Instagram model warns of dangers of shared make up brushes
An Australian model who picked up an eye infection after working at a runway show has this week offered up a warning to those in the industry by writing an open letter sharing her story.
Anthea Page featured at Sydney Fashion Weekend last month and was unfortunate enough to contract a strain of Staphylococcus aureus, which she attributes to being caused by her makeup artist using brushes that were not properly cleaned.
In a lengthy post on Instagram, Page said:
“I have just been on a fashion show job for the past 4 days and unfortunately, even though I had observed unhygienic practices and confronted the qualified artists (who I will not name) I still ended up taking home a nasty eye infection from fashion weekend”
Page, who was treated with a course of antibiotics, continues with “My message is not intended to critique the women who I trusted with my eye and skin health but to raise awareness of importance of hygiene practices amongst artists. If you are getting your makeup done or using any testers, check everything has been cleaned to your standard even if someone scoffs at your concerns.”
The infection was most likely caused through cross-contamination of brushes and other makeup equipment being shared and used between models during the show.
While we all have bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, on our skin and in our mouths and noses it can cause an infection if we’re exposed to other people’s bacteria that we have not developed a resistance to, particularly if there’s an open sore or irritation already present.
To help with proper use of eye cosmetics the FDA has the following tips:
- Immediately stop using products that cause irritation
- Wash your hands before applying eye cosmetics
- Make sure that any cosmetic tool you place near the eye is clean
- Don’t share your cosmetics. Another person’s bacteria in your cosmetic can be harmful to you
- Avoid using eye cosmetics if you have an eye infection or the skin around the eye is red.
October 16th to 23rd is International Infection Prevention Week.
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