Can eyelash extensions cause eyelash damage?
May 21, 2014
Many celebrities like Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry have recently popularlized the use of eyelash extensions. However, last year, Consumer Reports warned of the dangers of eyelash extensions and the glue that are used to attach them to the lids and existing lashes http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2013/05/eyelash-extensions-pose-health-risk/ Around the same time, actress Kristin Chenoweth appeared with David Letterman on national TV after a severe allergic reaction from the process.
“The hidden dangers with eyelash extensions include infection, allergic reaction, irritation and loss of your natural lashes,” Dr. Orly Avitzur, a Tarrytown, N.Y., neurologist and medical adviser to Consumer Reports told ABC News.
In addition to allergic reactions to the glue, eyelash extensions may make harbor harmful bacteria which can cause bactierial infections in the eye area. Other problems noted by eyelash transplant surgeon, Dr. Alan J. Bauman in Boca Raton is the damage caused by traction alopecia of the natural eyelashes. Traction alopecia is a condition common to the scalp and other areas where consistent and chronic pulling or 'traction' causes the follicles to produce weaker hair over time, and potentially ceaseing hair production completely. This is the same permanent destruction of the hair follicle that occurs when patients with trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) pull consistently at their lashes, brows or scalp hair.
In the cases of eyelash extensions, many women notice that when the extensions are removed, they have fewer and weaker lashes over time. Eventually, in some patients, the damage from the eyelash extensions are permanent and will require eyelash transplantation in order to repair.
For more information on the dangers of eyelash extensions or what treatments are available visit http://www.eyelash-transplant.com