WHAT ARE LASH EXTENSIONS?
Lash extensions are semi-permanent lash extensions that are applied strand by strand with specially formulated non-irritating lash adhesive to your own lashes to enhance your eye shape.
Traditional false eyelashes, which you remove after each use, are applied directly to the skin and have pre-designed depth and layers that don't take your unique eye shape into account. Extensions, on the other hand, attach to the lashes themselves, so they grow out naturally and can be customized to create specific depth and elongation to your eye shape for the exact effect you crave.
DO LASH EXTENSIONS DAMAGE YOUR NATURAL LASHES?
Simply put: no, extensions alone will not cause damage to your natural lashes. Lashes can be damaged as a result of improper extension application or by the lash artist not selecting the correct type of extension based on the conditions of the natural lash.
If your artist uses too much adhesive (glue) causing other lashes to stick together, or applies an extension that’s too long or too heavy, it can strain the natural hair and cause traction on the follicle.
Applying lashes that are too heavy or too long for the natural lash will ultimately end in premature shedding. Eventually, the traction can stunt your lash growth or, in some cases, permanently damage the follicle so the hair no longer grows.
If your lashes feel heavy on your lids, they’re probably straining the follicles.
Rubbing your eyes will also result in immediate breakage.
It is also super important to maintain proper lash aftercare.
More information on lash aftercare can be found here.
DO LASH EXTENSIONS HURT?
I get this question asked quite frequently, especially during consultations.
I’ve compiled a list of 10 possible reasons why your lash extensions are hurting. Keep in mind that factors unrelated to the lash extensions like contagious diseases or preexisting conditions may also cause discomfort after you get a lash extensions.
Poor adhesion: If the lash extension isn’t attached properly to individual natural lashes, it can cause discomfort and even permanent harm to your eyes and eyelashes.
Additionally, it can even rip out your natural lashes when they grow. In this situation, you won’t be able to comb through your false lashes comfortably too.Clumping: When your lash artist applies a single extension to multiple natural lashes, it can lead to clumping of natural lashes which leads to pain and discomfort when opening and closing your eyes.
It’s typically referred to as a botched job in the industry.Choice of extensions: Another main reason that adds eyelash pain is if the lash artist picks the wrong type of extensions for your eyes.
Lash extensions must match the length, thickness, and shape of your eye so that it feels comfortable. If the professional who worked on you ends up selecting thick lashes, they will feel heavy just as they might poke into your eyelids if they’re too long or curly.For this very reason, I will never compromise your natural lash health and will only choose a length and thickness of lash extensions that are right for your natural lashes.
Ever heard the saying “GO BOLD OR GO HOME”? If you insist on going BOLD and want to compromise the integrity of your natural lashes, then I am not the artist for you and it’s time to GO HOME.
Oh, the sass! But I mean well and only want the best for your natural lashes.Excess adhesive (glue): If the lash artist applies too much lash adhesive (glue), chemical burn (as well as multiple lashes sticking together) may be the culprit. This can lead to excessive fumes from the adhesive that can end up irritating the sclera (white part) of your eyes.
If irritation doesn’t happen during the session, it can pop up a day or two after the appointment with inflammation and redness.
This could be the reason why your eyes pain every time you wash them with water too. Because lash extensions are waterproof, there shouldn’t be any discomfort anyway.Allergic reaction: Eyelash extensions are affixed to your natural lashes using a medical-grade adhesive using an ingredient called ‘cyanoacrylate’.
It can be allergic to some people with sensitive eyes and if you have this problem, it could end up as inflammation, redness, itching, and contact dermatitis after the lash extension session.
If you are experiencing an allergic reaction immediately after you lash extension application, see your doctor right away.Improper cleaning: Oftentimes, pain around the lash line could be a direct cause of your poor cleaning routine.
If you wear mascara and eye makeup on top of lash extensions (mascara should never be worn) regularly and fail to clean them properly at the end of the day, bacteria can accumulate around your hair follicles and lead to diseases that cause pain around your eyelashes (i.e. Blepharitis).More information on lash aftercare can be found here.
Forceful lash extension removal: Because lash artists use a medical-grade adhesive (glue) that’s equivalent to the superglue, removing the lash extensions on your own by pulling or rubbing can cause immense pain and irritation.
In case there is a problem (not allergy related, or you’re just wanting your lash extensions removed, please see you lash artist.
Your lash artist is able to remove them professionally using a remover specifically designed for eyelash extensions.Corneal abrasion: If your eyelash extensions end up scratching the cornea, corneal abrasion may occur. This is usually attributed to excessive adhesive (glue) and poking extensions that scratch the cornea upon shedding because they are too long or applied improperly.
Sparse application: If lash extensions are applied too far off from the lash line, they can often get twisted, droopy and turned, leading to pain and discomforts around the eye.
Glued to the skin instead of lashes: When eyelash extensions are glued to the skin, it will eventually pull out natural lashes and hurt your eyes within days or weeks after the treatment.
HOW LONG DO LASH EXTENSIONS LAST?
To maintain the full-lashed effect in the long term, refills are recommended every 2 to 3 weeks.
Lash extensions last through a full growth cycle of natural eyelashes, typically six to eight weeks. Since each lash extension is attached to a single eyelash, they will fall out naturally along with the natural growth cycle of each lash.
Because each person’s lash growth is somewhat variable, extensions require refills every two to three weeks. In other words, regular refills are required, no matter how well you take care of them. I recommend lash maintenance every two to three weeks to maintain a full look (depending on your natural lash cycle).
HOW LONG IS THE APPOINTMENT?
Applying a full set of lashes takes about two hours to 3 hours, and can be maintained year-round with fills recommended every 2 to 3 weeks. Fills are anywhere from an 1 hour to 1.5 hours long.
DO YOU DO FILLS OVER OTHER LASH ARTISTS’S WORK?
Yes. Foreign Fills start at 150+ and are for new clients with another lash artist's work.
No two lash artist's are the same. We use different products, varying placement techniques and have different experience and knowledge.
For this reason, careful and thorough evaluation of your current lashes will be done. Removal is required for lashes that are placed incorrectly. This may also require a new set. Full sets are $225
By booking this appointment you are consenting to have a Full Set done if it is need.*
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN PREFORMING FOREIGN FILLS?
There are numerous experienced and talented eyelash specialists around who are able to create gorgeous clean sets of lashes, there are just as many who take no pride in their work whatsoever. This results in clients ending up with less than satisfactory end results, which can be close to impossible to rectify.
Some of the most common problems I have come across include:
Many of the lashes being clumped together instead of being properly isolated
Too much lash adhesive has been used during application
The client’s natural eyelashes have been damaged during installation, leaving them looking extremely sparse
Synthetic lashes that have been used are too thick, coarse or long
Extensions have been badly styled with one of the most common problems being that the same length extensions have been used throughout the set
Clients were under the impression that individual synthetic lashes had been installed, but upon closer inspection found them to be cluster lashes
When clients with existing sets of synthetic lashes from elsewhere book with me for a basic 60 minute fill, I’m unable to determine what their lashes look like until they arrive. In cases where their eyelashes look like any of the scenarios mentioned above, it is close to impossible to perform a fill and do the necessary repair work or install a full new set in that short a time-frame. This is why i have created a specific ‘foreign fill’ appointment.
I do end up booking a full set of eyelash extensions for them in some cases, and in other extreme cases may have to end up turning clients away due to the poor health of their natural lashes.
If you have been unfortunate enough to have had a bad quality set of eyelash extensions installed elsewhere, I will be more than happy to perform a complete replacement for you by appointment.
Feel free to email me with any additional questions you may have: info@lashingoutlounge.com