On this episode of American Horror Story: Magnificence, I’m sorry to report that, on a microscopic stage, some creepy, crawly characters reside in your face. Nearly everybody has a kind of mite referred to as Demodex close to their hair follicles (i.e., their lashes and brows) that feed on oils, pores and skin cells, and hormones. The overwhelming majority of the time, you gained’t even discover they’re there—these tiny critters hang around in your pores and skin symbiotically and fortunately. Generally, although, Demodex mites get a bit of too comfy and trigger points—particularly you probably have lash extensions and don’t all the time preserve them as clear as it is best to.
If Demodex mites proliferate an excessive amount of across the eye space, they will result in demodicosis (face mite overgrowth) of a sort particularly generally known as Demodex blepharitis (an irritation of the eyelid from the face mites) and pores and skin points like itchiness and flaking. These are particularly widespread amongst folks with eyelash extensions, since these will be magnets for buildup of the stuff these mites prefer to eat.
Why do these little freaks punish us for glamor, and the way does it feel and look after they’re inflicting bother round your eyes? Right here’s what to learn about these face invaders in case you’re noticing some bizarre pores and skin signs after getting your lashes accomplished.
Mites thrive when there’s a buildup of oil or make-up round your lashes.
The rationale that Demodex mites flourish on some folks’s pores and skin extra so than others’ is kind of easy: entry to meals. Faux eyelashes can generally lead mites to return and feast as a result of a) folks generally keep away from cleaning their eyes to lengthen the lifetime of their extensions and b) further adhesive across the lash line can lure micro organism and particles.
Dendy Engelman, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York Metropolis, tells SELF {that a} signature early signal you might have too many Demodex mites is “dry and irritated eyes that may really feel like burning, stinging, or itching.” If the issue goes unchecked from there, you may also have signs like “redness, dry or tough scaly patches, or crustiness across the eyes,” she says. The crud that varieties there’s a byproduct of cylindrical dandruff—a waxy, scaly substance that builds up on the follicle base round particular person lashes—and collarettes, a.ok.a., uh, mite poop. The extra mites in your face, the extra crusting you’re more likely to expertise.
The best way to preserve your lashes clear to keep away from mite overgrowth
Whenever you get lash extensions, your technician normally asks you to kind of elevate your proper hand and repeat after them: “No harsh cleansers.” However that doesn’t imply you shouldn’t use cleansers at all—fairly the other.
To be able to preserve mites at bay and your lashes intact, simply be selective. “Wash with a delicate, non-soap cleanser by working a Q-Tip alongside the lash line,” says Dr. Gohara. “Additionally cleanse between the eyebrows, the place [Demodex mites] like to cover within the follicle.” (When you’ve got an lively infestation, she says you’ll have to repeat this twice a day, however in any other case, a every day cleanse might be advantageous.)