1. Before Applying Kajaal to Your Baby, Think Carefully
In many cultures, it’s customary to apply Kajaal around a baby’s eyes, forehead, or temples. This is both an aesthetic tradition and a symbol of warding off evil spirits and protecting against “evil eyes.”
However, modern medicine is increasingly concerned about the contents of these products and whether they might harm a baby’s developing eyes and body.
Kajal itself is not a necessity; it’s more of a cultural and aesthetic choice. Therefore, before using it on a baby, parents have a responsibility to ask themselves: is the cost too high for them?
2. How to Choose Kajaal Relatively “Safely”
If your family insists on following the tradition of using Kajaal, then at least raise your selection standards.
1. Choose Products with Gentler Ingredients
When selecting products, prioritize:
- Products labeled “natural,” “organic,” or “herbal,” provided they have a clear ingredient list.
- Commonly found, relatively gentle basic ingredients include: sweet almond oil, castor oil, camphor, and natural pigments derived from plants or minerals.
These ingredients are closer to the logic of skincare oils or medicated ointments and are relatively less irritating, but they still cannot be guaranteed to be “absolutely safe” for all babies.
2. High-Risk Ingredients to Avoid
What truly needs to be guarded against are substances that may appear in traditional formulas or some inexpensive products:
- Lead compounds (e.g., lead sulfide): Even extremely low doses can cause serious and lasting damage to an infant’s developing brain with prolonged exposure.
- Mercury, certain heavy metals, and their compounds.
- Parabens (preservatives), strong artificial colors, and complex synthetic fragrances can all trigger allergic or irritant reactions.
When purchasing, don’t just look at the “advertising wording,” but carefully read the complete ingredient list and choose reputable brands that clearly adhere to safety standards.
3. Risks That Cannot Be Ignored Even If the Formula Seems “Mild”
For babies, the skin and eye barrier functions are not yet fully mature. Even the most “natural” products can become a burden.
1. Eye Irritation and Discomfort
Babies’ eyes are extremely sensitive. Contact with Kagaol ingredients may cause:
- Redness, tearing, swelling, or squinting.
- Constant rubbing of eyes and scratching of the face, further increasing the chance of infection.
If you notice any significant discomfort after application, stop using the product immediately, gently clean the affected area, and seek medical attention if necessary. Don’t assume that the baby will get used to it after a few uses.
2. Skin Allergies and Contact Issues
Regardless of whether the ingredients are labeled “natural” or “herbal,” contact with the skin can potentially trigger an allergic reaction in some individuals:
- Localized redness, rashes, peeling, itching, or repeated scratching of the affected area by the baby.
- Over time, this may develop into persistent irritant dermatitis or allergic dermatitis, requiring medical intervention for relief.
It is a safer practice to test a small amount on a less sensitive area of the baby’s body before using any new product.
3. The Risk of Infection Often Lies in “Hygiene”
If Kagar is not properly manufactured or stored, it can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Repeated opening and closing, damp or unclean storage environments, and sharing with multiple people all increase the likelihood of bacterial contamination.
- Once applied around the eyes or even in direct contact with the eyeballs, bacteria can potentially cause conjunctivitis, eyelash root infections, and other problems.
For infants whose immune systems are still developing, this risk of infection from a “decorative” product is not worthwhile.
4. What Parents Care About, and What Babies Really Need
Many elders, out of love and tradition, hope to “protect” children with Kagar, or simply think “it looks better.” However, from a baby’s health perspective, what they need most is clean skin, clean eyes, and a stable and safe environment.
If family members have deep cultural attachment to Kagar, consider:
- Transferring this symbolic meaning to clothing, small accessories, or other methods that don’t directly contact the eyes and mucous membranes.
- If you must use it, apply a small amount only to areas of skin away from the eyes and easy to clean, and strictly control the product’s source and frequency of use.
True “protection” doesn’t lie in how dark the color is, but in how aware adults are of the risks. Preserving the warmth of tradition while protecting children from avoidable harm is a more mature choice from an adult perspective.
