Magnetic Liner and Lashes - Are they safe?
Just like so many women, I'm obsessed with lashes. I've tried everything under the sun. Lash extensions. Lash boosting serums (I've tried two). False lashes. But, nothing could ever work for me.
So, I started seeing ads for the magnetic liner with lashes and I had to try it. But, first and most importantly - are they safe?
1. Is it safe to have magnets that close to the eye?
Yes. It's not a problem with the magnets adhering to the eyelid skin, as long as they don't accidentally penetrate into your eye. Magnets do not cause any kind of disruption in your eye movements or your vision.
2. Are the ingredients of the magnetic liner toxic to your eye?
This is what I was most worried about. I know from my training as an eye surgeon, that you certainly don't want iron inside your eye. Even a metallic foreign body on the surface can cause problems and it can definitely lead to serious issues if it penetrates inside your eye.
The magnetic eyeliner I used is comprised of iron oxides. Iron oxides are mineral deposits and can cause staining of the skin. However, it is in a variety of make up and skin care products (eye shadows and normal eyeliners) and is regulated by the FDA. The iron oxide in the magnetic liner is synthetic, so it doesn't have ferrous or ferric oxides.
Trace amounts of iron oxides are permitted by the FDA to be used as a color additive and allowed in the the eye area. Here's a chart I found on the FDA website:
3. Will this cause lash loss or madarosis?
This was my main problem with lash extensions. Eventually, over time, the weight of the lashes on your natural lash will cause them to fall out. If you're young or have very sturdy lashes, that's not a problem. But, for some, extensions can cause bald spots of their natural lashes. It did for me.
So, I'm careful now when I do any kind of lashes that the weight of the lashes rests on my eyelid and not on the lashes themselves. The lashes that come with magnetic liner adhere to the the eyeliner, which is on the eyelid skin. Therefore, it shouldn't cause lash loss unless you have an allergic reaction to the liner or lashes themselves.
4. Can the liner cause staining?
I'm hyperaware of hyperpigmentation. Many of the lash boost serums can cause skin darkening on the eyelid (upper and bottom). It's a known side effect of prostaglandin analogues or their derivatives (Latisse, Lash Boost).
In theory, iron oxides can also cause staining. The liner doesn't drip like the lash serums do, which makes it less likely to cause under eye darkening. However, I am extremely careful when I remove the liner to ensure all of it has been removed. So far, I haven't seen any skin darkening, but I suspect that this is a possibility.
Overall, I love the magnetic liner and lashes. They are much easier for me to apply than false lashes (for some reason, that lash glue always make it difficult!) and I didn't feel any of the itching that I usually do with lash glue.
I made a video of my experience with the liner and lashes. Hope you enjoy it! You can see me working out in them (not super successful!)