How eyelash extensions, eyeliner and daily contact lenses can lead to eye problems if you're not careful

We get it. There’s no mascara that can give you supremely curled and fluttery eyelashes that last and last like semi-permanent extensions can. And us monolid girlies need all the help in that department. 

Many of us also have other beauty practices such as applying eyeliner to the waterline and (gasp) reusing daily disposable contact lenses.

But how do these affect our eyes? Are there any downsides? Here's a look at how these might give us eye problems and what you can do.

1. SEMI-PERMANENT EYELASH EXTENSIONS

Those strips or clusters of acrylic or silk hairs instantly add definition and “open” up your peepers – no fiddling with perplexing pieces of falsies or tricky glue application required. Plus, you don’t have to apply much – or any at all – eye makeup to look polished. It’s no wonder that these eyelash extensions done at the salon have been the rage for a while now.

But for all the convenience they provide, the extensions aren’t without their downsides. A glue is still applied to your natural eyelashes to secure the extensions. And if you have seen TikTok videos like the one below, crusty and long-overdue eyelash glue is not a pretty nor comfortable look.

What is going on in that TikTok video?

“It appears that the patient in the video has many weeks’ worth of glue stuck on her eyelashes or even longer,” said Dr Yvonne Chung, the head and a senior consultant with Singapore National Eye Centre’s Oculoplastic Department. “She has possibly had multiple sessions of regluing the eyelashes within a month? So, it all accumulates.”

Typically, returning to the salon for a touch-up after two to three weeks, as recommended by Browhaus, is fine to fill in the gaps created by the shedding of your natural lashes. But don't go back a few times in a month. “In general, one shouldn’t be doing eyelash extension touch-ups multiple times a month,” said Dr Chung. “At most, maybe once a month as your natural eyelashes will fall off after about six weeks.”

“We advise applying a completely new set of eyelash extensions after four to six weeks,” said the Browhaus spokesperson.

What issues can eyelash extensions potentially cause when they’re kept on for too long?

Other than bacteria growth, you’ll also be encouraging the proliferation of tiny critters, known as demodex mites, that live in or near your eyelash follicles.

A demodex mite is extremely small (0.15mm to 0.4mm), slightly transparent, covered with scales and has two segments with eight legs, according to Cleveland Clinic. “When you sleep, the mites come out of your skin’s pores, mate, then go back into your skin to lay eggs,” noted the website.

It sounds icky but “demodex mites are part of our natural skin microbiome” and pretty much the clean-up crew on your face, said Dr Chung. But trouble brews when the lack of hygiene causes the “over-production of facial and eyelid oils that can cause the population of mites to multiple and cause blepharitis”, she said.

What is blepharitis?

The condition typically affects the entire margins or edges of the eyelid, according to Singhealth. There is swelling, crusting, an oily build-up, pain, blurred vision and excessive tearing, among other symptoms.

“We normally advise lid hygiene with eyelid cleansers, lubricants as first-line treatments and then maybe, mild topical steroids and oral antibiotics in more severe cases,” said Dr Chung. “Lipiflow (a heat-based system that applies pressure on the eyelids) or IPL are also options but one should speak to an ophthalmologist to determine what would be more suitable.”

Do we need to take a break from falsies from time to time?

At Browhaus, they advise that you let your natural lashes rest for a couple of weeks in between the removal and application of a new set of lashes.

“There is no recommended period of abstinence,” said Dr Chung. In general, one shouldn’t be doing eyelash extension touch-ups multiple times a month,” she reiterated.

But if you’re constantly grappling with eye infections such as styes or have a history of chronic blepharitis, you “should probably stay off semi-permanent eyelash extensions to avoid aggravating the situation”, advised Dr Chung. “Or use temporary, stick-on eyelashes.”

2. EYELINER

If you thought the earlier video was gross, here’s another to remind you about the potential risk of lining your waterline, or the inner rim of your top or bottom eyelid.

What are we seeing in the video?

Normally, the substance that was squeezed out of the bottom eyelid in the video should be liquid and not the consistency of toothpaste. The reason for the thickened texture could be that the meibomian glands, which naturally produce oil to prevent your eyes from drying out, were congested.

Why shouldn’t we line our waterline with eyeliner?

“Applying eyeliner on the waterline can block the openings of the meibomian glands, which are located near the lash line,” said Dr Andrew Fang, a family physician from DoctorAnywhere. “When blocked, the oils cannot properly reach the surface of the eye, leading to meibomian gland dysfunction.

“Regularly using eyeliner in this area may exacerbate the issue,” said Dr Fang, “increasing the risk of meibomian gland disease (MGD).” Signs you might have MGD include dry, gritty or irritated eyes; blurred vision; sensitivity to light; and redness or swelling around the eyelids.

Does treatment involve squeezing the blocked glands as seen in the video?

Fortunately, no squeezing is done as it would be too uncomfortable. “The common treatment for MGD typically includes a combination of non-invasive approaches, such as warm compresses, oral and topical antibiotics, and thermal pulsation therapy,” said Dr Fang.

“While general practitioners can provide general advice and initial management, an ophthalmologist is better suited to perform these more specialised treatments,” he said.

3. DAILY CONTACT LENSES

It seems like such a waste to throw away daily disposable contact lenses after just wearing them for a few hours. Are you sure we can’t reuse them?

We’ve reused them a few times and our eyes are fine. So what gives?

While some of us have gotten away with reusing dailies, you’re toying with the risk of eye infections, said Clinical Associate Professor Lim Li, who is a senior consultant with Singapore National Eye Centre’s Corneal & External Eye Disease Department.

“Reusing daily disposable contact lenses can predispose you to a higher risk of adverse effects such as allergic conjunctivitis and corneal infections,” she said. Although some of us are able to get away with it, “it would be prudent not to continue with such a practice”.

Furthermore, dailies are often made from a thinner and more delicate material; reusing them can damage the lenses and give you poorer vision.

Should we put on our dailies first or makeup first?

You should put on your contact lenses before applying eye makeup, said Dr Fang. “This ensures that your lenses are clean and free from makeup residue, which could cause irritation or infections. It also prevents makeup particles from getting trapped under the lenses, which can lead to discomfort or even damage to the eyes.”