You don’t want to sacrifice your health just for the sake of beauty. That’s why researching the safety of the beauty procedures you’re interested in is so important. So are eyelash extensions safe? As it turns out, the answer is complicated.
In this post, we’ll answer that question, cover the risks, and give you some tips to stay safe while enjoying even fuller, shinier lashes.
The safety of eyelash extensions
All things in life come with risks, and that includes eyelash extensions. Is it safe to drive? No, but that’s why it needs testing and permission! The same logic can apply to understanding if eyelash extensions are safe.
It’s not hard to come across case studies and horror stories of terrible eyelash extension results. However, many of these risks are the result of either pre-existing sensitivities or choosing a provider that cuts corners on safety and hygiene. How safe eyelash extensions are depends a lot on the real professional!
That being said, before you decide to go ahead with extensions, consider everything advantages and disadvantages of eyelash extensions beyond security.
The risks of getting eyelash extensions
It’s important to understand the risks associated with eyelash extensions and how likely they are before you decide to go ahead and make an appointment.
Skin irritation
Skin irritation (aka irritant contact dermatitis) usually occurs from the eyelash adhesive coming into contact with your skin or from the fumes it emits as it cures. It usually looks like redness or mild swelling and may feel like a slight itch or sting.
When done by an experienced lash technician, irritation is less likely. If it does happen, it usually goes away after a few hours. In some cases, it does not go away, so it is important to remove the eyelashes and even visit a doctor or ophthalmologist.
Eye irritation
Eye irritation may be slightly more severe. A little redness of the eyes during and immediately after the application of the eyelashes is normal and tends to disappear quickly.
However, persistent eye irritation is a real risk. It can result either from the migration of the eyelash glue or from the extensions falling out and irritating the eyes. If any of these materials actually come into contact with the eye, irritation may actually be a sign of injury to the lining. In such a case, you should seek the help of a medical professional.
Dry Eyes
Dry eye is a small but common risk of eyelash extensions. In some cases, long extensions can disrupt the way you blink. This can prevent it meibomian glands on your eyelids from the secretion of the oil that protects the surface of the eyes.
This problem is more likely to occur if you are already prone to dry eyes. The risk is also higher if the extensions are too heavy for your eyes or if you don’t clean your eyelash extensions often enough.
Allergy
Allergic reactions to eyelash extensions they differ little from the irritation during the mill. Most allergies are to glue. They occur when the chemicals in the adhesive trigger the body’s immune response and can affect both the eyelids and the eyes themselves.
Sometimes, an allergy can appear only a few days after the application of eyelash extensions. In other cases, the body can even develop an allergy after months and months of using extensions.
If you experience an allergic reaction, it is important to treat it immediately by having your lashes professionally removed. Consult a doctor or pharmacist if symptoms persist despite removal.
Contamination
Infections, either in the eye or in the lash line, are by far the biggest risk to eyelash extension safety. It can occur as a result of an untreated allergic reaction or persistent irritation, but it can also occur due to lax aftercare or poor application hygiene.
Infections are quite rare, but can lead to very severe swelling, long-term damage, and even blindness.
Loss of eyelashes
There is a hypothesis that eyelash extension can lead to traction alopecia or eyelash loss due to pressure on the follicle.
In most cases, however, we do not believe this Eyelash extensions will damage your lashes. Proper application techniques focus on limiting the weight placed on each natural lash. Inexperienced lash technicians are much more likely to make mistakes that can lead to lash loss, such as applying too much glue, placing a single extension on multiple lashes, or applying extensions that are too heavy or bulky for your body to handle lash line.
Guideline for avoiding risks
While the risks associated with eyelash extensions can seem quite daunting, most of them can be avoided with research and care.
Choose your eyelash technician carefully
Choosing an excellent lash technician will go a long way in preventing the worst safety risks of eyelash extensions, such as infection or eye irritation. So what should you look for?
- Check the reviews – Positive reviews are a great indicator of a lash technician’s skill. Look specifically for reviews that mention things like hygiene practices, the general environment in the salon, tips and materials available. Photos can also help, as you’ll be able to see how clients take care of themselves after having their lashes done. It will also help you to make sure that you are in the aesthetic of the technician.
