LASH extensions are leaving women with skin mites, sore eyes and a chronic, long-term dry eye condition.
A study of hundreds of young women who were lash clinic regulars found most had tiny mites, called Demodex folliculorum, living on their lashes.
Many also regularly experienced eye irritation, while some developed a condition affecting the glands near eyelashes – causing chronically dry eyes.
Dr Tetiana Zhmud, from the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, said: “Eyelash extensions are an extremely popular cosmetic procedure among young women because they provide the appearance of longer and fuller eyelashes without the need for mascara.
“At the same time, there is growing evidence suggesting that this procedure may create problems on the surface of the eye, including irritation, dry eye symptoms, and meibomian gland dysfunction.”
Researchers, who presented their study at the Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, carried out a survey of 345 women between the ages of 16 and 28.
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Among the women who had had eyelash extensions at least ten times, researchers found most (85 per cent) had signs of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
Meibomian glands produce an oily substance to prevent the eyes from drying out.
If MGD is not treated, it can result in damage to the cornea.
The researchers used a microscope to examine samples of eyelashes from 25 women who regularly had eyelash extensions.
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All but one had skin mites, which can cause a painful skin reaction called demodicosis.
Eighteen of the women showed signs of skin irritation from mites, including itching and irritation around the eyelids, redness, swelling, eyelashes sticking together, and scaly skin at the base of the lashes.
Professor Sorcha Ni Dhubhghaill, an eye specialist who was not involved in the research, said: “Although these mites are common, we don’t typically see a lot of them in younger women.
“Usually if they are present on the eyelashes, we spot them by the ‘collarettes’ they leave around the eyelashes.
“These are waxy rings made up of dead mites, mite faeces and mite eggs, mixed with skin and oil.
“Since the adhesive used during eyelash extension procedures is applied near the base of the natural lashes, where collarettes are typically located, it could be much harder to spot them in women using eyelash extensions.”
Almost a quarter of the women in the study had eyelash extensions and of these, more than half (58 per cent) had them done every three to four weeks.
Almost half of those who had eyelash extensions (47.6 per cent) said they had discomfort, redness, tearing or itching after the procedure.
Dr Zhmud said: “It is important to emphasise that the presence of Demodex folliculorum does not necessarily indicate disease, as these mites may be part of the normal ocular microbiota.
“But it is important to detect them if they are causing symptoms, signs of inflammation and meibomian gland dysfunction.”
The researchers said there were ways to side-step nasty reactions and make lash extensions safer.
Dr Zhmud said people getting regular lash extensions shouldn’t skimp on proper hygiene.
Dr Zhmud said: “Our findings do not suggest that people should completely avoid eyelash extensions.
“However, they highlight the importance of proper eyelid hygiene, awareness of symptoms and timely assessment when symptoms arise.”
She recommended cleaning the lashes twice a day with hypoallergenic gel and an eyelash brush.
Meanwhile, people with skin mites may need to undergo anti-parasitic treatment.
The researchers noted that this is a small study, which didn’t include a comparison with women without lash extensions.
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They say further research should include a larger group of people with and without eyelash extensions, to examine whether people with extensions are more likely to get mites.