As with everything, there is a certain level of risk whenever working with a chemical near your eye. I do not recommend doing them yourself. If you really want them, I advise working with an experienced esthetician who uses verified products. This will help reduce the risk, but not eliminate it.
Problems that can arise are allergic reactions/contact dermatitis of the lid, lid inflammation/irritation, and styes. There is also a risk of a chemical burn or abrasion to the cornea if the glue or metallic based liner touches your eye. Safety tips include:
- Use partial strips instead of ones that cover the full lash line.
- Use glue that does not have formaldehyde.
- Take breaks & replace every 2-4 weeks.
- Clean your lids with over the counter hypochlorous acid eyelid cleanser. It will clean the lashes without dissolving the glue.
- Put a small amount of the glue/adhesive on your wrist before application to make sure you are not allergic.
The most important thing is the safety of your eyes, so if you ever have any concerns, getting into your eye doctor sooner versus later is advised. If you have any questions or comments, please send an email to drlillie@familyvisionoptical.com.