[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Eyelashes are incredibly delicate, and so it’s important to treat them as such. Unfortunately, it’s easy to overlook their fragile nature and not properly care for them. However, if mishandling is chronic, eyelashes are more susceptible to damage, including breaking, thinning and falling out, which can compromise their function as an extension of the eyes and for supporting eye health. Eyelashes are protective. They keep debris and harmful material away from the eyes—so, you’re not only hurting eyelashes with poor habits and negligence, but also overall eye health, too.
“Irritation or inflammation around follicles can allow infection to spread, and even permanently damage vision over time in extreme cases,” explains Dr. Saya Nagori, MD, board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of
Eye Facts, an educational platform dedicated to eye health and vision preservation.
Practicing good hygiene and
handling eyelashes with care promotes fuller, healthier appearance of lashes, helping them thrive for years, while protecting eyesight, too. Resisting the urge to rub eyes in the day also helps keep eyes safe and healthy and eyelashes long, dense and prevalent. You might also benefit from adding an
eyelash serum with castor oil to your daily routine, too, which can contribute to eyelash growth and nourishment.
Here are a few common mistakes people make with eyelashes that can be damaging plus information on how to keep your eyelashes healthy.
Wondering How to Keep Eyelashes Healthy? Break These 4 Bad Habits.
1. Sleeping in eye makeup
Never sleep in eye makeup, such as liner and
mascara—no matter how tired you are. Be sure to save time at night and prioritize eye
makeup removal (in addition to all makeup on the face) before getting into bed. Sleeping in eye makeup can increase inflammation and lead to clogged hair follicles and oil glands.
“Leaving makeup on irritates eyes overnight, and lashes can break and fall off easier when removing crusted residue come morning,” says Dr. Nagori. If habitual, it can cause greater loss of lashes and a thinned appearance over time.
“Invest in a high-quality, non-oily eye
makeup remover, and thoroughly cleanse without tugging at day's end,” says Dr. Nagori. Being gentle prevents damage due to aggressive mishandling.
2. Not knowing how to take care of eyelash extensions
If you need more
eyelash length, false eyelashes or eyelash extensions might be a good fit. Yet, you must make sure you know how to take care of eyelash extensions, if you choose to wear them.
“With false lashes, apply properly so the band doesn't pinch lids or built-up glue doesn’t pull out natural lashes over time,” says Dr. Nagori. “If trying lash extensions, ensure the stylist is highly trained and uses secure, non-irritating adhesive.”
Never rip off falsies for removal, as it’s damaging to natural lashes. Take care of eyelash extensions, eyes and lashes by brushing through extensions gently. For daily combing and maintenance, or when washing your face with
face cleanser, use care.
Face wash type matters, and it’s best to avoid oil-based products, which break down bonds prematurely, Dr. Nagori notes.
3. Having clumps in mascara
Thick, curled lashes are covetable, but overdoing it and creating clumps in mascara backfires and is detrimental to eyelashes and eye health. Don’t use mascaras with clumpy formulas, as they glop lashes together.
“The tension damages follicles and lashes fall out more easily,” says Dr. Nagori. Look for a smooth, clean
mascara that separates and defines, leaving lashes long, high-volume and intact.
“Always wiggle brushes at the base and lift up, and resist pumping or pressing hard against eyelids,” says Dr. Nagori. Apply mascara with light, even strokes, and toss out mascara once dry. Dry mascara can more easily create clumps and stress lashes, causing breakage, so always swap for a fresh one, as needed (cycling about every three months is a good rule of thumb).
4. Curling eyelashes wrong or aggressively
Using an
eyelash curler can be an easy and effective way to promote a lifted, voluminous look. However, if you’re not gentle or you’re using it incorrectly, lashes may break or fall off, leading to a thinner appearance and greater loss of eyelashes over time. When using an eyelash curler, it is important to avoid squeezing aggressively at lash lines.
“Gentle pulses from mid-lash outward protect strength better,” says Dr. Nagori. “And definitely don’t over-curl or rub eyes excessively, as this stresses hair follicles, causing lashes to possibly fall out faster,” adds Dr. Nagori.
Don’t ever curl eyelashes that have mascara on them, as it can lead to breakage. Curl only before you apply mascara (never after or in between applications) for a long-lash, high-volume appearance.
The key to keeping eyelashes healthy is good makeup and cleansing practices and always with a gentle touch. Eyelashes are both beautiful and functional for eye health, so break the bad habits and keep them lush and healthy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="171719" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1703802094577{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/mineral-fusion-so-high-extended-length-mascara-black"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="171717" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1703802110242{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/godefroy-28-day-mascara-eyelash-gel-tint-brown"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="171716" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1703802129074{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/earth-science-eye-makeup-remover-chamomile-green-tea-fragrance-free"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
