Believe it or not we all have horrid little bugs living in our eyelashes.

Yuk!

But don’t worry about it. They are so tiny, less than 0.4 mm long, you will not be able to see them. Being so small they are known as micro-organisms, and they are actually good bugs as they fight off the bad bacteria which comes from the bad outside world and help to keep us healthy. They are, in fact, just a tiny number of the millions of tiny animals that live off our bodies.

Demodex Folliculorum

as they are known, live around hair follicles, mainly on the face and into the outer ear channel. They live head down in the follicles, feeding on secretions and dead skin debris.

Unfortunately, infection of the eye can occur if  large numbers are present in one single lash follicle. This can lead to the lash falling out. The cause of this is unknown but it is more common in oily skinned people  or people with less than adequate hygiene. Increasing age will often result in diseases like blepharitis, due to these bugs.

Eyelashes have an important cosmetic function, particularly for women, as they set off and help to accentuate the eyes and add substance to the lids. It is believed that the reason we have eyelashes is to serve as a sensory organ warning that an object is close to the eye and evasive action, such as moving the head or closing the eyes, should be taken.

As humans have developed so eyelash fluttering to denote an interest, possibly sexual, in others has come into play. Long thick eyelashes are considered a sign of feminine beauty and the use of mascara to artificially thicken and enhance them is a basic make up routine.

Eyelashes are subject to a number of afflictions that can cause them to become thin or completely lost. Among these are Madarosis which results in the loss of lashes. Blepharitis occurs on the eyelid edges where the lashes grow, they become infected and flaky causing irritation. In-growing lashes known as Trichiasis, parasitic infections and styes can also affect eyelash growth

Thinning or total loss of eyelashes can have a devastating effect on a woman’s confidence, the effect around the most important and noticeable feature on the face has, until recently, been impossible to permanently repair. In the past only the introduction of false eyelashes has helped to temporarily mitigate the noticeable absence of lashes.

Now techniques have been developed to effectively transplant human donor hair onto both the upper and lower eyelids without damaging the prospects for new lash follicles to grow and flourish and existing lashes to remain undamaged.

Transplanting eyelashes is a delicate procedure requiring highly skilled micro surgical techniques, specialised instruments and measurement technology and a trained and experienced medical team.

Although some men undergo eyelash transplants, the majority of procedures are carried out on women, the only variation is the number of lashes that are transplanted as women have more lashes and denser growth than men.

The number of lashes to be transplanted is assessed in each case, depending upon the number of lashes already existing on the lids. On average a total of anywhere between 30 and 80 lashes are implanted, one at a time, and will eventually grow normally. In normal circumstances an eyelash takes between two and three months to grow.

The procedure is carried out in most cases under local anaesthetic and should be painless. The patient will have some bruising that will disappear leaving a natural look, permanent results and any scarring should be virtually undetectable.

It is vitally important that anybody considering the procedure should carry out rigorous checks on any medical facility offering eyelash transplant operations. At the least you will need to know about their experience and see for yourself evidence of their past successes, verifiable testimonials are a good start.
Some eyelash transplant procedures have not had a high success rate, new growth has been restricted or completely lost and existing lashes damaged so do carry out a careful investigation and obtain the best possible advice.

The cost in the USA is around $3000 an eye and can vary considerably. The first eyelashes transplant in the UK took place this summer (2009) at a cost of three thousand five hundred British Pounds. The nineteen year old patient suffered from trichtillomania, an obsessive pulling out of hair. The four hour procedure involved taking hairs from the back of the patients head and inserting them in her eyelids, where they are expected to take four to six months to thicken up.

The surgeon who carried out the operation is quoted as saying “ we often look to America for the latest in cosmetic surgery as they are the pioneers in the industry, but not all are as successful or as safe as this one”

In todays society women are becoming more and more pressured to maintain their youthful looks.

However, holding onto those looks is difficult as we age.

One of the problems facing many women, especially after menopause, is the loss of their eyelashes. There may be medical reasons for losing lashes but for those whose lashes are slowly but surely disappearing action has to be taken.

One company, Cosmetic Alchemy, has developed a product that is getting such excellent feedback from doctors that they offer a 90 day guarantee.

One of the many testimonials even claims to have her eyelashes and brows growing back after having completed a chemotherapy course.

Not cheap but one tube lasts for about 5 months, so definitely worth a go.

Are you using the latest hot mascara for your lashes or are you still using your old one which is probably bacterially infected if it’s older than 6 months?

Is that a risk worth taking? Check out these eye cosmetic safety tips.

Eyelashes make our eyes stand out and with today’s technology the cosmetic manufacturers are bringing out better and better quality products.

If you are in need of updating your sexy eye makeup look here are a few  products to freshen up your makeup bag and get you looking hot.

Whats Hot In Lashes Now

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara 101 Rich Black Straight Brush

Avon MIni WASH-OFF WATERPROOF Mascara

Lancome L’ Extreme Mascara

Whats Hot Next Year

Look out for

• Estee Lauders revolutionary vibrating wand – now a sell out in Harrods, London but expected nationwide in the UK by February.

