Why do my eyelashes hurt?

It’s hard to describe the feeling of catching your reflection in a shop window and see some absolutely gorgeous lashes looking back at you. Wait, no it’s not – IT'S AMAZING. But, if nailing the killer look is starting to cause you pain, then something is going wrong.  

Here at Silly George we believe that the journey to longer lashes should bring you nothing but joy. So, we’ve gathered the best information so that you can understand the things that can cause discomfort and the easy ways to avoid them.  

Read on to find out more! 

What’s making my lashes hurt?  

Lots of different things can give you lash pain, like using eyelash curlers, but the first thing to know is that the pain actually comes from the area around your lashes and not from the lashes themselves. You see, our lashes are filled mainly with protein and they don’t contain any nerve fibres, but the roots of our lashes and the surrounding skin have plenty. If something makes this area unhappy, then it can feel like the actual lash is hurting.  

Here, we break down the common causes of lash pain and how to handle them:  

Ingrown Lashes 

When a rogue lash decides to grow inwards rather than outwards, this is called an ingrowing eyelash. Ingrowing lashes can scratch your eye or your lash line, causing discomfort.  

Solution: An eye doctor will be able to remove an ingrowing lash with nothing more than a pair of tweezers. 

Eyelid Inflammation 

Inflammation can take place when bacteria build up on your eyelid or if the oil glands in the skin become blocked. When this happens, it causes redness, itching, dryness and sometimes even makes your eyes water. The medical term for this is “blepharitis.” 

Solution: It’s easy to keep troublesome bacteria away and the pores clear by washing your face daily with a gentle cleanser and removing your makeup before going to bed. If you think your eyelid has already become inflamed, don’t worry: regular cleaning will help it heal up in no time.  

Stye 

A stye is a small, painful lump on or inside the eyelid or around your eye. They’re fairly common and will clear up after one or two weeks. During this time, the skin around the stye might be swollen and red, and the stye itself might contain pus.  

Solution: Don’t try to pop or squeeze the stye as this can spread the infection. Instead, you can reduce the swelling and help the stye to heal by soaking a clean flannel in warm water and placing it over your eye for 5-10 minutes. Repeat this 3-4 times a day until the stye disappears. 

Eyelash Extensions 

The lash glue used to attach extensions to your lashes can sometimes irritate your skin, causing redness or inflammation. In addition, poor application process can clump some of your natural lashes together, making them feel like someone is constantly tugging on them. This can also happen if the extensions are too long or heavy, weighing down the lash and pulling on the root.  

Solution: It’s easy to remove extensions, but we recommend having this done at a salon rather than trying it yourself at home (or wear the best false eyelashes). Here’s why!  

Does mascara makes eyelashes hurt? 

Do not speak ill of mascara! We know, it might sound like a sacrilege, but mascara can sometimes cause discomfort if your skin is sensitive or allergic to some of the chemicals it contains.  

Solution: Look for mascaras that are marked as ‘sensitive’ or ‘hypoallergenic’ or for labels which tell you that they’re free of nasty chemicals. Your best bet? Try our Heart Eyes Mascara which we're proud to say is free of all those troublesome sulphates and parabens. 

Does lash growth serum make eyelashes hurt? 

Growth serums are a fantastic way to boost your natural lash growth. But, similar to mascara, some of the products on the market might not be gentle on your skin. Each person is different, but if you find your eyelids are starting to become irritated or red, then it’s best to stop using the product for a few weeks to determine whether it’s causing the problem.  

Solution: Nothing should come between you and longer lashes so, if you’ve had serum irritation in the past, there’s no need to abandon them altogether; it’s just a case of finding the right one for you.  

We take care to ensure that everything we make is suited to even the most sensitive skin, which is why our Lash Growth Serum is made with 100% vegan ingredients and comes with a no-toxin, no-sulphate and no-paraben guarantee. Most importantly, it’s dermatologically tested and approved, which means you get all the amazing benefits like faster growth and stronger lashes, without any of the worry. 

And that’s it! You’ve now got all the information you need to maintain those gorgeous lashes without any of the pain or hassle. Time to 🍾🍾🍾!