Endless hours at the computer, pollen-filled air or just a recurring habit? Whatever the reason, many of us rub our eyes a lot and experts say it's not a good idea.
«The skin under our eyes is the thinnest in our body,» says plastic surgery nurse Tara Adashev. «We should essentially think of it as what would happen if we aggressively rubbed rose petals.».
Dermatologist Dr. Nava Greenfield agrees: «No scrub is a good scrub, so if we're doing it more than twice a day, it's too much.».
Why our eyes itch
Various situations of health issues can lead us to rub our eyes, experts say. «Dry eyes can be a culprit,» says dermatologist Dr. Karin Grossman. «While rubbing will stimulate tear production, it's best to add a few lubricating eye drops during the day and skip the frequent rubbing or schedule a visit to your eye doctor for a good eye exam and possibly a prescription treatment.».
A person's allergies can sometimes also be blamed. «Allergies can also cause itchy eyes, which makes people rub them, which then causes more itching,» she says.
If the itching is driving us crazy, Greenfield suggests a medical tip. «Sometimes it takes a topical steroid to reduce the itching sensation, which prevents the need or urge to scratch,» she says. «Other times, antihistamines can be used to control itching.».
What rubbing the eyes can do to our skin
Dermatologists recommend keeping our hands away from our eyes because a habit like rubbing our eyes can seriously affect our appearance and health.
This habit can have consequences such as:
Red eyes
«Rubbing our eyes can be the ”culprit” because we have eyes that look tired,» says dermatologist Dr. Snehal Amin. «Bloodshot eyes can be the result of rubbing until the capillaries break down.».
Black circles
Chronic rubbing can also lead to dark circles under the eyes, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. And the darker our skin tone, the worse it can be.
«Especially for those with darker skin, rubbing the eyes has the effect of accelerating the production of skin pigment in the area,» says dermatologist Dr. Angelo Thrower.
Radishes
«When we rub our eyes repeatedly, we put our skin at risk of lichenification, which is a medical term for thickening of the skin,» says dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp. «It can make the lines in our skin more prominent, which accentuates the appearance of wrinkles. It can also make our skin look dry and flaky.».
Damage to the cornea
«Chronic rubbing not only damages the skin of the eyelid, but can also cause micro-scratches on the cornea,» says Amin. «Over time, this can lead to thinning and loss of corneal shape, which (in turn) can lead to blurred vision, a condition known as keratoconus (KC-Keratoconus). Eye rubbing is especially dangerous for people with underlying glaucoma, as it can cause spikes in intraocular pressure.».
Risk of contamination
«The eyes are a gateway to infection,» says Amin. «Germs from hands or air can enter the body through the mucous membrane of the eyes, a concern that has been highlighted during the pandemic.».
Let's listen to the experts
Let's take our dermatologist's advice on the correct application of skin and beauty products. «The effects on skin that is tapped, dabbed and rubbed are very different and affect how the product will be absorbed by the skin layers,» says Thrower. «It also makes a big difference whether the skin is dry or wet when a product is applied.».
There is also good news: Some of our eye-related habits may not be as bad as we thought. Dr. Tanouz Nakra, a plastic eye surgeon, dermatologist and co-founder of Avya Skincare, says: «Slight ”pulling” of the eyes to apply make-up or insert contact lenses is unlikely to cause bad results. And while wearing swimming goggles may cause temporary swelling and redness around the eyes, this is not a permanent condition.».
How to get rid of the habit
First, being more careful, that can make a difference. Dermatologist Dr Huntley King says: «Awareness can be the first step and understanding the potential effects can help us increase our motivation to kick the habit.».
«Habits such as eye rubbing, skin pinching and lip licking can be repelled by cognitive behavioural feedback techniques,» says dermatologist Dr Claire Wolinski. «Telling a person to stop is not so simple when it comes to consistent habits.».
«If we wear contact lenses and rub our eyes a lot, it might be good to consider wearing our glasses for a while, as they can act as a barrier and a reminder to avoid the skin around our eyes,» says Camp.
Dermatologist Dr. Lynn McKinley Grant suggests avoiding petrolatum when applying cleanser. «Just use your hands and massage the cleanser into your skin long enough to really cleanse. We also rinse with our hands.».
The good news is that there is always time to end this particular bad habit. «The effects of chronic eye rubbing may not be noticed right away,» says Greenfield. «But kicking the habit is important for the long-term health and appearance of our skin.».
