Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic technique that provides detailed pictures of organs and soft tissues inside the body using a powerful magnetic field and radio waves. Wearing cosmetics during this procedure is generally advised against due to risks involving patient safety and the quality of the resulting images.
Why Cosmetics Interact with MRI
The interaction between makeup and the MRI scanner stems from specific pigments used for color. Many formulations contain ferromagnetic compounds, materials that become strongly magnetized when exposed to a magnetic field. The most common is iron oxide, a colorant used in a wide variety of products.
Iron oxide creates black, brown, and red hues frequently seen in makeup products. The powerful static magnetic field generated by the MRI machine interacts with these minute metal particles, causing them to move or align with the field.
Specific Cosmetic Products to Avoid
Certain cosmetic products pose a greater risk because they contain higher concentrations of iron oxide pigments. Mascara and liquid eyeliner rely heavily on black and brown iron oxides for deep color and definition. These products are applied close to the eyes, a common area for MRI scans.
Patients must remove several types of products before a scan:
- Metallic eyeshadows, lipsticks, and lip glosses, which use metal-based ingredients for shimmering effects.
- Permanent cosmetics, such as tattooed eyeliner or microbladed eyebrows, which contain iron-based pigments.
- Tinted moisturizers or foundations that use iron oxides for color correction.
- Sunscreens containing zinc or titanium, which are metal oxides that can cause minor interference.
Risks to Patient and Image Quality
The interaction of cosmetic pigments with the magnetic field creates two main areas of concern: patient harm and diagnostic interference.
The most serious patient risk is thermal burns, which can occur when the metallic particles heat up rapidly inside the scanner. The radiofrequency (RF) energy transmitted by the MRI machine is absorbed by the metal particles, converting that energy into heat at the site of application.
This localized heating can cause tingling, a burning sensation, or even first- or second-degree burns on the skin, particularly in sensitive areas like the lips or around the eyes. The second major concern is the degradation of diagnostic image quality, known as artifacting. The presence of ferromagnetic materials distorts the powerful magnetic field necessary for clear image acquisition.
This field distortion appears on the scan as dark spots, streaks, or signal voids, which can obscure anatomical structures. If the scan is focused on the head or neck, artifacts from eye makeup could render the images nondiagnostic, potentially mimicking a disease or obscuring an actual medical issue.