June 2017 Seven Tips for Safer Lens Wear with Cosmetics

What we use on our faces likely ends up either on the contact lenses before insertion or in our eyes. This includes facial moisturizers eye makeup remover, makeup primers, and most importantly mascara. McMillin eyecare recommends these 7 tips to help our patients avoid contact lens wear complications.

1. Wash hands. Wash your hands prior to applying contact lenses. This prevents any type of contamination or possible infections during application.

2. Apply contact lenses prior to any facial product. Apply any type of face moisturizers or products after handling your contact lenses. Their hands might not necessarily be dirty, but that product is now on the contact lenses. Oils and other chemicals present in facial cosmetics can affect contact lens comfort and vision.

3. Eye makeup should be hypoallergenic or ECP approved. Make sure all products that you use have been tested with contact lenses and are deemed safe.

4. Makeup removers. Remove contact lenses prior to using an eye makeup remover.

5. Mascara replacement. Mascara is applied directly to the top and lower lashes with the same brush used daily from the same tube. It is recommended that a single tube of mascara be replaced every three months. Replace mascara immediately if you have any type of eye infection.This three-month rule should also apply to any cosmetic applicators used on lids and brows. It is best to discard original cosmetic applicators and replace with applicators/brushes that can be cleaned with mild soap and water.

6. Daily replacement contact lenses vs. two-week/monthly. Daily disposable contact lenses are the healthiest choice, but if you are wearing a two-week or monthly replacement put your contact lenses in your hands and rub for at least 20 seconds. This will remove any makeup or debris that has built up. This even applies to solutions that are “no rub” because this step may ensure a cleaner lens, which leads to more comfortable contact lens wear.

7. Case replacement. Do not store your contact lens products in your make-up bag. It is best to have a separate bag for contact lens supplies. Cosmetic bags are usually covered in bacteria from the makeup brushes, containers, and bottles. In general, contact lens cases should be replaced every three months or cleaned well with warm sudsy water, rinsing well.