may cause your real lashes to thin out or
become damaged… creating a vicious cycle of ongoing use. In
England, the College of Optometrists even warned:9
“…repeated use of eyelash extensions can cause
traction alopecia, a condition where the hair falls out due
to excessive tension placed on the hair shaft. As a result,
this can damage the hair follicle, which can slow down and
even cease production of hair.”
In 2013, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) also
warned consumers about the dangers of eyelash extensions,
including:10
- Infection of the cornea
- Infection of the eyelid
- Swelling of the eyelid
- Permanent or temporary loss of eyelashes
AAO cited a 2013 report from Consumer Reports, which noted:11
“Eyelash extensions—single synthetic fibers glued one
by one to natural eyelashes—are usually fixed in place by
formaldehyde-based adhesives or other biologic glues. The
adhesives can cause allergic reactions, as can the solvents
used to remove them. In addition, cosmetic eyelash enhancers
carry a risk of bacterial and fungal infection.
Eyelash extensions have also been reported to cause
irritation to the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis) or cornea
(keratitis). The irritation can be caused by direct contact
from the lashes themselves or hypersensitivity to the
substances used to attach them.
Among beauty treatments, eyelash extensions account
for the greatest number of eye-clinic consultations in
Japan, where they have been very widely used.”
Is Your Mascara Toxic?
Both Consumer Reports and the American Academy of
Ophthalmology recommend mascara as a safe alternative to false
eyelashes or extensions, but mascara isn’t without risk either.
For starters, in a study of 49 different face makeup items,
including seven mascaras, their testing revealed serious heavy
metal contamination in virtually all of the products:12
- 96 percent contained lead
- 90 percent contained beryllium
- 61 percent contained thallium
- 51 percent contained cadmium
- 20 percent contained arsenic
Further, each product contained an average of two of the four
metals of highest concern (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and
mercury), which are designated as toxic in Canada because of
proven health concerns. Most of the products also contained an
average of four of the eight metals tested (arsenic, cadmium,
lead, mercury, nickel, beryllium, thallium, and selenium). Other
common chemicals in mascara include:13
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Parabens: Synthetic preservatives known to
interfere with hormone production and release. Studies have
shown that parabens can affect your body much like the
estrogens, which can lead to diminished muscle mass, extra
fat storage, and male gynecomastia (breast growth). Other
studies have also linked parabens to breast cancer. The US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has linked methyl
parabens in particular to metabolic, developmental,
hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various
cancers.
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Phthalates: Another synthetic preservative
that’s carcinogenic and linked to reproductive effects
(decreased sperm counts, early breast development, birth
defects) and liver and kidney damage.
- Petroleum products: Petroleum products
coat your skin like plastic – clogging pores and creating a
build-up of toxins. They can also disrupt hormonal activity.
- Dioxane: This toxic byproduct is
"probably carcinogenic to humans," and is toxic to your
brain, central nervous system, kidneys, and liver.
Another consideration is bacterial contamination. A study in
the International Journal of Cosmetic Science revealed
the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in 79 percent of mascara
samples tested.14
Dr. Jody Krukowski of the University of Kansas Medical Center’s
Department of Integrative Medicine told Bustle:15
“The moist, dark environment inside of the mascara
tube combined with normal daily eye secretions that get
transferred from the mascara wand to the tube creates the
perfect place for bacteria to grow… [And because there are]
many pores where eyelashes come out of the eyelids as well
as glands and tear ducts, our eyes become very vulnerable to
infection.”
Beware of Prescription Lash Thickeners
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved
Latisse, an eyelash-thickening drug, in 2008 as a treatment
for hypotrichosis, a condition in which no hair grows on your
eyelid. The drug, which contains the same active ingredient as
the glaucoma drug Lumigan, was also touted as a solution for
those who have lost their eyelashes due to chemotherapy and
other medical treatments. However, it’s also used by women who
feel their eyelashes have thinned due to age -- but not without
a very steep price.
For starters, the results are not permanent. So if you stop
using Latisse, your eyelashes will return to their previous
appearance over several weeks or months. You’d have to continue
using this drug virtually forever if you wanted to maintain the
effects. In addition, the side effects are worrisome, especially
if you’re using it for strictly cosmetic purposes:
Increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of
your eye, which is likely to be permanent |
Darkening of your eyelid skin |
Hair growth in other areas of your skin that Latisse
frequently touches |
Itching sensation in your eyes and eye redness |
Difference in eyelash length, thickness, fullness,
pigmentation, number of eyelash hairs, and/or direction
of eyelash growth |
Dryness of your eyes |
Bacterial eye infections |
Allergic reactions |
How to Get Naturally Longer, Thicker Lashes
If you want your lashes to be thick and long, a healthy diet
is essential. Browse through my
nutrition plan to get an idea of what types of healthy foods
to eat for optimal health and hair growth, including full
lashes. Homemade
bone broth is one food to eat regularly, as it promotes
healthy hair growth, thanks to the gelatin in the broth. Biotin,
a B vitamin essential for hair growth, is plentiful in egg yolks
(choose organic and pastured eggs), while vegetables are rich in
vitamin C, which is involved in collagen formation (crucial for
healthy hair follicles).
Another tip you can try is to apply a few drops of olive oil
or coconut oil to your eyelashes before bed, which may help to
give them added strength and thickness. Also be careful when
applying mascara and using eye makeup removers, as vigorous
rubbing may cause your lashes to fall out. Synthetic chemicals
in your eye products can also lead to dry and brittle lashes, so
look for natural alternatives. In the case of mascara, you can
search the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Skin Deep
Cosmetics Database to find non-toxic mascara.16
And be sure to replace it every three months to avoid bacterial
overgrowth.
When buying products, look for the USDA Organic seal, and if
those aren't available, select products whose ingredients you
recognize and can pronounce. What you’ll notice if you browse
through the ingredients in any of my personal line of natural
skin care products is just that – ingredients you’ll know and
recognize, like organic coconut oil, orange oil, or rosemary
extract.
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself… "Would I eat this?"
(I don't recommend you actually eat it, of course.) There’s no
reason to be exposing yourself to questionable chemicals every
day in the name of beauty. And remember, your eyelashes are
perfectly suited to best protect your eyes at their current
length, so avoid extending them for cosmetic reasons as it will
likely compromise your health.
Copyright 1997- 2015 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved.
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