A young TikToker’s recent video about her experience with fake eyelashes has sparked a social media conversation about the importance of natural beauty. In the video, Swulce, who goes by the username @swulce, recounts how she accidentally glued her fake eyelashes to her eyelid, which resulted in a painful and bloody injury.
Swulce’s video has been viewed over 5 million times, and the hashtag “#LetUsStayNaturallyBeautifulLadies” has been used over 100 times. Many women have commented on Swulce’s video, sharing their own stories of negative experiences with fake eyelashes, with many others condemning her.
Swulce, in sharing her bitter experience, said, “Seriously, think twice before putting on fake lashes. I almost lost my eyes.”
This confession led many ladies to share their own experiences with fake lashes.
“I’ve had fake eyelashes glue my eyelid shut,” one woman commented. “It was so painful, and I had to go to the doctor to get them removed.” Says TikTok user Yvana Mayer.
“I can never try this rubbish of lashes. Some women do it to seduce men who, in the end, cheat on them with women who are natural,” said Nathalie Grace.
“I don’t need fake eyelashes to be beautiful,” one woman wrote. “I’m happy with my natural lashes.”
“I’m so glad I saw Swulce’s video,” another woman commented. “It made me realize that I don’t need to wear fake eyelashes to feel beautiful.”
A lot of men condemned the act of putting on fake lashes.
“Every woman who wears lashes for me is someone with an inferiority complex. I cannot date such a woman,” Thomas Fontue said.
“I have already warned my wife about these fake lashes stuff. The day she puts it, I will take her back to her parents’ house,” Nji Franck commented while responding to Swulce’s video.
Health risks of fake eyelashes
Rebecca J. Taylor, MD, a Nashville ophthalmologist and clinical spokeswoman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, (AAO) points out that the risks associated with fake lashes relate to the manner in which they are applied and the person doing the application.
“To keep the eyes safe, lashes should be applied by an experienced aesthetician in a sanitary setting with chemicals that are safe for your skin,” she is reported to have said.
The health implications of fake eyelashes can vary depending on the type of lashes, the glue used, and how they are applied and removed. Some of the potential risks include:
Allergic reactions: The glue used to attach fake eyelashes can sometimes cause allergic reactions, which can range from mild irritation to severe swelling and difficulty breathing.
Eye infections: Bacteria can easily grow under fake eyelashes, especially if they are not cleaned properly. This can lead to eye infections such as styes, conjunctivitis, and keratitis.
Damage to natural eyelashes: Fake eyelashes can put a lot of stress on natural eyelashes, which can lead to them breaking or falling out. In some cases, the glue can even damage the hair follicles, which can make it difficult for natural eyelashes to grow back.
Eye injuries: If fake eyelashes are not applied or removed properly, they can scratch the cornea, which is the clear covering at the front of the eye. This can cause pain, blurred vision, and even permanent damage.
St. Edmund’s Eye Hospital presents some of the advantages of fake eyelashes but goes on to caution that “while false lashes make life easy, they can cause a variety of problems. Especially when not applied, worn, or removed properly.”
does not recommend the use of fake eyelashes, but they do not specifically warn against them either. The AAO states that “there is no scientific evidence to suggest that fake eyelashes are harmful to the eyes.” However, they also state that “there is some risk of eye injury if fake eyelashes are not applied or removed properly.”
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the safety of fake eyelashes. However, they do regulate the safety of the glue used to attach them. The FDA requires that eyelash glue be labeled with a warning that it can cause eye irritation.
