Throughout the day, the eyes are exposed to various external factors such as dust, pollen, makeup residues, and light emitted from digital screens. This situation can lead to irritation, burning, redness, and infections by allowing dirt and microorganisms to accumulate on the eye surface. Regular and properly performed eye cleaning helps protect eye health and prevent such discomforts.
What is the Importance of Daily Eye Cleaning?
The eyes are among the most sensitive organs of the body. While the eyelids and eyelashes serve to protect the eye surface, accumulated dirt, makeup residues, or oil residues in these areas can eventually lead to inflammation. Particularly conditions such as blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid) may occur more frequently in eyes that are not cleaned regularly.
Basic Hygiene Rules
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Wash Your Hands: The first step before touching your eyes is to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Hands are the primary means of transferring germs to the eyes.
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Be Gentle: The skin around the eyes is the thinnest and most sensitive in the body. Avoid harsh rubbing motions. Opt for gentle wiping movements without applying pressure.
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Use Sterile Material: Always use sterile gauze, disposable eye cleaning pads, or cotton for cleaning.
How to Perform Eye Cleaning?
Eye cleaning is not only a cosmetic routine but also a fundamental health practice that prevents infections, eyelid inflammation, and dry eyes. The following steps can guide daily cleaning:
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Be sure to wash your hands. Ensure your hands are clean before touching the area around your eyes.
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Use a sterile cotton or gauze. Choose a separate piece for each eye to prevent any potential infection from spreading to the other eye.
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Use physiological serum or sterile eye wash solution. Tap water can cause irritation due to the microorganisms it contains.
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Gently wipe from the outside inward. Clean any discharge or crust without applying pressure.
Using the wrong product or applying too much pressure can cause microscopic scratches on the eye surface and corneal irritation. Therefore, gentle movements should be employed at each step.
How to Clean the Eye Area and Eyelids?
The eyelids and lash roots, where the Meibomian glands are located, are the parts where oil, dirt, and makeup residues accumulate the most.
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Applying a Warm Compress:
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Dampen a clean cloth with warm water.
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Place the cloth over the lids with the eyes closed and leave it for 5-10 minutes.
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A warm compress can soften the hardened secretions in the clogged oil glands in the lash roots.
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Applying Massage:
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After the compress, you can gently massage your closed eyelids.
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Apply gentle pressure with your finger from top to bottom on the upper lid, and from bottom to top on the lower lid, to help the glands empty.
- Cleaning:
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You can use special eye shampoos, foams, or sterile cleaning wipes recommended by your doctor.
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Gently apply the cleaning material to the edges of the eyelids and lash roots.
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The direction of movement should always be from the inner corner (nose side) to the outer corner. Move dirt and bacteria outwards, not into the eye.
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Make sure to use different and clean material for each eye.
How to Remove Eye Makeup?
Makeup residue is a factor that clogs the lash roots and increases the risk of infection.
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Oil-Free Cleaners: People who wear lenses and have a sensitive eye area should prefer oil-free, alcohol-free, and fragrance-free eye makeup removers.
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Removing Dirt: Ensure that all mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow residues are cleaned. It's not sufficient to simply wipe with a cotton pad; the cleanser needs to actively penetrate into the lash roots.
How to Clean the Inside of the Eye?
Under normal circumstances, the inside of the eye cleans itself. Tears can provide natural cleaning by removing foreign particles from the eye surface. However, there are steps to take if dust, eyelashes, or tiny foreign objects enter the eye:
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Do not rub your eye; this can scratch the surface of the eye.
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You can gently rinse the eye with clean water or physiological serum.
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If irritation, redness, or blurred vision persists, consult a specialist physician.
What to Do When a Foreign Object Gets in the Eye?
When dust, sand, or a foreign object enters the eye:
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Do Not Rub: Rubbing the eye can cause the object to embed more deeply into the cornea and cause scratches on the surface.
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Rinse with Plenty of Water: You can rinse the eye with clean, lukewarm water or preferably sterile physiological serum. Gently hold your eyelid open to ensure the water reaches the entire surface of the eye.
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Chemical Exposure: If a chemical splashes into the eye, rinse immediately and continuously with plenty of water for at least 15-20 minutes and seek medical attention promptly.
What Should Be Considered in Eye Area Care?
The skin around the eyes is one of the most sensitive parts of the body. Therefore, the ingredients of the products used during cleaning should be considered.
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Do not sleep without removing your makeup. Use water-resistant, alcohol-free, and gentle cleansers suitable for sensitive eye areas.
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When going outside, use quality, UV-blocking, wide and large-framed sunglasses to protect both the skin around the eyes from UV damage and prevent fine line formation caused by squinting.
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Chronic insomnia is the biggest trigger for dark circles and under-eye bags. Try to establish a good sleep routine.
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Smoking accelerates collagen breakdown and significantly increases skin aging. Alcohol causes dehydration, increasing sensitivity and tired appearance in the eye area.
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Dehydration can cause the skin around the eyes to dry out and increase the appearance of lines. High salt intake can lead to water retention in the body and consequently in the eye area; balance your salt intake.
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For individuals with allergies, cosmetic products can cause redness, itching, and swelling in the eye area. In such cases, discontinue use and opt for dermatologically tested products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should contact lens wearers consider when cleaning their eyes?
Hands must be washed before and after putting on lenses. Eye cleaning should not be performed while lenses are worn; cleaning should be done after lenses are removed. Additionally, lens solutions should be regularly renewed.
How should eye cleaning be performed in children?
The eye area in babies and children should be gently cleaned using sterile cotton or gauze with only water or physiological serum. If there is redness, discharge, and watering in the eye, it should be evaluated by a children's eye specialist.
Can eye cleaning prevent infections?
Yes, correct and regular eye cleaning can significantly reduce the risk of developing infections such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and styes. However, if an infection is present, not only cleaning but also treatment under medical supervision is necessary.
Which ingredients are effective for dark circles and puffiness around the eyes?
Dark circles around the eyes can often be due to circulation issues or pigmentation. In such cases, products containing caffeine and vitamin C may be beneficial. For puffiness, cold compresses and reducing salt intake are also recommended.
