There are medical remedies as well as natural remedies to get rid of swollen eyelids after eyelash extensions. Under medical remedies, you can opt for cold compress, anti-inflammatory medication, antihistamines, serratiopeptidase, antibiotics, etc. Under natural home remedies, you can go for baby shampoos, green tea bags, cucumber bags, neem oil, tea tree oil, etc. Learn how to get started with these remedies and know how soon you can get rid of swollen lids with the best course of action.
Medical Remedies for Lid Swelling
Cold compress
Cold compress serves the dual purpose of:
1) Reducing the inflammation by constricting the inflamed/dilated vessels
2) Reduces symptomatic relief by working as a numbing agent
How to apply a cold compress over swollen eyelids caused by eyelash extensions?
1) Prepare a cold compress bag by placing ice cubes inside a soft zip lock bag or freezing the readily available water pack.
2) Softly apply the cold compress over the lid regions while not overexerting pressure over the sensitive areas.
3) After applying the cold compress, wipe the area with a dry cloth.
4) Repeat the procedure every 3-4 hours or as per the physician’s advice.
Anti-inflammatory medications
Anti-inflammatory medications work by reducing the effect of the chemicals triggering the inflammatory reaction. Inflammation is a part of the immune system to prepare antibodies as a defense mechanism. Working on the white blood cells reduces the immune responses to decrease the inflammation further.
Anti-inflammatory medications for reducing lash extension-induced eyelid inflammation can be available in oral tablet form or topical cream forms. In extreme cases of lid inflammation, they are used in subcutaneous injections. The required form of the medication and its dose is strictly based on the final decision of the physician.
Anti-histamines
Anti-histamines are helpful in cases of allergy-induced conditions of swollen eyelids after using lash extensions. Allergies can result from the lash materials or the lash glue coming in contact with the ocular and facial surface. It triggers the release of neurochemicals called histamines that create inflammation as a part of the body’s defense mechanism.
The itching during an allergic reaction results from excitation of the body’s unmyelinated C-fibers. Scratching the itching areas further triggers the release of histamines with worsened symptomatic complaints.
Anti-histamines work by preventing the histamines from attaching themselves to the histamine receptors in the CNS. This constricts the blood vessels, reduces itching, and brings down the inflammatory reaction.
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Serratiopeptidase
Serratiopeptidase is a proteolytic enzyme produced by bacteria in the digestive tract of silkworms. It primarily works on reducing inflammation by inhibiting the release of bradykinin from inflamed tissues. It also works to inhibit COX, the primary promoters of pain and inflammation.
Serratiopeptidase is more advantageous than other steroidal anti-inflammatory medications because of its fewer side-effects and minor associated gastrointestinal issues.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are recommended in cases of lid swelling combined with bruising or laceration of the wound region. Applied either in the form of ointments or eye drops, they reduce the already present bacterial infection or help prevent it.
Eye ointments are used topically on the surface of the bruised lid portion. Eyedrops are applied inside the eyes in cases of corneal or conjunctival involvement associated with the extensions.
Medical remedies are strictly recommended to be undertaken on the advice of a dermatologist or medical practitioner familiar with your ocular history and systemic conditions.
Natural Remedies for Lid Swelling
Here are some home remedies that provide a natural alternative for dealing with lid swelling and associated symptoms:
Sleeping with head in an elevated position
Sleeping with your head in an elevated position enables better blood flow with its even distribution. This reduces the swelling and provides quick relief to the person. You can either sleep with two pillows propped against your head or use a recliner to reduce the lid swelling through changing body positions.
Baby shampoo
Baby shampoo is an effective way of getting rid of the extra debris and crusts formed due to blepharitis. Clearing them gets rid of the bacterial agents and reduces the accompanying swelling.
How to use baby shampoo for lid swelling?
Step 1
Apply baby shampoo on a sterile cotton bud, taking care not to use more than a drop of the solution. Being a baby product, it is mild, and accidentally going inside the eye will not cause a severe problem.
Step 2
Apply it softly in brush strokes against the lashes and the lid margin.
Step 3
Once the area is moist, gently remove the debris, crusts, and accompanying mucus in the region.
Step 4
Wash the area thoroughly and pat it clean. Discard the applicator after use. Use a fresh cleaning agent for each application.
Cucumber packs
Cucumber has anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and moisturizing properties that can work softly on the swollen lids and control the inflammation.
You can use cucumber in the following manner for alleviating swollen lids conditions induced by lash extensions:
– Cut them circularly and allow them to rest over your eyes.
– Grate them and use them inside ice bags for added comfort.
– use them with grated potatoes and use them as a poultice for lid application.
Green tea packs or bags
Green tea contains catechin, a disease-fighting antioxidant that can penetrate tissues and heal them. Apart from catechin, antioxidants like xanthanin and lutein or vitamin C are crucial in providing the boost for effective healing. You can either apply green tea extra in the form of packs or directly place chilled bags over the edematous regions.
The entire process does not take more than 5-10 minutes but provides long-lasting relief after completion.
Neem
Neem or Indian Lilac has excellent antibiotic properties that are helpful in extension-induced bacterial infections of the lid. Its cooling properties further reduce the burning and itching sensation and provide soothing feelings.
Neem can be applied directly in the form of packs. It can also be used as a poultice combined with turmeric for added antibacterial benefits. Apply it carefully only on the external lid portion and remove all application traces later on.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an effective scrubbing agent for removing allergens, mucus, excess oil, and crusts from the inflamed lid regions. Derived from the leaves of tea tree or ‘Melaleuca Alternifolia,’ it contains terpinen- 4-ol that is a good antibacterial and antifungal agent by nature. If available, the leaves of the tea tree can be directly crushed and applied to the lids for combating swelling. If not, the oil can be used on its own or in combination with coconut oil for best results.
It is essential to understand that these remedies, with all their benefits, work best after removing the lid extensions. While some of the systemic therapies in oral tablets can be used with the eyelash extensions on, for other treatment measures to work, it is mandatory to have the extensions removed before working on swollen lid portions.
How long does it take for eyelid swelling to go down?
Eyelid swelling after taking adequate treatments and precautions reduces significantly in 24 hours. The residual swelling, tenderness, and associated symptoms gradually wear off in a week or two.
Factors affecting healing time for eyelid swelling
The time taken for the swelling to completely resolve is a variable factor and depends on:
Intensity of swelling
Lids with greater swelling intensity take more time to resolve than those with minor swelling.
Degree of symptoms
Lids without bruising resolve faster than lids with bruising and other symptoms.
Removal of the extensions
In people taking time to get their extensions removed, the swelling takes a long time to resolve.
Preventive measures taken
Users taking adequate treatments and care of their extensions see faster results than others.
