Regular use of eyelash extensions linked to skin mites, eye irritation and blocked glands
A study among young women who regularly have eyelash extensions has found most have tiny mites, called Demodex folliculorum, living on their lashes. These mites can cause a painful skin reaction called demodicosis.
A study presented at the 44th Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons investigated the link between regular eyelash extensions and eye health issues. The research involved 345 women aged 16 to 28, with 58% of them getting eyelash extensions every three to four weeks. Almost half of the women who received extensions reported discomfort, redness, tearing or itching after the procedure.
Meibography revealed that 85% of women who had had eyelash extensions at least 10 times showed signs of meibomian gland dysfunction, indicating blocked or improperly functioning glands. Microscopic examination of eyelashes from 25 women who regularly got extensions found Demodex folliculorum, a type of skin mite, in all but one woman.
In 18 of these women, there were signs of skin irritation typically caused by mites, including itching, redness, swelling, eyelash sticking together, and scaly skin. Dr. Tetiana Zhmud, the study's author, advised proper eyelid hygiene and timely assessment of symptoms to make eyelash extensions safer.
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