Introduction
For many years, the eyelash extension industry knew very little about how to instruct their clients to care for their newest obsession. We all know that once you have fresh eyelash extensions, there is no such thing as living without them, that is, without being plagued with the crippling withdrawal from the ease of having them (and looking carpet ready 24/7).
Fast forward, let’s say, 15 years or so since this new service has boomed. It’s 2023. We thankfully know SO much more about our eyelash extension products, the application process, hair growth patterns and how our health can change them- practically everything that matters. That being said, like any service newer to the beauty industry, there are still misconceptions leading to misinformation being spread to clients receiving these services- and we’re here to help.
“My Lash Artist Told Me Not To Get My Lashes Wet!”
This age old story that we are so sick of hearing is outdated information. Not only is it old news, it can be extremely harmful to the health of your natural lashes. Our eyes are incredibly sensitive anatomical structures from the inside out. Let’s zoom in on the upper lash line for now, though. Here we have on average let’s say 100 tiny little hairs growing at their own pace. At the base of each of these hair follicles we will find sebaceous structures just like any other hair that grows on our body. These little glands produce oils to keep our hairs and skin (eyelids in this case) hydrated and lubricated. The lubrication from these glands assists in the growth of new hair, and keeping the mature hairs moisturized. These oils also help create a natural barrier on the skin to help protect it from pollutants and contaminants.
Knowing this, we can begin to understand why keeping the area clean is so important to our eye health and additionally, the longevity of our eyelash extensions. Imagine that your facial skin at its baseline is oily. If left unattended, it can create congestion in your pores leading to breakouts, bacterial infections, and more. The same thing can happen to our eyes. Without lash extensions, perhaps you are allowing your facial cleanser or shampoo to rinse down your face giving those natural lashes a nice rinse. You then get out of the shower and pat or rub them dry, waking up the circulation and helping reset the glands, instructing them to go ahead and produce new oils and maintain good blood flow.
Especially once we are wearing lash extensions, we must be aware of this process and help our body to maintain its natural processes for the health of our eyes. To do this, we need to stimulate circulation at the lash line and remove oils regularly. Without doing this, it is a matter of when- not if- we find ourselves in a pickle with premature lash loss that can result in permanent damage, eye infections, other conditions such as blepharitis, and in some extreme cases, demodex. (Also known as lash mites for those of you with curious minds.)
squeaky clean
just the way we like it.
How Soon After Application Can I Wet My Lashes?
We’re gonna catch some shade for saying this but we’re here to tell the truth, so… You can wet them within 1-2 minutes of application.
Cyanoacrylate is the main ingredient of the most effective adhesives on the market to date. And guess what? It LOVES water. In fact, it actually NEEDS the presence of moisture to cure. You’re the cyanoacrylate and water is the ex you just can’t shake. You get the picture.
Once applied to a clean surface, fresh cyanoacrylate adhesive forms a shell exterior within 1-5 seconds, depending on the viscosity, color, and type of adhesive. We’ll have a blog all about this soon to go more into detail. Once that shell is formed, the presence of moisture takes that adhesive from “dry” to “cured”.
That being said, cleansing eyelash extensions directly after application can actually mitigate sensitivities, improve retention, soothe the skin in the eye area, and it just feels dreamy if we’re being honest. Lashes should be cleansed daily for optimal retention and health of the natural lashes.
Why Do Some Lash Artists Not Recommend Proper Aftercare?
In a nutshell, it comes down to the quality of training they have received and the confidence they have in their application skills. A properly prepped, isolated, and applied eyelash extension should not “pop off” the natural lash for any reason if aftercare is followed properly. When artists are newer to the industry or perhaps incorrectly taught, they will look for many reasons why their retention would be poor and start to blame it on those things. Examples of these things include avoiding oil, steam, hot water, wetting your lashes, brushing too much, etc.
The truth in the matter is that you can do pretty much everything after eyelash extensions that you did prior to having them. Swim, cry, dance in the rain, swim in the pool or ocean without goggles; just rinse them right after and be sure not to let those salty waters dry on them.
Cleansing your eyelash extensions daily boosts natural lash growth by increasing circulation and removing debris that could eventually clog the follicle entirely.
If you feel like you or someone you know would like further training, we would love to help!
What Should I Actually Avoid?
The answer is more straightforward than you might think. Avoid picking or pulling at your eyelash extensions. Try to also avoid sleeping directly on your face, or rubbing your eyes. Like mentioned before, avoid salt water drying on your eyelash extensions, as this can weaken and break down the bond of the adhesive over time. Essentially, the cleaner they are and the less you touch them, the longer they will last you.
Conclusion
Lash extensions are an investment and if you take proper care of them, they will prove to be worth every penny! Hug your lash artist the next time you see them because this is a true craft that can take many years to master, and it is hard work. The right lash artist for you will instruct and provide for you the proper aftercare and instructions.
If you’re in the Scottsdale area and are looking for a lash magician, we may know a few…
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