- Ask about accreditation – Most lash technicians who work in a salon will be accredited, while those who work independently will need to be more carefully vetted. If you are unsure, ask about the type of training your technician has had when booking your appointment.
- Consultation – be sure to choose a salon or technician that offers some level of consultation. You may need to make an appointment for a consultation, while in other cases, a conversation over the phone or at the salon may be enough. However, coming into the salon is your best bet, as you can ask to try the patch of glue your technician will use.
- Clean living room – if you can, see photos of the salon itself or visit before your appointment. A clean environment is often associated with better hygiene standards during the appointment as well.
Ask about the glue
Your lash technician should be open to sharing with you information about the lash adhesive they use. In truly exceptional salons, there will even be a few different glue options to account for allergies as well as different climates. If you have an allergy that you already know about, let your technician know and ask her to confirm if this ingredient is in the eyelash glue.
Request a Patch Test
If your skin is generally sensitive or you are quite prone to allergic reactions, ask for a patch. You can simply ask the consultant to place a drop of glue behind your ear, or they can place some extensions on the outer corner of your eye. It’s best to wait a few hours to see what happens, so you’ll want to do this during a consultation or when booking your appointment, rather than right before your appointment.
Practice excellent aftercare
Aftercare is another key aspect to keeping your lashes in great shape. Your lash technician will give you a whole list of things to do take care of your eyelash extensionssuch as cleaning your eyelash extensions daily and brushing them to detangle them.
Cleaning is especially important. Demodex mites and bacteria can be more easily trapped near the eyes when there are eyelash extensions in place, which can lead to eye infections or styes. Clean your lashes thoroughly every day and your eyes will be happier, not to mention your lashes will last longer.
I take breaks
Some professionals recommend taking the occasional break from eyelash extensions, while others say it’s not necessary at all. If you think you may be experiencing eyelash loss or your eyelashes are growing thinner, consider taking a break for a few months. This will give your eyelashes time to return to their normal growth cycle.
When should you avoid eyelash extensions altogether?
With many eye conditions, it may be best to avoid eyelash extensions altogether, or at least talk to your doctor before making your appointment. These are some of those conditions:
- Allergies to common glues or formaldehyde
- Chronic dry eye
- Prone to eye strains and infections
- Rosacea, eczema or other inflammatory conditions affecting the eye area
- Alopecia areata
If you have not been diagnosed with a specific condition but have sensitive eyes, eyelash extensions may not be safe for you and you should consider avoiding them.
Alternative solutions for eyelash extensions
If all the risks of eyelash extensions sound a little scary or you think you might not be a candidate in the first place, you have some other options to consider.
DIY extensions
DIY extensions put all the control in your hands and solve some of the potential issues with professional extensions. DIY extensions come in groups that you apply to your lashes underneath.
DIY Extension Glue is an eye-safe glue designed to last up to 5 or 10 days, depending on the formula. It cures almost instantly without emitting any fumes, so it has less risk of irritating the eyes or causing allergies. That said, we would recommend patch testing it if you’re prone to allergies or have sensitive skin.
Removing them if you have problems is easy to do yourself with a strong makeup remover or a specialist DIY extension removal.
DIY extensions have a few other advantages over professional extensions. To begin with, they are much more affordable. They’re also more convenient – no need to make an appointment or worry about refills.
Fake eyelashes
If you just want long lashes for a day, false eyelashes are another great option. Their main advantage is that, since they are only worn for short periods of time, they are less likely to cause an allergy after repeated exposure.
However, wearing them every day can be very bad, as unlike professional and DIY extensions, they sit on the skin and not on the lashes themselves.
Another note: false eyelash glue is very likely to contain latex, which is not commonly used in extension glue. If you are allergic to latex, be sure to choose your adhesive carefully.
Final thoughts
Bottom line, are eyelash extensions safe? We believe it largely depends on the lash technician you choose, the condition of your eyes and your diligence in aftercare. As long as you’re aware of potential harm and follow our suggestions for avoiding risks, we think you’ll be just fine!