Plucking the eyelashes can be somewhat beneficial when for cosmetic purposes. It can make your makeup application easier and get rid of those unruly out-of-control lashes that refuse to be tamed. Understanding that eyelashes do not grow back quickly is important so that you avoid unnecessary and overabundant plucking.
How to Pluck your Eyelashes
Clean the eyelid with tear-free shampoo and gently dab dry with a clean towel. Once you have cleansed the skin, take a pair of tweezers that have been sterilized in alcohol and dried. Make sure the lighting in the room where you will pluck your lashes is bright enough to see each individual lash. Using a magnification mirror can help eliminate the risk of injuring the eyelid. Carefully choose the eyelash that is to be plucked and take hold of it with the tweezers while holding the skin taut. This will prevent injury to the eye in case of slippage. In one rapid motion, pluck the eyelash out of the follicle. This is all that is required in order to pluck your eyelashes.
Compulsive Eyelash Plucking
A nervous disorder called trichotillomania occurs in children and adults and can be associated with obsessive compulsive disorder. With this disorder, children or adults pull out hairs on their head, eyebrows or eyelashes. This can be described as a nervous tic and is very troublesome. The extent of pulling creates bald spots and eventual death of the hair follicle, making regrowth impossible. Psychiatric counseling and medications are prescribed to help this condition. Antidepressants and antipsychotic medications are commonly given to patients suffering from trichotillomania. These medications calm overproduction of chemicals in the brain that cause these compulsions as well as increase serotonin, or the "feel good" hormone, to hold low self-esteem and anxiety at bay.
Dangers of Eyelash Plucking
When plucking your eyelashes, there are some things to consider that will keep eyes healthy. As mentioned earlier, eyelashes serve as protection to the eye from dust and other particles that could cause scratches and other irritations along with infections to the eye. Plucking out too many eyelashes will leave your eyes at greater risk of injury and bacteria. Eyelashes grow slower than eyebrows and other body hair, so overplucking can be detrimental to cosmetic concerns. Sterilization of tweezers is important, as they can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Never use tweezers that have not been properly sterilized or are chipped or broken.
Remedies for Overplucking
If you find yourself in the situation where you have in fact lost too many eyelashes during a plucking session, the you can do some things to hide it until your eyelashes grow back. Fake eyelashes are available at most beauty supply stores and drugstores. With fake eyelashes, an adhesive is used to secure them to your upper eyelid. Fake eyelashes should not be slept in and should be properly removed nightly with a good adhesive remover. Ripping off fake eyelashes can kill the hair follicles and prevent your own lashes from growing back. Also, applying petroleum jelly to your eyelids nightly will help keep the skin moisturized and promotes hair growth. Makeup can also hide the missing lashes. Eyeliner can give the effect of eyelashes by sweeping a thin layer onto the upper eyelid.
When to See a Professional
If you experience excessive plucking to the point of obsession or if you have developed red, irritated eyes or eyelids as a result of plucking, then you should visit a physician. Antibiotics can help treat bacterial infection caused by plucking and creams can be prescribed for skin irritation. Obsessive plucking can be treated with antipsychotic drugs and antidepressants. Always use caution when plucking eyelashes, and don't pluck more than one at a time.
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