Do Eyelash Extensions Cause Damage To The Natural Lashes?
If your lash extensions have been done properly, then no damage will be caused at all. Back when eyelash extensions were gaining traction in the early 2000s, they were much thicker and there was far less being done in the way of isolation - think party lashes as opposed to single eyelash extensions.
Since then, the eyelash industry has changed and developed a lot! Of course we’re still looking to accentuate our eyes with these treatments, but we’re taking a much more scientific approach!
How does the natural growth cycle of the hair play into the treatment? How can we ensure that what we’re doing is safe? Is there such a thing as classic lashes that are too thick?
Are Eyelash Extensions Safe?
The short answer is YES. The biggest risks with eyelash extensions (at least these days) are allergic reactions, but those are quite rare and - believe it or not - happen more for those clients who have been getting their lashes done for years, rather than newer clients.
The only time eyelash extensions won’t be safe is if the lash tech you visit is using too much glue or not isolating the natural lashes before placing them (which are things that lead to stickies) or if they’re using extensions which are too thick or long, which will weigh down your natural lashes.
Make sure you shop around and find a lash tech who has great reviews, and is certified in eyelash extensions before you book your appointment - remember that cheaper does not always = better!
Do Eyelash Extensions Hurt?
Nope! Again, when they’re applied correctly you shouldn’t experience any pain or discomfort. If you’ve never had extensions before and you go straight for volume you may just notice them sometimes if you look upwards - this is super normal, and you’ll stop noticing them entirely after an hour or so!
The only other time you’ll be aware of them (other than during cleaning) is in strong winds.
If you do feel any pain or discomfort, such as a pinching sensation in your lash line, it will most likely mean that you have a stickie or two. Try not to rub them, and let your lash tech know - the likelihood is that they will be able to separate them very quickly and easily for you!
Now, if you wake up the day after a lash appointment and your eyelids are red or swollen (this can happen in both eyes or just on one) it means you have had an allergic reaction to the lash glue, and you should contact your technician to talk about having them removed.
Can You Get Eyelash Extensions Wet?
Yes, and you should! Going back again to when lash extensions were a new concept, it was SO common to hear ‘you can’t get them wet!’.
Like we touched upon above though, if you don't clean your lashes regularly (use an oil-free foam cleanser and lukewarm or cool water for best results) you'll get a build up of sebum around the roots, which will result in an infection called blepharitis, which is bad enough by itself, but left unchecked it invites little mites into your lashes which feed on that sebum and even on the lash roots. This is super avoidable, so just make sure you're cleaning your lashes every day!
Keeping your lashes clean with the right cleanser also extends the duration of your lash set, because you’re reducing the amount of oil that will build up around the bases of the lashes. While eyelash extensions glue is oil-resistant - ie. it isn’t broken down by glue - oil can get between the extension and the natural lash and cause the extensions to slide right off! While this is unlikely to happen after just one use of an oil-based cleanser (or with an absence of cleaning), prolonged use of or exposure to oils will result in poor retention.
While eyelash extensions may not seem particularly new, we have to consider that it is a young enough practice that the opinions and advice that surrounded it when it first came to prominence will prevail, at least for a while longer.
The more the industry grows and the more developed our collective knowledge becomes, the more we can do to dispel these myths, and ensure our eyes and our lashes are always happy and healthy, and not to mention beautiful!