7 Things You Need To Know Before Trying Colored Contacts
Celebs love colored contacts as a quick and easy way to seriously change up their look. But are they safe to try? And how do you get your hands on a pair? Read on to find out if they'll work for you.
1. Colored contacts are the same as regular ones, basically. There's nothing really different about colored contacts except they they have, well, color. "The colored lenses have an clear counter part with the same design," explains Dr. Justin Bazan of Park Slope Eye in Brooklyn, NY. If you regularly wear contacts and are used to them, you'll be totally fine handling colored lenses. They last the same amount of time as regular contacts, too.
2. They might be a little less comfortable. Colored contacts can be a bit thicker than regular ones so they might take some getting used to. Plus, thicker lenses can often be easier to put in and remove.
3. You can try colored contacts even if you have perfect vision. If you want to get Selena Gomez's blue-eyed look that she rocked at last year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, you can, even if you have 20/20 vision. "Color contacts are available in a wide range of powers," says Dr. Bazan. "They are commonly covering the range of +6 to -8, including zero power." But the only real way to know your vision, and to make sure your eyes are in good shape, is to see an eye doctor.
4. You still need a prescription. Even if your colored contacts have zero power, you do still need to see a doc. That's because all contacts, clear or color, are serious medical devices that can potentially damage your eyes. Plus, it's the law! "Different brands of contacts perform differently and need to be checked by your eye doc to ensure they are the right ones for you," adds Dr. Bazan. "Once your eye doctor gives the contacts the okay, you will get a prescription for them and can place an order." That means, you shouldn't order colored contacts from just any online retailer, like a Halloween store or website that doesn't require you to have a prescription. It's not risking the chance of damaging your peepers to save money.
5. Just like regular contacts, you should NEVER share them with friends. It might seem like colored contact lenses are just like makeup, especially if they're zero power and you're just using them to switch up your look, but you shouldn't share them with anyone. Swapping eye germs can lead to a nasty eye infection. Plus, your friend's contacts might not be the right ones for you, adds Dr. Bazan.
6. Anyone that can wear contacts, can wear colored contacts. Some people want contacts they only throw out every two weeks, and others want to wear their's for just one day. Some have totally "regular" eyes and others have an imperfection in the eye's curvature, called astigmatism. Luckily, there are colored contacts for pretty much everyone, though some types, such as those for astigmatism, might be more expensive.
7. There are a bunch of different brands to choose from. You and your eye doc will work together to find the brand that works for you. There are a bunch of options to try and different colors, designs, and tints to choose from. Your doc will give you a trial pair to make sure you love wearing them before they're yours for good.
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