Are lash lifts safe? This is a question that many people have when considering this popular cosmetic treatment. The truth is, when done by a trained and experienced eyelash professional, an eyelash lift is a perfectly safe beauty treatment. Eyelash artists have mastered the art of applying glue and lotions safely, so their clients shouldn't take any risks. These professionals train for months and gain the kind of knowledge and experience that can only be gained with experience.
They must receive proper accreditation and also have the appropriate insurance. Trained and experienced eyelash artists understand eye anatomy and chemicals, as well as what precautions to take before, during and after the procedure to ensure safety for both you and your eyelashes. You may have heard horror stories about “disastrous eyelash lifts” or had a friend's bad experience, which can make you too afraid to try the procedure yourself. The potential damage to your eyelashes is enough to make you wary of having an eyelash lift done by a beginner, but the real reason you should only do this procedure with an expert is to reduce the chance of a bad eye or skin reaction.
A professional eyelash lift, also known as LVL or eyelash lamination, lifts the lashes very close to the base, making the eyelashes look longer and curlier, and the eyes appear more open. In addition, eyelash professionals have experience in judging how long each product should be left on the eyelashes to get the desired result without leaving the product on too long; this may vary depending on the person's eyelashes. Think of an eyelash lift as a perm for your eyelashes – after treatment, you'll have fuller, longer-looking lashes that mimic the effect of an eyelash curler. One week before your appointment, stop using topical retinoids, chemical exfoliants, spot treatments, aggressive cleansers and facial scrubs around the eye area, as these formulas can make your skin more sensitive to the keratin formula. It's also important to keep your eyelashes completely dry, skip eye makeup, and not sleep on your stomach for the first 24 hours after treatment, since the perm takes a full day to set in.
You can speed up the repair process by applying nourishing oils such as coconut or castor oils to your eyelashes every day. Asako (left) and Naoko (right) are certified eyelash stylists and the owners of Divine Lashes, a site for eyelash lovers to meet and learn more about eyelash extensions and lifts. Homemade eyelash lift kits don't even recommend one, and if they do, they're often omitted, which can cause dangerous allergic reactions. An inexperienced technician could apply a solution to lift eyelashes on the skin, causing redness, itching and burning. Many people report that with regular application, castor oil has helped them to have thicker and longer eyelashes. Unlike with eyelash extensions where you should stay away from mascara, you don't need to store any of your makeup products with an eyelash lift (although you probably won't need a curling iron during treatment).
There are now innovative products on the market for eyelash tightening such as flawless keratin dye which combines several stages of the eyelash tightening process as well as eyelash tint in an ingenious time-saving product. In conclusion, when done by a trained professional who understands eye anatomy and chemicals as well as what precautions to take before during and after treatment an eyelash lift is perfectly safe. It's important to follow all pre-treatment instructions such as avoiding certain products around the eye area one week before your appointment as well as keeping your lashes dry for 24 hours after treatment.
