Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Eye Make Up Removal 101
Optometrists study anatomy, physiology, optics, pharmacology, contact lens fitting, and
how to prescribe for eye and vision problems. But there is no course in Eye Make Up Removal
101 and many eye doctors and their patients do not recognize the problems that can be created
by improper makeup removal.
Could eye irritation and contact lens wear problems be caused by improper eye make up
removal? The answer is YES!
The ocular surface, which includes the cornea, receives part of its protective tear
coverage from small glands that line the eyelid margin. These glands are called meibomian
glands and when meibomian glands get blocked or don't function properly, the tear film is
more likely to evaporate. By not removing makeup properly, women can disrupt the ability of
the meibomian glands to protect the tear film. This causes dry eye symptoms and contact
lens problems.
Asking patients how they remove their makeup can truly be an "eye opening experience".
First of all many don't remove their makeup - they let it "wear away". Some just used
plain water to 'rinse off' makeup. Some use baby oil or Vaseline. Some use makeup removers.
One person even told me she used alcohol to remove her makeup because she considered this a
"natural" product!
Commercial make up removers, baby oil or Vaseline all remove makeup from the skin around
the eye but they will often leave behind a "sludge" that consists of a combination of makeup
remover and makeup on the eyelid rim. The eyelid rim is the part of the eyelid adjacent to
the cornea, conjunctiva and tear film. Every time someone blinks, the upper lid rim touches
the lower lid rim and spreads whatever fluid is on the lower lid across the cornea just
like a car windshield wiper will spread across a windshield any debris that is at the
bottom of the windshield. We hope that the only fluid on the lower lid margin is the clear
fluid produced by healthy meibomian glands. But, if there is makeup or make up removal
residue on this lower rim, then the "windshield wiper effect" is spreading particles and
oily matter across the tear film. Worse yet, the makeup and makeup removal products can
block the meibomian gland "good fluid". This can contribute to dry, itchy and uncomfortable
eyes.
So what is the best way to remove makeup?
Well, first let's discuss what we do when we put make up on. It is important to use
only NON waterproof eye makeup. Waterproof makeup is too difficult to remove without
heavy duty makeup removers. When you apply eyeshadow or foundation, do not use a scatter
method with your makeup brush - you can end up with thousands of miniscule particles in the
eye. These particles are so small that you may not be aware of feeling something in their
eyebut the particles contribute to the feeling that the eyes are dry or uncomfortable and
they can disrupt the quality of the tear film. Creamy concealers or shadows will migrate
towards the eye, so make sure these are not applied to the very edge of the lid margin.
If you wear light eye makeup, you can easily remove it by washing your face and your
eyelids with a gentle soap or cleanser. As you wash your face, simply "shampoo" the area of
your eyelids with your fingertips to help remove eye makeup residue. Do this at bedtime and
also in the morning. Creamy soap bars or creamy cleansers do not work well for this as
they can block delicate meibomian gland openings. Do not use cleansers with "scrub" particles
around your eyelids. If your skin is dry, use a mild soapy or foaming cleanser and then
add moisturizer to your skin. If you are using an acne type soap (or a facial cleanser that
has scrub particles), simply wash your face and eyes first with a gentle soap, and then
follow that with the acne or scrub product.
If you wear heavier eye makeup, you may need to use a make up removal product. Do not use
baby oil or Vaseline. "Light" makeup removal products are better. The key is that AFTER you
have used the makeup removal product, wash your face and gently "shampoo" your eyelids with a
mild, non-creamy facial soap or cleanser. And, in the morning, wash your face and eyelids
again.
Many people are afraid to wash or "shampoo" their eyelids with soap because someone in
their childhood told them they would get soap in their eyes. But if you keep your eyes
closed as you gently massage the area with your finger tips, and you are use a mild soap
or cleanser, this is not a problem.
Follow these instructions and you may just find that your eyelids and your eyes look
and feel better!
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