These days you can beautify nearly any part of your body. Want a more bountiful, Brazilian-type booty? Go for implants, or even opt for inserts worn under your clothes. Want thicker eyebrows? Get permanent makeup applied over your sparse hairs. Want long, lush lashes? Stick on some falsies. Beauty comes with a price, though, and even the more low-key upgrades can be risky. A new study found that the adhesive used to apply eyelash extensions can cause adverse skin reactions.

Consumer Reports has highlighted reports of people suffering allergic reactions and infections after applying fake eyelashes with formaldehyde-based glue. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reported that risks include infections and irritation of the cornea and eyelid, eyelid swelling and permanent or short-term loss of eyelashes. If that happens, you should immediately seek medical attention. To avoid irritated eyes altogether, and still achieve that long-lashed flirty look, don’t D-I-Y — go to a certified, reputable aesthetician trained to apply eyelashes. Be sure he or she is using proper hygiene, and ask what ingredients are used beforehand. Extensions last for a couple of months.

If you’re wary about gluing falsies onto your eyelids, there are a few tips and tricks to enhance your lashes naturally and keep them healthy. Their purpose is protecting eyes from foreign objects, so it’s prudent to pamper them.

Lavish your lashes with an over-the-counter conditioner to stop breakage, or just slather on petroleum jelly at night. The roots are very delicate, so never tug at them and take every precaution to baby those tender hairs. Be very gentle when using an eyelash curler, and comb through when the mascara is still wet. Don’t sleep with mascara on, which can make lashes brittle. Baby those lashes and they’ll be good to you.