Many women choose to wear eyelash extensions. It’s a nice little way for many people to feel more confident, enhance their look, and draw more attention to their eyes. However, did you know that these extensions could be putting you at the mercy of ‘lash lice’?
Well, there’s a specific type of lice, known as Demodex, that loves to make a home for itself among eyelash extensions.
In fact, doctors say they’re dealing with a big surge in Demodex cases and are trying to raise awareness about this issue so more women know the risks they face when wearing extensions.
If you do get lash lice, not only is it pretty gross to imagine those creepy little things crawling around near your eyeballs, but symptoms can also include redness and itchiness around the eyes.
Plus, since lash lice can be transmitted from person to person quite easily, you’d also be putting other people at risk of getting them. This is why it’s important to take action and reduce your risk of attracting these little lice to protect yourself and others.
Dr. Partha Nandi of WXYZ-TV Detroit explained that these lice generally live around the face, near hair follicles, feeding off dead skin cells. Many people have some of these tiny parasites on them, and they’re harmless for the most part, but when you start to get too many, that’s when the risks begin to add up.
Dr. Narthi added that you can spot a lash lice infestation by seeing little bits of debris on the lashes or feeling irritation and inflammation around the eyes.
If you wear eyelash extensions and notice that the lashes are looking a little dirty or you have red, itchy skin at the base of the lashes, it might be time to get yourself checked out for lice.
What causes the lash lice to love eyelash extensions so much?
Well, many women worry about touching or cleaning their extensions for fear that they might fall out. Extensions can be quite expensive, so it’s only natural that many ladies try and protect them, but if you don’t clean your lashes, you’re creating a dirty environment where bacteria and lice are much more likely to thrive and multiply.
So what can you do to still enjoy eyelash extensions without running the risk of dealing with Demodex?
Well, the first thing to do is start cleaning your extensions on a daily basis. A natural cleanser with tea tree oil is a great choice to be kind to your lashes and skin. Tea tree oil is a great antibacterial agent that cleans the skin and can strengthen hair follicles too.
You can also visit an optometrist for a more thorough and professional clean, and it can’t hurt to give your eyes a little break from lash extensions every now and then and not wear them all the time. Check out the video below to learn more about lash lice and what you can do to avoid them.
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