Brows | January 26, 2020
The sound of lash extensions may be terrifying to some people. Some may have common misconceptions about it whilst some may have heard horror stories such as women losing their eyelashes or even lashes obviously sticking out left, right, and center.
This is why it is important to carefully consider the reputation and recommendations of any salon or clinic. However, despite the terrifying stories you’d hear, if lash extensions are carried out correctly, the results are amazing. Instead of spending hours in the morning curling and applying generous coats of mascara to your eyelashes, you can simply spend an hour at the salon having a lash technician carry out their job. With lash extensions, you wouldn’t need heavy makeup; they open your eyes and they literally give you this feeling of greatness.
What are lash extensions?
Unlike the typical application of gluing a strip of short-term artificial lashes onto your lash line, lash extensions are described to be semi-permanent lashes that are applied by a professional that hand-glues the extensions over your natural lashes. Since lash extensions don’t come in a strip, they are conveniently customizable and look like genuine eyelashes. With appropriate care, they can last for six to eight weeks until they fall out naturally like your natural lashes.
Do eyelash extensions ruin your natural lashes?
Not much evidence exists on whether lash extensions impact your natural lash length or health in the long run. However, there is still a small risk of developing traction alopecia which is where your natural lashes can fall out from the constant weight of repeated eyelash extensions. Don’t worry though — it doesn’t mean it would immediately happen to you.
It has been observed that it would typically take years of unprofessional application and incorrect care for long-term lash damage to occur. Hence why it is highly advisable to only go to reputable salons and ensure your technician practices good hygiene. Good hygiene includes washing hands between clients, wears a mask, utilizes sanitary pillow covers, uses disposable brushes, and sterilizes their tweezers. Note that it is completely okay to ask your technician to confirm these things.
It would also be wise that whilst making your appointment, inquire about the ingredients being used in the lash adhesive. If they inform you that the glue contains formaldehyde (an eye irritant that can cause redness, irritation, and itchy, swollen eyelids), cancel the appointment. Although more expensive, it’s advisable to select a salon that uses glues containing butyl cyanoacrylate and octyl cyanoacrylate instead of the typical formaldehyde. These ingredients are less toxic to the eye area.
Why you should consider lash extensions
- Lash extensions can last weeks: If properly taken care of, these extensions can go longer than a few days.
- Advanced process of application: With the advancement in the process of application, lash extensions are now completely customizable. You have the choice to tell your lash aesthetic if you want full, super-long, natural, and so forth.
- Different lash extension textures: You can select faux-mink fiber lash which is typically flexible and light or ultra-silk lashes that are extremely soft to the touch but gives a more dramatic look than the faux-mink fiber.
- You never have to wear mascara again. Lashes can make your eyes pop and breathe life into a tired-looking expression. Some women even state that they’re more inclined in taking an all-natural approach with their makeup when they’ve got extensions on because of the confidence that comes along with long, full lashes.
Being prepared for lash extensions
There are a number of things to keep in mind before heading to your lash extension appointment. Here are some things to ensure you do before your appointment.
- It is required that you come to the appointment without makeup and moisturizer.
- If you usually wear contact lenses, avoid using them and wear glasses instead.
- Avoid using waterproof mascara 48 hours prior to your appointment. This is because it would leave an oily residue
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have had ‘Lash Lift’ in the past six weeks, inform your beautician.
Note that with every beauty treatment, there are risks involved. Risks such as being allergic to the tools and glue being used in applying lash extensions should be considered. Ensure that you discuss with our beauty professionals at BROWZ about patch-testing to avoid risks of allergic reactions.
Tips in keeping your lash extensions last longer
- Use oil-free cleansing products: Avoid the use of any oil-based products on the lashes. Oil has the potential to break down the bond of the glue and result in it dropping out prematurely. This includes oil cleansers, oil-based makeup remover, and facial oils. Instead, opt for other products in cleansing your lashes. Such products would help remove any debris or bacteria from your eye whilst still having your lashes protected and intact.
- Avoid applying mascara on them. Mascara is known to damage lashes.
- Try avoiding eyeliner: When you can, try avoiding eyeliner as it’s extremely challenging to remove it without rubbing the lashes which can cause them to fall out. If you are someone who can’t resist using eyeliner, then we strongly suggest that you remove it carefully with micellar water and a queue tip. Avoid applying it directly on the lash. Instead, start a millimeter above the line of the lash.
- Don’t wear much eye makeup: Avoiding excessive makeup allow eyelash extensions to last much longer.
- Avoid water and steam in the first 48 hours: Keep your lash extensions out of the shower, sink, pool, rain, or steam room for the first 48 hours to allow the complete drying of the glue. The glue would still be settling so if your lashes get exposed to water, they could fall out quite early. Showering is possible, but avoid placing your head under the water and ensure not to rub your eyes. Although the waiting time depends on the glue used, always check with your lash technician. After the waiting period, they can get wet and washed gently in avoiding the accumulation of bacteria. Ensure to take extra precaution when drying your eye area. Gently blot with a soft towel and avoid tugging.
- Sleep on your back: This might be challenging for those who typically sleep on their front; however, sleeping with your face pressed against the pillow should be completely avoided if you want your extensions to last. Pressure placed on your lashes can induce them to fall out, so sleeping on your back is highly advised. A tip could be to use a travel pillow in preventing you from turning onto your front in the middle of the night. As much as possible, avoid rubbing your eyes as well.
- Clean them on a day-to-day basis. A lot of women think that they should avoid getting them wet, but this is a huge myth. Just like anything on your body, they can get dirty and coated with makeup residue; thus, daily cleaning is necessary for keeping your follicles healthy and to prevent infection.
- Brush them morning and night: Ensure to brush your eyelashes morning and night in keeping them in the right place using a mascara wand.
- Use a spooley: Every morning, make it a habit to brush your lashes with a spooley. It is recommended to use a standard spooley rather than a rubber one because of how it separates the lashes in a more gentle manner. Be cautious not to brush too frequently since it could tug on the lashes and loosen the bond which soon leads to fallout.
Due to the careful and required expertise in the application of lash extensions, it is recommended that you consult with those experienced in the field. Contact our beauty professionals at BROWZ which offers a great number of beauty services such as lash lifts and lash extensions.