by Dr. Sanjay Dhawan
Kajal and Soorma are traditional Indian ingredients to make up those beautiful eyes. Originally “kajal” started out not as makeup but as a home remedy medicine. Zinc, copper sulphate and many medicinal herbs were important ingredients that had a definite effect on eye infections. In the old days, trachoma, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and other blind infections were very common in North India and this part of Asia. Medical aid and medicines were not readily available or out of reach of most. Kajal had relevance in that scenario and played the role of protecting the eyes, as propagated by our great-grandmothers.
The components of mascara were selected empirically or on rumors. The methods of making mascara were crude and there was no way to define the concentration of each ingredient and its actual effect on the eye. This situation remains till date. Today with the availability of good drugs in precise concentration and well-researched effects on the eyes and the disease for which they are, “mascara” loses its relevance and role. However, kajal is widely used by women as a beauty enhancer.
Mascara can have an adverse effect on the eyes. Some of them are listed below:
- Conjunctivitis – chemical, toxic and infectious
- Allergies
- Toxicity/Chemical Reaction
- meibomitis
- Stye and hordeolum – infection of the glands of the eyelids
- Corneal ulcers – which can potentially lead to blindness
- Uveitis – Certain chemicals in kajal can cause inflammation inside the eyes
- Glaucoma – some components can increase eye pressure leading to glaucoma
- Dry Eye – Regular use of kajal can lead to lesions of the tear/tear glands leading to dry eye syndrome
- conjunctival discoloration
It is advised to completely avoid the use of kajal/surma or any makeup that goes inside the eye. It is fine to use makeup that stays out like eye-liner, eye-shadow, mascara etc. but it should be carefully removed at the end of the day. Eye makeup should not be used during the period of any eye infection, injury, surgery etc. Eyes are precious and very beautiful even without makeup, we should take good care of them.
(Disclaimer: Dr. Sanjay Dhawan is the Senior Director and Head- Ophthalmology, Max Healthcare. The views expressed in the article are those of the author, Zee News does not endorse it.)