I’m an eye surgeon – here’s all the ways your false eyelashes can harm your health

IT'S Christmas party season and the festive fun is just getting started.

But one doctor has issued some eye-watering health warnings that you might want to consider when getting ready for all those nights out out.

You probably don't think twice about adding a pair of false eyelashes to complete your look.

Or perhaps, you're more of a fan of a lash extension?

Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, cosmetic eye surgeon who practises on Harley Street, told Sun Health both can pose serious health risks.

Dr Elizabeth warned while extensions can cause your lashes to fall out, falsies can increase your risk of nasty infections.

"The trend for wearing false eyelashes has increased dramatically in recent years, whereby a lot of people think it’s OK to wear them every day,"; she said.

“I would definitely warn against this and suggest saving false eyelashes for special occasions, rather than everyday use.

"Prolonged wear can damage the eyes and cause infections."

Among the nasty infections that can strike is blepharitis, which causes swollen, itchy eyelids.

Dr Elizabeth said: “It starts with a build up of debris and bacteria around the base of the lashes.

"The eyelids are unique and in between our eye lashes, we have tiny glands called meibomian, which are the tiny oil glands which line the margin of the eyelids.

“Over time, these can get clogged up and lead to lash loss."

Extension risk

When it comes to lash extensions, the risk remains.