Is eyelash tinting safe?
Last week we talked about a woman who in the 1930's walked into a salon for some brow shaping
and an eyelash tint and walked out blind.
Surely, with today's cosmetic regulations that would never happen again, right?
Right?
If we look on Instagram I see this.
So eyelash tinting is definitely still happening and I know a friend who just got it done and
she sees fine.
So it's safe, right?
Well, let's see.
If you read the FDA website, it explicitly says this, "There are no color additives approved
for the permanent dying or tinting of eyelashes and brows."
This could mean that some of the additives can cause harm so they're not permitted and
this could also just mean that they haven't been tested yet to prove that they're safe.
So if eyelash tinting is illegal then how come I am able to do this?
Thank you for calling ___ Salon.
This is ____.
Hi.
I am looking to get an eyelash tint for next week.
Do you guys have a time available.
Perfect.
We'll see you at 9:30 on Wednesday for lash tint.
It's a plant based tint.
Okay, got it.
Sounds good.
I'll see you next Wednesday.
Okay.
Thank you.
All right.
Bye.
Here's where it gets stupid tricky because federal law says these dyes are illegal but
the state you live in could permit eyelash tinting or permit it with certain restrictions.
Here in California, it's illegal for any licensed professional to have eyebrow or lash tinting
in their possession or in a salon.
So what just happened here is illegal.
In other states, the dye could be permitted as long as it's not permanent or it has to
be included in a formulation that is specifically intended for the eyes.
Now I'm no legal scholar but in this case it looks like the state law takes priority
over the federal law unless the federal government wants to march on over and of something about
it.
So is the FDA just being a total buzzkill or are they actually trying to prevent you
from possibly looking like this?
Well, let's talk through eyelash tint and try to understand it a little bit better.
Eyelash tint can be found online, in stores or in beauty salons and they could contain
a number of different dyes that all carry different levels of risk.
An ingredient with high risk is something like paraphenylenediamine, also known as PPD.
That's what was used on the poor blind lady I talked about the beginning of this video.
PPD is known to cause severe allergic reactions in some people even though it's permitted
in hair dye it can still, on occasion, cause an allergic reaction.
This is why the FDA encourages you to do a small test on a patch of skin before you dye
your hair.
But really, how many times have you or your stylist actually done a patch test before
dying your hair?
Exactly.
The problem with PPD in eyelash tint is if you're unlucky enough to get an allergic reaction
it affects your eyes and you sort of need those.
Our skin is thinner around the eyes so the dye can get into the skin more easily and
if you do have a reaction you could end up with swelling, irritation or you can't see.
In some cases, it could even lead to permanent injury or death.
Even semi-permanent dyes can cause irritation or a reaction.
I often hear people talk about using safer eyelash tints made with vegetable dye but
if it produces a dark color and lasts more than day then it's not vegetable dye that's
dying your lashes.
And it's not just the dyes that you have to worry about.
Preservatives and other unapproved ingredients can pose a risk to your peep holes too.
Don't believe allergic reactions happen?
Check out this.
All people in the last few years that have bad reactions to dyes in their eye last tint.
This is why it is so important to be informed.
Know your cosmetic ingredients and ask questions because in the end the benefits and risks
of using these products are yours and yours alone.
The FDA doesn't approve cosmetics before they hit store shelves and although the cosmetic
industry works hard to provide safety some things occasionally slip through or laws vary.
Hey, in the E.U. eyebrow and eyelash tinting with PPD is permitted.
Those injured are few and far between but if it happens to you, you're gonna have a
bad week.
So should eyelash tinting be allowed in the U.S.?
Should it not?
Let me know about it in this poll and then hop on over to my next video to learn a little
more.