Let's Talk Eye Health

Warning to the ones with a weak stomach, this topic is on the little icky side of things but extremely important information. Coming from a background of 13 years in healthcare the most important issue to me as an eyelash extension specialist, is HEALTH.

One of my main concerns when it comes to hygiene is the presence of eyelash mites. What are eyelash mites? Did you even know there was such a thing? Eyelash mites or Demodex brevis are tiny microscopic parasites that live in the follicles of your face , brows and eyelashes. Yes, we all have them not visible to the naked eye. They feed off your dead skin and oils that build up on your skin. They don't like light and burrow down into your follicles during the day and come out to eat and mate at night.

So now that you know what they are, why is it important? I recommend you cleanse your eyelashes with a cleanser at least 3 times a week if you don't wear much makeup. If 

you wear makeup on daily basis then it should be throughly removed and lashes cleansed daily. The eyelids may develop an infestation of mites if not cleansed regularly, extension or not.

( Build up of oils, skin and grime due to lack of cleansing )  photo taken by Cinthya Medina

Demodex will keep reproducing while feeding on the grime you did not remove from your lids. Once an excessive mount of mites burrow down into one follicle it will cause the hair to fall out therefore loosing your natural lashes. Eyelash mites are contagious so remember to never share mascara or mascara wand with anyone.

Consider cleansing your lashes as much as you would wash your face and remember that healthy lashes are happy lashes.

For more information about causes, symptoms and treatments  checkout Jayne Leonard's article "What is Demodex?" in Medical News Today.