5 Beauty Trends to Avoid for Healthy Eyes

What your eye doctor wants you to know before your next beauty appointment

We all love a good beauty trend. From fuller lashes to perfectly defined eyeliner, there are so many ways to enhance our natural beauty. But as an optometrist, I often see how some of these popular beauty treatments can affect the health of our eyes.

The skin around our eyes is delicate, and our eyelids play an important role in keeping our eyes healthy and comfortable. Our eyelashes help protect the eyes from debris, while the oil glands along our eyelid margins help maintain a healthy tear film. When beauty treatments interfere with these natural functions, they can lead to irritation, dryness, inflammation, and even long-term damage.

Before you book your next beauty appointment, here are five trends I encourage my patients to approach with caution.
 

1. Jelly Roll Botox

Botox has become a popular treatment for softening fine lines and wrinkles, but one area that deserves extra attention is the lower eyelid.

“Jelly roll” Botox refers to injections targeting the small muscle that creates a bulge just beneath the lower lash line when you smile. While relaxing this muscle may smooth the appearance of the under-eye area, the treatment can have unintended consequences for your eyes.

The muscles around our eyes are not just there for expression. They help us blink, close our eyes, and distribute tears across the ocular surface. Relaxing these muscles too much can interfere with the natural blink mechanism and may contribute to dry eye symptoms, irritation, or difficulty fully closing the eyelids.

For patients who already struggle with dry eye, this is especially important. Before considering Botox around the eyes, I recommend discussing your ocular health with both your eye doctor and your qualified injector. Consider Opti lift as a viable alternative to improving the appearance of your undereye. It improves your dryness, lid function, and your undereye appearance.
 

2. Tattoo Eyeliner

Permanent eyeliner may seem like the perfect solution for a polished, effortless look. However, tattooing along the eyelid margin can pose risks to the delicate structures responsible for keeping our eyes comfortable.

The eyelid margin contains tiny oil glands called meibomian glands. These glands produce the oils that help prevent our tears from evaporating too quickly. Tattoo pigment placed too close to these glands may cause inflammation, scarring, or damage that can interfere with their function.

Tattoo eyeliner can also lead to allergic reactions, infections, and chronic irritation. Even if the procedure initially looks beautiful, the effects on the eyelid tissue may become more noticeable over time.

If you love eyeliner, consider traditional makeup that can be removed at the end of the day. And remember: keeping makeup away from the inner eyelid margin is one of the best ways to protect your tear film.
 

3. Waterproof Mascara

Waterproof mascara is a beauty staple for weddings, workouts, vacations, and those days when we want our lashes to stay perfectly in place. But its staying power can come at a cost.

Waterproof formulas are designed to resist moisture, which also makes them more difficult to remove. The extra rubbing and cleansing required can irritate the delicate skin around the eyes, contribute to lash breakage, and potentially worsen dry eye symptoms.

Mascara can also accumulate along the lash line, where debris may interfere with the normal function of the eyelid glands.

For patients with sensitive eyes or dry eye disease, I often recommend choosing a fragrance-free, ophthalmologist-tested mascara that is easier to remove. Tubing mascaras can be a good alternative for some patients because they typically come off with warm water and gentle pressure.

Regardless of the formula, always remove your mascara before bed and avoid sharing eye makeup.
 

4. Lash Tints and Lifts

Lash lifts and tints have become increasingly popular for creating the appearance of longer, darker, and more curled lashes without daily mascara.

A lash lift uses chemical solutions to reshape the lashes, while a tint applies color to make them appear darker. Although these treatments may seem harmless, the chemicals are used very close to the ocular surface.

Potential complications include allergic reactions, eyelid irritation, chemical burns, and inflammation. If products accidentally enter the eye, they can cause significant discomfort and potentially damage the ocular surface.

The FDA also cautions consumers about certain eyelash and eyebrow tinting products, particularly those containing coal-tar dyes.

If you choose to have these treatments, make sure you visit a reputable, properly trained professional who follows appropriate safety protocols. Never use products intended for hair dye on your eyelashes.

And if you experience redness, burning, swelling, or persistent irritation after a treatment, do not ignore it.
 

5. Lash Extensions Every Day

Long, full lashes can make a dramatic difference in your appearance, but wearing lash extensions continuously may not be the best choice for your eye health.

Lash extensions are attached to your natural eyelashes using adhesive. The adhesive can cause allergic reactions or irritation, and the added weight may contribute to premature lash shedding or damage to the natural lashes.

Extensions can also make it more difficult to clean the eyelid margins thoroughly. This can allow bacteria, oils, and debris to accumulate, increasing the risk of eyelid inflammation, including blepharitis.

For patients who already experience dry eye, the added weight and altered airflow around the eyelids may contribute to discomfort.

If you love lash extensions, consider taking breaks between applications, keeping the lash line clean, and avoiding extensions that are too heavy for your natural lashes. Never pull extensions off yourself, as this can damage your natural lashes.
 

Beauty Should Never Come at the Expense of Your Eye Health

As an optometrist, I understand the desire to look and feel your best. I also know that healthy eyes are an essential part of that beauty.

Many of these treatments can be enjoyed more safely when you understand the potential risks and take the proper precautions. However, if you already have dry eye, sensitive eyes, or eyelid inflammation, certain beauty trends may make your symptoms worse.

At Novel Eye Care, we believe that beautiful eyes begin with healthy eyes. If you are experiencing burning, redness, irritation, fluctuating vision, or a persistent feeling that something is in your eye, it may be time for a comprehensive eye examination.

And if you are considering a new beauty treatment around your eyes, don't hesitate to ask your eye doctor whether it is a good choice for you.

Your eyes deserve to be cared for just as much as the rest of your beauty routine.

Dr. Julianne Koch, OD
Owner, Novel Eye Care | Nashville, Tennessee