Can Eyelash Extensions Ruin Your Natural Lashes?

One of the most common issues I've seen in my career is that clients can damage their own eyelashes by pulling and touching them. If you pull out the eyelash extensions, you're more likely to pull out your own natural lashes as well, which can make them look plumper and thinner than before you had extensions. It's essential to emphasize the importance of aftercare in keeping eyelashes healthy. Proper aftercare will not only keep your lashes healthy, but it will also extend the time between fillers and make your lashes look fuller for longer.

In extreme cases where eyelashes are not cleaned, microscopic mites can cause inflammation of the eyes and itching. Just like head hair, eyelashes can become oily and greasy if not washed, creating a perfect breeding ground for Demodex mites. When you get eyelash extensions, the cycle continues as usual. Since each extension is connected to a natural eyelash, extensions fall out in the same cycle as natural eyelashes.

If a customer asks: “Will my eyelashes grow back after eyelash extensions?” You can assure them that the eyelashes continue to grow even when the extensions are on. It's all part of the natural eyelash growth cycle. If you're an eyelash technician, be sure to ask each customer about any allergies or sensitivities they may have. If you're not sure, watch for signs of irritation during application, as this may indicate that it is better to switch to another type of adhesive.

If you're a customer, express your concerns right from the start. Tell your eyelash technician about any sensitivities you may have to certain eyelash adhesives. If you start to feel pain or discomfort during the eyelash application process, let your technician know right away. Having irritated eyes causes a lot of chafing and pulling that could damage natural eyelashes.

One thing I'd like to point out is that eyelash extensions don't have to be harmful. If done correctly, they can be the perfect way to take your look to the next level. That's why it's so discouraging to see people give up after an experience with poor eyelash technology or without doing research first. It's a myth that eyelash extensions ruin your eyelashes; they should be applied to natural eyelashes and fall off when they do.

Eyelashes have a natural growth cycle in which they grow to a certain length and then fall out once they have reached their maximum length. That's why we never have to trim our eyelashes to keep them long; nature does it for us. Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent eyelashes that adhere to the natural hair of the eyelashes and have become very popular among millennial beauty enthusiasts right now. They're a step above false eyelashes and have been known to last for many weeks. The growing popularity of permanent makeup, such as lip blush (a form of tattoo) and eyebrow microblading, has made eyelash extensions a highly sought after procedure. It is non-invasive, painless and significantly reduces makeup time.

But given their popularity, are their pros and cons balanced enough to make them a procedure worth following? Let's take a look at some quick facts: Eyelash extensions are eye-catching enough to use alone; they can give the eye a “wake up” effect and divert attention from dark circles and bags under the eyes. This is why many women get extensions to completely eliminate the step of cleaning eye makeup from their nightly skincare routine. Common counterfeits come under a standard brand and follow a “one size fits all” approach; however, eyelash extensions can be customized according to the length, volume, fullness you want or simply something that highlights and shows the shape of your eyes, making them better suited for your unique facial features. Unlike other permanent makeup procedures, eyelash extensions are expensive; starter kits can range from 8K to 15K depending on the type of extensions you choose and the technician's professional experience. In addition to that, you have to do retouching every two or three weeks since they stick to natural lashes and can come off quite easily; good quality replacements can cost up to $7000. While the procedure itself is quite safe, certain errors can damage natural eyelashes; for example, places that offer “cheaper” extensions are usually glued to a group of pre-glued lashes on the natural lash line which can totally destroy your natural lashes. No matter how reputable the salon is, applying eyelash extensions uses tools and adhesive agents that are very close to the eyes; any mishap can lead to infections such as conjunctivitis or even glue-induced skin rashes around the eye area. Even though eyelash extensions are designed to be lightweight, it can be quite inconvenient having them installed all the time - in bed, in the shower and everywhere else - especially for beginners in the eyelash game who don't have much experience with makeup or those with overly sensitive eyes or dry eyes who tend to get irritated more often than usual. If you're feeling anxious about investing in eyelash extensions, consider starting small; an eyelash conditioning serum, a tightening product or even a tint will add some depth to your lashes without additional costs or risks associated with getting proper extensions.

Make sure that the glue remover you use doesn't irritate your eyes; we suggest having some options ready. It's a myth that eyelash extensions can ruin your natural lashes; when done by a professional correctly, they're safe and don't affect the health of your natural lashes - just follow recommended care instructions with your extensions so as not to have any accidents with them. While you can use mascara with eyelash extensions, it's generally not necessary and is not recommended for use; using wrong type or too much mascara can cause lashes to fall out, damage extensions and significantly shorten their lifespan; also waterproof or oil-based masks can dissolve adhesive agents used for maintaining extensions. When it comes down to it, eyelash extensions don't have to be harmful if done correctly - they're safe and don't affect health of natural lashes if proper care instructions are followed - just make sure that glue remover used doesn't irritate eyes.

Kirsty Matthews
Kirsty Matthews

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