This episode of American Horror Story Beauty, I’m sorry to report that, on a microscopic level, some creepy, crawly characters are living on your face. Demodex, a type mite, is found near the hair follicles of most people (i.e. their eyebrows and eyelashes). It feeds off skin cells and hormones, as well as oils. The vast majority of the time, you won’t even notice they’re there—these tiny critters hang out on your skin symbiotically and happily. Sometimes, though, demodex mites get a little too comfortable and cause issues—especially if you have lash extensions and don’t always keep them as clean as you should.
Demodex mites can proliferate in the eye area and cause demodicosis. They may also lead to demodex blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid caused by the mites. Other skin problems such as itchiness or flaking are possible. These are common in people who have eyelash extensions because they can act as magnets to attract the mites.
Why do these little freaks punish us for glamour, and how does it look and feel when they’re causing trouble around your eyes? Here’s what to know about these face invaders if you’re noticing some weird skin symptoms after getting your lashes done.
Mites thrive when there’s a buildup of oil or makeup around your lashes.
The reason that demodex mites flourish on some people’s skin more so than others’ is quite simple: access to food. Fake eyelashes may attract mites because they can feed on them. This is due to the fact that people avoid washing their eyes when using extensions to extend their life.
Dendy Engelman, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, tells SELF that a signature early sign you have too many demodex mites is “dry and irritated eyes that can feel like burning, stinging, or itching.” If the problem goes unchecked from there, you might also have symptoms like “redness, dry or rough scaly patches, or crustiness around the eyes,” she says. The crud that forms there is a byproduct of cylindrical dandruff—a waxy, scaly substance that builds up at the follicle base around individual lashes—and collarettes, a.k.a., uh, mite poop. The more mites on your face, the more crusting you’re likely to experience.
How to maintain your eyelashes to prevent mite growth
When you get lash extensions, your technician usuThe following are some of the most effective ways to improve your own personal effectiveness.y asks you to more or less raise your right hand and repeat after them: “No harsh cleansers.” But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use cleansers at all—quite the opposite.
To keep mites in check, you need to use a variety of methods. You can also find out more about the following: Be selective. “Wash with a gentle, non-soap cleanser by running a Q-Tip along the lash line,” says Dr. Gohara. “Also cleanse between the eyebrows, where [Demodex mites] like to hide in the follicle.” (If you have an active infestation, she says you’ll need to repeat this twice a day, but otherwise, a daily cleanse is probably fine.)