You may be using mascara regularly, but have you ever wondered if you’re cleaning it off properly?
It’s crucial to take extra care when cleaning off your mascara, as neglecting to do so can lead to potential health problems.
Credits: @valuavitaly/Freepik
In fact, a 2018 article by the American Academy of Ophthalmology shared that a woman had residual mascara under her eyelids after wearing it for over 25 years without proper removal.
This resulted in the mascara accumulating and hardening under her eyelids!
What Happens if You Don’t Remove Your Mascara?
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In an interview with Daily Mail Australia, the patient revealed that she went to see a doctor due to eye irritation, discharge, and an uncomfortable feeling beneath her eyelids.
To her shock, the doctor discovered hard calcified bumps, known as concretions, under her eyelids.
These bumps were caused by leftover mascara and were associated with follicular conjunctivitis, a type of eye infection.
Credits: Caters News Agency
These bumps are constantly irritating to the eyes, and the sensation has been compared to sandpaper scratching your eye.
Every time she blinked, these bumps would scratch her eyeball and cornea, posing a significant risk to her vision. If a scratch became infected, it could potentially lead to blindness!
Dr. Dana Robaei, the ophthalmologist who treated her, explained that the bumps had to be surgically removed in a 90-minute procedure.
Although the patient’s vision remains mostly unaffected, she now has permanent scarring on her eyelid and the surface of her cornea.
How to Properly Care for Your Eyes?
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To prevent such a situation, start caring for your eyes diligently with these useful tips:
- Never share your eye makeup with others. Sharing eye makeup can lead to uncomfortable and potentially dangerous infections if you accidentally get exposed to a virus.
- Remember to regularly clean all your makeup brushes, including eyeshadow brushes, to reduce the risk of eye infections.
- Make sure to replace your eye makeup regularly and pay attention to expiration dates, to prevent the growth of bacteria and viruses. Mascara, in particular, should be replaced every three months. If you’re recovering from an eye infection, don’t try to salvage your eye makeup, as they will already be contaminated. Instead, replace them immediately!
- If any eye makeup gets in your eye, avoid rubbing your eyes. This can scratch and damage your cornea, causing irritation and posing a significant risk to your eye health.
Featured image credits: @valuavitaly/Freepik, Caters News Agency.
