Eye Makeup and Infection: Why Caution Is the Best Advice
Is eye makeup part of your daily routine? Do you enjoy trying different types of eye makeup at the cosmetic counter at your favorite store?
You could be putting yourself at risk, says the staff at Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center in Chicago. Here are some tips to keep your eyes healthy when using eye makeup:
- Always wash your hands before applying makeup. Clean hands reduces the likelihood of infection.
- Avoid sharing eye makeup. That includes the Testers and shared samples at stores. We see many patients with eye infections who believe that they were infected by using contaminated Testers at cosmetics stores and makeup counters. Also, don’t allow a Makeup Consultant to apply makeup to your eyes; instead do it yourself. You don’t know if his/her hands are clean and can easily get an eye infection in this way.
- Throw away old makeup. Makeup should be thrown away after a few months even if it still looks like it’s in good condition. It is likely to be full of bacteria. If you can, use a permanent marker to mark the date you purchased the item on the container. That way you know when to throw it out.
- Once your mascara becomes dried out, toss it. Don’t attempt to moisten it with water or saliva. Dried mascara is a reminder that your eyes are important and throwing old mascara away is the safest way to protect them.
- Avoid kohl eyeliners. They sometimes contain dangerous levels of lead.
- Avoid permanent coloring and dyes. Don’t use permanent dyes or tattoos around the eyes or eyelashes. They can cause irreversible eye damage if not used properly.
