Eye cosmetics must meet the same requirements as other cosmetics regarding safety and sanitary manufacturing. If contamination is found, the sale of such product is discontinued until corrective action is taken by the manufacturer. However, part of the responsibility for safety from microbiological contamination belongs to the individual consumer. In the area of eye cosmetics, much depends on the way a product is handled after purchase.

Some companies are making safer products today and striving to make even safer products in the future.  More than 600 companies have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, a pledge to remove hazardous chemicals and replace them with safe alternatives within three years.  Click here for the most recent list of Compact signers. Arbonne, Avon, Mary Kay and Melaleuca are aware of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics but have refused to sign it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), permanent cosmetics and permanent makeup is safe when the technician is educated regarding Bloodborne Pathogen control and follows all OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines. The California Code of Regulations lists standards to establish and maintain sterile conditions and safe disposal of instruments.

The most common injury from cosmetics is from scratching the eye with a mascara wand. Eye infections can result if the scratches go untreated. These infections can lead to ulcers on the cornea (clear covering of the eye), loss of lashes, or even blindness. To play it safe, never try to apply mascara while riding in a car, bus, train, or plane. Sharing make-up can also lead to serious problems. Cosmetic brushes and sponges pick up bacteria from the skin.

Founding groups of the Campaign include: Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, Breast Cancer Fund, Commonweal, Environmental Working Group, Friends of the Earth, National Black Environmental Justice Network, National Environmental Trust and Womens Voices for the Earth. The Campaign also works with over 100 endorsing organizations and thousands of citizen activists. 

Spread the word about unsafe cosmetics to friends and family and encourage them to speak out. Write letters to cosmetics companies telling them about your concerns and asking them to remove unsafe ingredients from their products. "Vote with your dollars" by purchasing only the safest, most natural cosmetics available. Join the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Strict sanitation and sterilization guidelines are followed. A prescription of Zoviraz is essential for those with a history of cold sores when considering permanent lip color. Patch tests are available for those concerned. There are no known allergic reactions to the pigments, but few cases have been reported from red colors. There can be allergic reactions to the cains used in the topicals. In most cases discomfort is at a minimum.

Only a handful of people have reported minor problems around the eye area and no problems around the lip or brow area. Even in those rare cases when redness and edema occurred, it did not cause any permanent damage. Test studies have proven that the microscopic “iron” particles in pigment are too insignificant to react as true metal pieces but rather are more accurately compared with “metals” which already exist microscopically in our bodies.

No, we’re not. The chemicals present in any one cosmetic product are unlikely to cause harm. But none of us use just one product. Think about how many products you use in a single day—from toothpaste to soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, deodorant, body lotion, shaving products and makeup—and how many products you use in a year, and over a lifetime.

Click on the Safer Companies section of the Web site for a list of the companies that have signed the Compact. There you will find links to each company’s Web site where you can order their products or see where their products are sold.

Yes. The use of RF energy is one of today's most advanced surgical techniques. In addition to its use in NearVision CK, RF technology is being used in prostate cancer therapy, back surgery, even cardiovascular procedures.

YES The red laser in the Cobra Stunlight? is a " Class I " laser and meets CE certifications. However, user should avoid eye contact with the laser beam to avoid possible eye damage.

Laser eye surgery has been performed on more than a million people worldwide. Lasers used in the procedures are cold lasers, meaning that they cannot remove or damage tissue outside the treatment area. The Federal Drug Administration regulates all vision correction procedures and equipment. Dr. Mitchell uses FDA-approved devices and has performed over 5,000 LASIK surgeries.

With the advent of new refractive surgery technology, laser eye surgery has become infinitely more safe and effective. At Texan Eye Care in Austin, recovery from laser eye surgery is brief and the procedure is more comfortable than ever before. The laser eye surgery techniques used by our eye surgeons have also been refined over the years to minimize the risk of side effects. Laser eye surgery dates all the way back to the eighties.

Propylene glycol is an ingredient used in numerous cosmetics and toiletries. It is also used as a powerful solvent to prevent creams from drying out. Propylene glycol is a petrochemical derivative and has been shown to cause allergies.

Zinc oxide (zincite) is a naturally occurring mineral that provides a white colour base for our cosmetic products as well as providing superior sun protection with broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) absorption. It is a soft, heavy white mineral powder that creates a soothing, protective barrier for the skin, and it recognised by the TGA as a skin soothing and healing agent. It is eminently safe!

New products still must undergo rigorous safety testing--whether they are tested on animals or not. These days, a cosmetics manufacturer may rely on some combination of computer modeling, in vitro tests, and trials with human volunteers, instead of on animal tests. The bottom line, however, is that all ingredients used in making cosmetics either have been tested on animals at some point or are known to be safe based on decades of use.

We prefer that our companies sign the Safe Cosmetics Act, but not all are signers yet. I think we have >85-90% signers...and growing. Our purity criteria is more strict than the Compact for Safe Cosmetics requires, meaning that just because a company signs the compact - it does not mean that their products meet our criteria.

Fragrances and preservatives are the main ingredients in cosmetics. Fragrances are the most common cause of skin problems. More than 5,000 different kinds are used in products. Products marked “fragrance-free” or “without perfume” means that no fragrances have been added to make the product smell good. Preservatives in cosmetics are the second most common cause of skin problems.

These are good examples of corporations that use breast cancer to boost sales, yet manufacture products that may be contributing to rising rates of the disease. To promote their image among female consumers, several major cosmetics companies have launched cause-related marketing campaigns around breast cancer—but a number of their products contain parabens (chemical preservatives) and phthalates, chemicals that disrupt normal hormone function when absorbed into the body.

Yes, there are many products out there to provide excellent camouflage of vitiligo spots. Some people prefer traditional waterproof makeup, designed to match every skin tone, and which can be applied to the spots only. Though they are waterproof, they are not always friction proof, and some men will not wear them. These types of covers are available in every skin tone, from very fair to dark black.

While all surgery involves some risk, LASIK eye surgery is not an intraocular surgery, and therefore is less risky than more invasive procedures. The highly controlled LASIK process uses a computer-controlled light beam under the guidance of a trained and certified LASIK surgeon. Virtually all laser surgery patients experience significant improvement in their vision. A discussion with your eye doctor will help you to understand the risks and benefits of the procedure.

The donated eyes and the donor's medical history are evaluated by the eye bank in accordance with the Eye Bank Association of America's (EBAA) strict Medical Standards. EBAA provides standards for eye banks to use in training personnel to evaluate donor eyes.

Close to the eye orbit is fine, but caution should be used to prevent the product from entering the eyes. Do not use on the eyelids.

Yes. Tulsee Eye Drops are safe for all ages when used as directed, however, you must consult your Eye Care Practitioner or your Doctor.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics — of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients.

Sometimes it is easier to match the eyelids if both are operated. You must be examined before Dr. Schiller can answer this question for you.