A study among young women who regularly have eyelash extensions has found that most have tiny mites, called Demodex folliculorum, living on their lashes. These mites can cause a painful reaction in the skin called demodicosis. The research, presented at the 44th Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS),1 also found that many of the women have symptoms of eye irritation and most have problems with meibomian glands.
The study was presented by Dr. Tetiana Zhmud, from the department of ophthalmology at National Pirogov Memorial Medical University in Vinnytsia, Ukraine. Dr Zhmud and her colleagues carried out a survey of 345 women aged between 16 and 28. They found that almost a quarter had ever had eyelash extensions, more than half (58%) had eyelash extensions every 3 to 4 weeks, and almost half of those who had eyelash extensions (47.6%) said they had discomfort, redness, tearing, or itching after the procedure.
The researchers used meibography, where infrared light makes it possible to see the meibomian glands through the eyelids. Among the women who had had eyelash extensions at least 10 times, the researchers found most (85%) had signs of meibomian gland dysfunction.
Next, the researchers used a microscope to examine samples of eyelashes from 25 women who regularly had eyelash extensions. In all but 1 of the women, they found Demodex folliculorum mites. In 18 of the women, there were signs of skin irritation typically caused by skin mites, including itching and irritation around the eyelids, redness, swelling, eyelashes sticking together, and scaly skin at the base of the lashes.
“Our findings do not suggest that people should completely avoid eyelash extensions," said Dr. Zhmud. "However, they highlight the importance of proper eyelid hygiene, awareness of symptoms, and timely assessment when symptoms arise. For optimal care of eyelash extensions, the use of a preservative-free, hypoallergenic gel designed for therapeutic eyelid hygiene may be recommended twice daily using an eyelash cleansing brush. In individuals with confirmed Demodex infestation, a course of antiparasitic treatment may be considered."
She continued, "For clinicians, these findings emphasize the importance of considering demodectic blepharitis in patients presenting with chronic eyelid irritation, particularly those who regularly use eyelash extensions. For beauty professionals, our results may support the development of recommendations regarding eyelid hygiene and the need to inform clients about potential ocular health risks associated with repeated eyelash extension procedures.”
The researchers caution that this is a small study that did not include a comparison with young women who had not had eyelash extensions. They say further research should include a larger group of people with and without eyelash extensions to look at how many mites are present and how the frequency of eyelash extensions compares with eye health and symptoms of mite infestation.
Professor Sorcha Ni Dhubhghaill, chair of the ESCRS Cornea Committee and head of department and corneal and cataract specialist at UZ Brussel, Belgium, 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 feces, 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."
She continued, "It is important to emphasize 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.” OM
1. Abstract ID: PP01.04, "Eyelash extensions and Demodex folliculorum: influence on eyelid microenvironment and ocular surface health," Tetiana Zhmud et al, Ocular Surface 1, 09.15 hrs BST, September 12, [https://pagv3.virtual-meeting.org/escrs/escrs2026/en-GB/pag/session/98100]