• L’oreal Paris Extra Volume Collagen Mascara -helps give thin eyelashes that extra boost.

• Max factor False Lash Effect Mascara – get the false lash effect with 2 coats of this show stopping product.

Now the often hideous Halloween look is over, is the time for taking a close look at your most noticeable feature – your eyes.

Although our eyes are one of our prominent facial features without Mother Nature’s gift of eyelashes to emphasize them they would recede into our faces.

Therefore you should look after them well.

The fact is that the longer and thicker your eyelashes are the more your eyes will stand out.

For some fortunate people are born with long silky lashes but what about the rest of us poor mortals who somehow end up with short spiky things that neither emphasize nor of flatter our eyes.

Genetics play their part here. Body hair grows at different rates, with some people never appearing to be able to grow their hair long.

Eyelashes will normally have a growth cycle of about 4 – 8 weeks but if you notice that your lashes are looking sparse here are a few tips to help improve them.

• Carefully coat your lashes with caster oil at night, making sure not to get it into your eyes

• Take off all eye makeup thoroughly at night with a gentle specific eye makeup remover

• Never pull at your lashes while removing makeup

• Use mascara sparingly and never allow it to create ugly looking clumps which could tear the lashes from their roots

• Eyelash curlers can make a great deal of difference to the look of your eyes by opening up and making them look bigger. However, be careful not to use curlers on newly mascarad lashes or they could get stuck to the curlers with disastrous results.

• Using a product like RapidLash Renewal Serum will help amplify the length, thickness and volume. RapidLash helps to transform thin or short lashes into thicker and longer lashes.

There are many reasons for eyelashes to fall out

and some of these ailments are treatable so all is not lost..

Well ! I know I used to smother myself top and bottom with false eyelashes, but nowadays that’s the last thing on my mind when I get dolled up for an evening out.

I want the ‘au naturel’ look, understated with hopefully a hint of youthful bloom left.
Of course I will be wearing my full face armour only less obviously and its not so easy to look natural I can tell you.

• Choosing the right foundation cream or powder for your skin
• Making the best color choice in eye shadow
• Definitely using only moisturizing mascara
• Just a slick of nude lipstick or gloss
• A light sweep of color on the cheeks

False eyelashes are a pain

OK, I did used to be able to put them on in a jiffy, but now I want to be up and off in a jiffy.

I really must remember I’m not a model anymore. I can look like I want. No agent to criticize me for not wearing the latest celebrity look. No makeup artist to maul my skin, no hairdresser to drag my hair into wretched tied up styles.

I am free of all that

I still might get out of bed for $100,000 a day for the odd shoot though but that’s the only time you will ever catch me wearing false eyelashes.

When I was modeling it was the norm to wear false eyelashes. At first it was difficult but as they say practice makes perfect. I felt perfectly natural walking down the street with top and bottom falsies and heavy pancake foundation. Horrors.

However, today the more dramatic look is back and anything goes but just take care to get it right. You can take your choice from fur to synthetic eyelashes. Go and try.

Before Applying False Eyelashes

You will need: small scissors, free standing magnifying mirror, eyelash glue,  tweezers and eyeliner or eye shadow brush with a small round clean end, a small piece of aluminium foil or similar and a tooth pick.

How to Apply False Eyelashes

Steps:

Consider the look you want to achieve. Eyelashes come as either a full set to provide a dramatic and glamorous look, ideal for evening, small clumps which are applied to the outer edge of your lid for a subtle understated but well groomed look or as individual lashes to infill spaces and give a lighter look. They came in different shades so a natural look to match your own lash color is possible.
• They should be trimmed to the length you need. This can be to match your existing length or to give added length and thickness for that ultra glam look. Some sets of false lashes may be a right or left side, the outsides being fuller, so try not to forget to check this out.
• Carefully clean the areas around the eyes, paying particular attention to the upper lids and corners and making sure that all traces of makeup are removed.
• Squeeze a small amount of glue onto the foil and, holding the eyelash set in one hand, dip the end of the tooth pick into the glue. Then dab the glue in dots along the base but using sparingly. Wait a few moments and then, looking down into the mirror,  place the lashes as close to your own as possible, following the natural curve along its length. Adjust using tweezers or finger tips while the glue is still pliable.
• Follow the same routine with the clumps, starting at  the outer corners until you achieve the effect you want.. The same goes for the individual lashes.

Removing False Eyelashes

Tips

• Apply a dark liner to the eyelash line to make the effect more natural.
• Small clumps of false lashes trimmed to your natural eyelash length and applied spaced out along the lid can give a natural but very effective look, particularly for day time wear.

GO OUT AND HAVE FUN

Lots of people have such fair eyelashes that they need to wear mascara all the time to accentuate them . However, overuse of mascara can cause dryness, which in turn can lead to the possibility of the eyelashes falling out.

