If you take the cosmetics companies at their word, there are few marvels that mascara can't perform on eyelashes: It thickens,
it lengthens, it defines, it makes skimpy lashes "fat" and "adds muscle" to limp ones. But in some instances this beauty-bag
basic might do more harm than good. Though most mascaras are safe when used as directed, they still carry some risk of eye
injury and infection that in rare cases could lead to loss of vision. Here are some tips to help you keep your eyes healthy
as you doll them up.
Apply mascara to the tips of your lashes. If you get it too close to the root, you could block the glands on your eyelids that help your eyes to form tears, and your
eyes might not get the lubrication they need, says Jack Schaeffer, O.D., chairman of the Contact Lens and Cornea Section of
the American Optometric Association (
www.aoa.org). That condition, called dry eye, can be painful or diminish your vision.
Don't share mascara. The mucous membranes around the eye harbor all sorts of bacteria that can easily latch on to a mascara brush, says Andrea
Thau, O.D, associate clinical professor at the State University of New York College of Optometry. If you come in contact with
another person's germs, you could wind up with
conjunctivitis or some other infection.
Don't add liquids to mascara. Putting anything but the brush into the tube could spell trouble. For example, tap water, which some use to thin mascara,
isn't sterile and can usher potentially harmful bugs into your makeup, Thau says. Saliva is also full of bacteria, so don't
use that either.
Bypass lash-extending mascaras if you wear contacts. Manufacturers often brag that the microfibers in those products give your lashes an extra boost. But those little particles
can also become trapped beneath your lens and scratch the cornea, increasing the risk of infection. Select hypoallergenic,
nonwaterproof mascaras that are less likely to irritate your eyes. You should always read the package label to be sure of
what you're getting, but it might also help to check out Web sites, such as Sephora.com, that allow you to see a cosmetic's
ingredients list.
Never apply mascara in a moving vehicle--even if you're the passenger. If the vehicle suddenly stops or jerks, you could poke yourself with the mascara brush and scratch the outer layer of your
cornea. Not only will that hurt, Thau says, but it also creates an opening for bacteria, which could cause an infection. When
applying mascara, stay as still as possible. To further shield your cornea, Thau says, look downward and raise your chin when
brushing your upper lid; look upward and lower your chin when brushing your lower lid.
Don't store mascara at room temperatures above 85° F, and don't leave it in your car for long periods. Temperatures can soar in a vehicle, making it easier for bacteria to grow.
Toss out your mascara every three months. By then bacteria will most likely be growing in it. Replacing mascara that frequently will also help you to avoid problems
such as having it become too gloppy to use. Throw out mascara sooner if it's discolored, begins to smell, or if you've recently
had an eye infection, which could mean the product is contaminated.
