In medieval times, polite society encouraged women to pluck their eyelashes. The peculiar practice began after the church declared that eyelashes were simply too erotic.
Those days are happily long gone.
Indeed, the world has since formed quite an infatuation for long, full eyelashes. Women today go through some lengths to darken, extend, and curl their eyelashes.
Booming Market
The booming market for eyelash extension and curling procedures, lengthening mascaras, and eyelash growth serums should suffice as proof. Sales of false eyelashes in the US have increased by some 31 percent since 2017.
More recently, magnetic eyelashes have come into fashion. Magnetic eyelashes adhere to your lash line with miniature magnets instead of glue.
Experts attribute the popularity of magnetic eyelashes to the fact that they’re reusable, less messy, and affordable.
Two radiologists have, however, warned that anyone wearing these trendy cosmetic enhancements should stay clear of MRI machines.
Eye Sore?
Dr. Einat Slonimsky and Dr. Alexander Mamourian issued the warning following the results of their research experiments into the subject.
The two suggest that magnetic eyelashes degrade MRI images. More alarming, they claim the magnetic force produced by MRI machines could rip the lashes from eyelids.
The American Journal of Roentgenology has published a paper written by Slonimskyand Mamourian.
“We strongly recommend inserting a line about magnetic eyelashes on the MRI safety questionnaire and adding stops in the screening system to prevent the entry of anyone with these lashes, including staff, into the MRI scanner room,” the two write.
No One Hurt — Yet
The radiologists add, nonetheless, that there is — as of yet — no evidence that magnetic lashes have hurt anyone during an MRI scan.
Slonimsky and Mamourian in fact candidly note the fast-growing popularity of magnetic eyelashes in their paper.
“Although our staff had little to no awareness of the existence of magnetic eyelashes, the Wall Street Journal reported that instruction on their use and application was the top trending beauty-related search on Google in 2018,” the radiologists write.
Do you use magnetic eyelashes to enhance your looks? Are they worth the investment and the potential risks described by the two radiologists?
