Eye Cosmetic Safety Guidelines

Many people use cosmetics on a daily basis to cover blemishes and enhance their beauty. Today there is Latisse®, a prescription used to obtain longer lashes. Pack et al. (2008) found Staphylococcus epidermis, Streptococcus species and fungi in Mascara tubes after 3 month of use. These alone pose a danger, but scratch your cornea while applying your makeup and you’ve just increased your risk for infection. Contact Lens wearers are also at an increased risk and need to take separate precautions with make-up. However, there are ways to avoid infection, injury and side effects of Latisse® by simply improving technique and maintenance.
Some problems cosmetic users face:
::* Ignoring proper maintenance can cause bacteria and fungi to grow. Therefore, brushes need to be cleaned on a regular basis and eye makeup needs to be replaced every 3 months. However, in a study done by Dhawan, et al. (2010) found that approximately 66% of women do not clean their brushes, less than half replaced their makeup more frequently than every 6months, while 62% of women experienced makeup related vision problems.
::*Users are unaware about ingredients that pose health risks. Kohl eyeliner may cause lead poisoning and benzalkonium chloride in Latisse® can be absorbed by contact lenses and cause irritation.
::* Many cosmetic users don’t follow proper safety and hygiene routines. Users should avoid sharing make-up, always wash their hands before applying and never apply it while driving. However, Dhawan, et al found that 27% of women surveyed share their make-up, almost 66% do not wash their hands, and 20% of women apply it while driving.
Safe Application
Make sure not to apply makeup while in motion, i.e. driving, as this can lead to eye injuries such as a corneal scratch which can lead to infection
Ingredient Safety
Dangers of Unsafe Ingredients
Check ingredients when buying eye cosmetics or related products such as makeup removers. It is the law (Labeling Act, “FPLA”) that cosmetics have ingredients on the label, and if they do not the ingredients should be accessible on a display or elsewhere. Visit the FDA.com for alerts on unused cosmetics or cosmetic kits that have been found to have microbial contamination at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_136.html Visit this website http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com, which can tell you what ingredients in eye makeup and removers are harmful. Beware of eyeliners containing kohl. They can cause lead poisoning can lead to kidney problems, neurological disorders, seizueres, coma, anemia, and death.

Use, Maintenance and Storage
*Replace Mascara, eyeshadow and eyeliner every 3 month as they can grow bacteria.. Keep them out of your hot steamy bathroom, the heat breaks down the preservatives and the moisture provides a happy place for bacteria to live. Avoid glittery and iridescent products, these can scratch and irritate your eye. Never dye your eyebrows or eyelashes; an allergic reaction can cause eye infection and even blindness.
* Stop using any eye cosmetic that causes irritation.
* Never share make-up as it increases the risk of contamination and can transfer infectious bacteria from one person to another. Other people's bacteria may be hazardous to you .
* Don't use eye make-up if you have an eye infection; throw away all products you were using when you discovered the infection and consult a physician immediately.
* Don't use imported eye cosmetics containing illegal colour additives. In the U.S., the use of colour additives for cosmetic use is linked to lead poisoning in children.
* Don't use permanent eyelash and eyebrow tints and dyes as they have been known to cause serious eye injuries, including blindness.
Contact Lenses and Cosmetics
* When to put in contacts: put on soft contact lenses prior to makeup application. Put on rigid gas-permeable lenses after makeup is applied. And always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your contacts, so you won't transfer any oils, creams or lotions to the lenses.
* Remove lenses before removing makeup
* Apply any powder make-up around the eyes carefully with your eyes closed, though it is best to use cream and liquid eye shadows as powder ones can cause particles to get in the eye, causing irritation.
* Use liquid foundations that are water-based and hypoallergenic. Oily, creamy makeup may leave film on contacts so use caution. Powder foundation may also be applied, though caution should be used when applying them around your eyes.
* Use waterproof mascaras and eyeliners. Mascara should be alcohol free and not eyelash-extending, since these contain fibers that can irritate eyes, and the eyeliner should be soft not liquid. Try not to touch base of the eyelashes when applying mascara and avoid putting on eyeliner on the area between your eyelid and eyelashes, since it can get on your contact lens and irritate the eye.
LATTISE
About LATTISE
LATTISE is the first and only FDA approved eyelash enhancement product. Produced by Allergen (the same company who manufactures Botox), the prescription is used to treat hypotrichosis, a technical term for having too few eyelashes.
Possible Side Effects
* Some degree of lowered intraocular pressure, although not clinically significant, can occur
* Unequal hair length, thickness, direction, pigmentation can occur
* Benzalkonium Chloride in LATTISE can be absorbed by your contact lenses
* Hair growth on areas in contact with LATTISE
* Ocular irritation
* Dry Eye
* Skin hyperpigmentation (Bimatoprost)
* Erythmia of the eyelid (skin redness)
* Conjuctival hyperemia (vasodilation)
* Pruritis (itching)
Drug Do's
* Remove contact lenses before application, wait at least 15 minutes before re-inserting lenses
* Use a sterile disposable applicator for application of the product
* Be sure not to touch the area of skin around lashes while applying drops
* Immediately after application, squeeze tear ducts for about 1 minute to minimize amount of medicine absorbed into bloodstream
* Drops make vision blurry, do not drive or operate machinery until this has worn off
* Bottles are no longer sterile after 4 weeks, dispose by returning bottle to your pharmacy.
* Label the date of the first opening on the bottle for your personal reference
* Regular eye exams by optometrist recommended while using this product
Drug Don'ts
* If pregnant: safety during pregnancy has not been established
* If breast feeding: not known whether medication enters breast milk
* If you have showed allergic reactions
* Not recommended if under 18 as no information regarding safety and efficiency has been established

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