Are lash extensions bad for my eyes?

Not inherently — unwashed extensions are. Daily lash-safe cleansing keeps the follicles and glands out of trouble.

Why do I get styes every few months?

Recurring styes usually mean chronically blocked glands or lid-margin bacteria — a pattern we treat at the source, not one emergency at a time.

What remover is safest?

Gentle and complete beats harsh and fast: oil-based removers work, followed by a lid-safe cleanse so residue doesn’t sit on the gland openings overnight.

Is it bad to put eyeliner on your waterline?

It can be, especially if you already have dry eye. The waterline, the inner rim of the lid behind the lashes, sits on the openings of the oil glands that feed your tear film. Studies have found that liner applied inside the lash line contaminates the tear film more, and causes more discomfort, than liner applied to the skin outside it. Makeup that migrates into the tears is thought to make the film less stable and dry eye symptoms worse. Keeping liner outside the lash roots lets the glands keep flowing.

How often should you replace mascara and eyeliner?

Every few months for mascara and liquid liner. Manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara two to four months after you buy it. Eye cosmetics are usually safe when new, but misuse can let bacteria or fungi grow in them. Toss mascara that has dried up, since adding water or saliva can bring in bacteria, and never share or swap. If you get an eye infection, stop using eye makeup until it heals and throw out what you were using; a stye or red, itchy lids also means makeup rests until the lid calms down.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Bijan Cohenmehr, OD Last reviewed October 24, 2026

Makeup, Lashes & Dry Eye

Keep the look. Lose the burn.

The oil glands open along a one-millimeter strip at the lash line — exactly where liner is tightlined, glue is set and glitter migrates. None of it is forbidden; all of it is technique. The difference between glam and gland trouble is placement and removal.

Book appointmentOr call 310-828-2010 Accepted insurance

A makeup table, brushes down, mirror lit

The real estate: Gland openings at the lash line
The risks: Blocked glands, Demodex, styes
The rules: Placement, expiry, removal
Extensions: Clean like they’re medical devices

The rules

Five habits that spare the glands.

01
Liner outside the waterline
Tightlining sits product directly on gland openings; keeping liner outside the lash roots keeps oil flowing.
02
Everything comes off, nightly
Sleep in mascara and the lid margin pays, so gentle, thorough removal is non-negotiable.
03
Retire old product
Mascara and liquid liner are microbe hotels after a few months; replace them on a schedule, and never share.
04
Extensions need hygiene, not fear
Lash extensions are compatible with healthy lids only when cleaned daily with a lash-safe cleanser; “don’t wet them” advice breeds Demodex.
05
Flares pause the routine
A stye, red rims or morning itch means cosmetics rest while the lid heals, then return with better technique.

Itchy lids every morning under extensions is the classic Demodex overgrowth story — our eye doctors in Los Angeles clear it in office, then rebuild the routine.

When the look fights back

Lid-margin trouble we treat weekly.

Book a lid evaluation

Common questions

Makeup & lashes, answered.

Anything else, call the office at 310-828-2010.

Not inherently — unwashed extensions are. Daily lash-safe cleansing keeps the follicles and glands out of trouble.
Recurring styes usually mean chronically blocked glands or lid-margin bacteria — a pattern we treat at the source, not one emergency at a time.
Gentle and complete beats harsh and fast: oil-based removers work, followed by a lid-safe cleanse so residue doesn’t sit on the gland openings overnight.
It can be, especially if you already have dry eye. The waterline, the inner rim of the lid behind the lashes, sits on the openings of the oil glands that feed your tear film. Studies have found that liner applied inside the lash line contaminates the tear film more, and causes more discomfort, than liner applied to the skin outside it. Makeup that migrates into the tears is thought to make the film less stable and dry eye symptoms worse. Keeping liner outside the lash roots lets the glands keep flowing.
Every few months for mascara and liquid liner. Manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara two to four months after you buy it. Eye cosmetics are usually safe when new, but misuse can let bacteria or fungi grow in them. Toss mascara that has dried up, since adding water or saliva can bring in bacteria, and never share or swap. If you get an eye infection, stop using eye makeup until it heals and throw out what you were using; a stye or red, itchy lids also means makeup rests until the lid calms down.

Makeup & lashes near you

12222 Wilshire Blvd, on the Santa Monica border.

West Los Angeles Brentwood Santa Monica Westwood Beverly Hills Culver City Pacific Palisades West Hollywood Marina del Rey Newport Beach

Also consider

Next step

Lids that itch under the look?

A five-minute lash-line exam names the problem; the fix usually keeps the makeup and loses the misery.

Book a lid evaluation Or call 310-828-2010