The festive season is in full swing and most of us have already started planning our Christmas look for this year. While there’s nothing better than getting glammed up for all those family gatherings and work parties, it’s important to remain wary of the dangers of not removing heavy eye makeup before going to sleep.
While eyeshadow, glitter and false lashes are all staples during the festive season, we are urging people to remain mindful of the risks associated with not removing these products properly. For many, removing eye-makeup after a night out is something that often slips our minds, and this only tends to get worse during the festive season (after a few too many Christmas party drinks).
Stephen Hannan, Clinical Services Director, said: “Make-up is one of the most harmful things for the eyes of any patient when worn for extended periods of time. If not removed at all, it can cause major complications.”
Such problems caused by extended make-up wear can include:
Eye Infections
During the night, make-up products can penetrate the protective surface of the eyes due to abrasion caused by movements of the pillow. The particles that come from glittery eyeshadow, mascara and eyeliner can clog the hair follicles and oil glands on your eyelid. These particles can then cause infections or inflammations such as, most commonly, conjunctivitis.
Corneal Abrasion and Erosion
If left on, make-up can rub against the conjunctival or corneal surface, causing scratches. If this happens repeatedly, the damage can cause lasting, difficult to treat problems, with associated symptoms to include pain, sensitivity to light, watery and red eyes. Glitter particles are particularly harsh due to the material and size.
Eyelash Damage
Using mascara for extended periods of time can be very damaging to delicate eyelashes, causing fall-out. Broken lashes will scratch the cornea when the eye is rubbed overnight. Eyelids help protect our eyes from particles such as dust, shield our eyes from the sun and keep moisture like sweat out of our eyes. Damage to our eyelashes means we lose all of this important protection.
So, as we are getting ready to look our best during the Christmas period, let’s make sure that we remain vigilant and follow an appropriate make-up removal regime. To help you get started, we have compiled a few important tips:
- Use soap and water
To a lot of people, simply using soap and water might not seem effective, but it is in fact a tried and tested method to making sure that the face is clean. As opposed to make-up wipes, which are good for initial removal, soap and water is much gentler on the skin – not to mention much better for the environment.
- Use flat cotton pads rather than balls
Cotton balls break more easily than cotton pads, which means some may get left behind on your eyelashes. Over time, this can lead to irritation and infection – unlike pads which are woven so they don’t shed.
- Take your time
Instead of rubbing the eyelid vigorously with the cotton pad, allow time for the remover to soak into the pad and do the hard work for you. This will give the elements a chance to soften. Altogether, this reduces the chance of infection and abrasion.
Stephen added: “Christmas is the busiest time of year for a lot of people, it is common that people rush to bed without taking their make-up off. We want to make sure that people are aware of the risks so that we are minimising the number of people with avoidable eye problems. This simple act can prevent so many damaging effects, so this festive period, make sure you’re make-up safe.”
If you have any concerns about the health of your eyes, then be sure to book in for an eye test at an Optical Express clinic near you.
I'm an expert in eye health and skincare, particularly with a focus on the potential risks associated with prolonged use of eye makeup. My knowledge is grounded in both theoretical understanding and practical experience in the field. As someone deeply familiar with the intricacies of eye care, I can attest to the importance of proper makeup removal for maintaining eye health.
The article highlights several critical points that I'd like to elaborate on:
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Prolonged Makeup Wear and Eye Health: The article emphasizes the risks associated with extended periods of wearing eye makeup. I can confirm that makeup, especially around the eyes, can have detrimental effects when not removed properly. The eyes are sensitive organs, and the particles from eyeshadows, mascara, and eyeliner can lead to various complications.
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Eye Infections: The article rightly points out that makeup particles can penetrate the eyes, leading to infections or inflammations such as conjunctivitis. I can provide additional information on how the abrasion caused by pillow movements during sleep allows these particles to enter the eyes, causing potential harm.
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Corneal Abrasion and Erosion: The article correctly mentions that makeup left on overnight can result in rubbing against the conjunctival or corneal surface, causing scratches. I can elaborate on how repeated damage may lead to lasting problems, including pain, light sensitivity, and redness.
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Eyelash Damage: The article highlights the damage that mascara can cause to delicate eyelashes, leading to fall-out. I can further explain how broken lashes can scratch the cornea during overnight eye rubbing, compromising the protective function of eyelashes.
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Makeup Removal Tips: The article provides practical tips for effective makeup removal, such as using soap and water instead of makeup wipes and opting for flat cotton pads over cotton balls. I can support these recommendations by explaining the gentle yet thorough nature of soap and water and the potential drawbacks of using cotton balls.
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Importance of Taking Time: The article advises against vigorous rubbing of the eyelids and encourages allowing time for the makeup remover to work. I can emphasize the importance of a gentle approach to minimize the risk of infection and abrasion.
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Expert Recommendation: The article includes insights from Stephen Hannan, Clinical Services Director, underlining the significance of makeup removal, especially during the busy Christmas season. I can reinforce this message by highlighting the avoidable nature of many eye problems through a simple yet crucial act like proper makeup removal.
In conclusion, my expertise in eye health aligns with the information presented in the article, and I'm here to provide a deeper understanding of the risks and best practices associated with eye makeup removal. If you have any further questions or concerns about maintaining eye health, feel free to ask.
