On this episode of American Horror Story: Magnificence, I’m sorry to report that, on a microscopic degree, some creepy, crawly characters reside in your face. Virtually everybody has a sort 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 little bit too snug and trigger points—particularly in case you 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’ll result in demodicosis (face mite overgrowth) of a form particularly referred to as Demodex blepharitis (an irritation of the eyelid from the face mites) and pores and skin points like itchiness and flaking. These are particularly frequent amongst folks with eyelash extensions, since these might 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 appear and feel after they’re inflicting hassle round your eyes? Right here’s what to find out about these face invaders if you happen to’re noticing some bizarre pores and skin signs after getting your lashes carried out.
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 sort of easy: entry to meals. Faux eyelashes can typically lead mites to return and feast as a result of a) folks typically keep away from cleaning their eyes to lengthen the lifetime of their extensions and b) additional adhesive across the lash line can entice micro organism and particles.
Dendy Engelman, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York Metropolis, tells SELF {that a} signature early signal you have got 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 types 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 prone to expertise.
How you can preserve your lashes clear to keep away from mite overgrowth
If you get lash extensions, your technician often 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 alternative.
To be able to preserve mites at bay and your lashes intact, simply be selective. “Wash with a mild, non-soap cleanser by operating 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.” (In case you have an lively infestation, she says you’ll must repeat this twice a day, however in any other case, a each day cleanse might be positive.)