Is kohl dangerous for our eyes?
For many women, one utensil should not be missing from the daily make-up routine: the kohl pencil. Top, bottom and best still in the inner lid. This make-up technique should be reconsidered. Because Canadian researchers at the University of Waterloo have now found out that the use of kohl for the eyes can be irritating to harmful.
Please, kohl pencils should be dangerous?
For this latest study, women were asked to apply kohl on their eyes in a variety of ways. The whole thing was documented by video. The realization: If the kohl was applied to the inner eyelid or to the inner lash line, 15 to 30 per cent more particles would have deposited in the tear film in a very short time than when applied to the outer eye. The study leader Dr. Alison Ng comments, "Many of the components of a kohl, such as waxes, oils, silicones, or adhesives, are designed to hold onto the eye for as long as possible, despite blinking or sweating." And unfortunately also in the eye.
These particles can alter the tear film and thus lead to redness, irritation, difficulty in seeing and, in the long term, to infections - especially with sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
Does that mean that a dramatically darker look is a thing of the past? Luckily not ...
You should note this in the future:
- Tip the kohl before each use, so that no brittle parts get into the eye. So you always have a smooth tip that protects against infection.
- For a rotatable kajal, cut the tip with a scalpel or similar sharp object before each use.
- Better only make up the upper, outer edge of the eyelid with kohl. So much less particles get into the eye.
- Smokey eyes do not necessarily need a kohl order. Dark eyeshadow, an extra dose of mascara and a liquid eyeliner on the upper lash line do it too.
- Very important: always make-up before going to bed!