This is why there is such a demand from the clients of beauty salons worldwide for a permanent solution to eyelash color.

So voila Eyelash Dye

There are also times when wearing mascara is out of the question. For instance, if you are swimming or going to the gym and you still want to look good.

Lets face it, if your eye lashes are fair your eyes could look ‘piggy’ (ie small) and you’e not going to look your best. Are you?

If you are thinking about dyeing your lashes you’ll read lots about the dangers of the procedure. Well let me tell you, I’ve often had it done and guess what? No problems. As long as you go to a good reputable salon you will be OK

What you must never do is try it at home. The risks just are not worth it. It’s too near your eyes to take chances

If you decide that you really do want to do this at home, possibly because of cost or convenience, please understand that you will almost certainly never get professional results. It’s like comparing most things done by a professional.

They are usually 150% times better- even something as apparently simple as painting a wall will look better when a professional does it, i.e. streaks, runs, not enough preparation etc etc. etc. – need I go on.

The Advantages of Eyelash Dye

• No need to wear mascara
• Great if you suffer from mascara allergies
• Look good even when you wake up, and girls, we do actually want to look good in the morning sometimes don’t we?
• Fabulous for holidays when you are on the beach and in the sea.

The Disadvantages of Eyelash Dye

• Cost, although compares favorably with many other beauty treatments.
• The inconvenience of going to a salon.
• Although the beauty industry likes to call it permanent, in time the color will fade and will have to be renewed.
  

I don’t actually think there are any more disadvantages but if you are concerned about the safety of dyes, you should read this list of eye cosmetic safety tips

Having curly lashes give a girl instant uplift. Unfortunately over zealous use of mechanical eyelash curlers can damage the lashes leaving them possibly broken or distorted.

Now there’s a way you can have the look you want without torturing those lashes.

Pop into a beauty salon, making sure the staff are professionally trained, and get your lashes permed and tinted. Its quick, painless and cheap

The Benefits

• opens up the eye to give definition
• adds thickness to lashes
• if you suffer from mascara allergy this is the answer
• no more mascara smudges, go swimming or exercise knowing that your mascara won’t run.
• throw away your mascara and eyelash curlers
• perfect for the visually or the physically impaired
• tints are available in a variety of colors

The Procedure

Your eye makeup is removed completely, then using the desired rod size, small, medium or large, the technician will wrap your eyelashes very carefully  around the rod ensuring that they are straight and not overlapping. A permanent wave lotion is applied and left for 7-10 minutes. The lashes will then be cleaned and a hypoallergenic moisturizer applied to the lids.

LiLash: Share the Gift of Astounding Eyes

Are your eyelashes getting thinner and you don’t know why? The cause of the loss may be one of the following.

Trichotillomania

A psychiatric condition in which the sufferer pulls or rubs the lashes causing them to fall out. More evident at times of stress.

Alopecia Areata (AA)

An autoimmune disease characterized by areas of hair loss involving any hair bearing part of the body. AA confined solely to the eyelashes is extremely rare.

Blepharitis

A chronic disease with no known cure but can be kept under control with regular long term treatment.

Symptoms include any combination of redness, excessive watering, burning, itching, light sensitivity and a gritty irritation.

These symptoms can cause the sufferer to excessively rub the eyelids resulting in damage to the eyelash follicles and consequent eyelash loss.

Some forms of treatment particularly those that are recommended to remove the occurrence of crusting of the eyelids in severe cases can also damage the lashes unless carried out with extreme care.

Contact Allergic Dermatitis

A condition caused by an allergic reaction to a substance most likely of which is one or more of the products used in eye makeup. This condition should not be confused with blepharitis as it easy to remove the cause of the discomfort.

Eyelash Loss Treatment and Prognosis

Trichtillomania

Psychiatric help should be sought as soon as possible.

The eyelash follicles will recover and growth should become evident unless the pulling of the lashes is continued over a long period of time.

There may be some thinning. The sooner the problem is recognized and treatment is started the less damage is likely to occur.

Alopecia Areata (AA)

Seek the advice of a dermatologist as soon as any areas of hair loss on the body are observed. If the diagnosis is AA then the condition is treatable possibly with systematic steroids. If the eyelashes have become affected then regrowth can usually be expected within three months.

Blepharitis

The bacteria causing this common eye problem can be hard to treat.

There are three different forms of this condition so it is important that your medical adviser investigates which type you are suffering from in order to prescribe the best possible treatment to control the problem and alleviate the symptoms.

Contact Allergic Dermatitis

Although it is possible for the sufferer to discover the source of the allergy by trial and error it is better by far to seek the advice of a qualified dermatologist as soon as the problem becomes evident. Changing your make up may simply prolong the discomfort as the same ingredient which is causing the allergic reaction may be present in other makeup products. The longer the condition persists the more damage you may be doing to the follicles, which may result in noticeable thinning of the lashes.