The Truth About Eyelash Extensions: Do They Damage Natural Lashes?
Eyelash extensions have taken the beauty world by storm, offering a semi-permanent solution for those seeking fuller, longer, and more dramatic lashes. But with their rise in popularity comes a wave of concerns, the most common being: "Will eyelash extensions damage my natural lashes?" Let's dive deep and debunk the myths surrounding this question.
Understanding the Application Process
Eyelash extensions involve attaching individual or thin volume fans of synthetic lashes to your natural lashes using a specialized adhesive. The process, when done correctly by a certified and experienced lash technician, ensures that each extension is applied to a single natural lash. This method prevents the extensions from weighing down or causing stress to your natural lashes.
Factors That Can Lead to Damage
Incorrect Application: If multiple extensions are glued to a single natural lash or if the extensions are too heavy, it can cause strain, leading to breakage, premature shedding, or in some cases it can cause irreversible damage to the natural lash line.
Rubbing or Pulling: Vigorously rubbing your eyes or pulling on the extensions can cause your natural lashes to weaken or break.
Improper Aftercare: Failure to wash your lashes daily with an approved eyelash shampoo can cause buildup of pollen, makeup, and oils on the lash line which can lead to blepharitis. Not only can this buildup weigh down the extensions, it can also clog the eyelash follicle and cause premature shedding and damage to the natural lashes.
Infrequent Refills: Waiting too long between refills can lead to tangled extensions, putting stress on your natural lashes.
How to Ensure the Health of Your Natural Lashes
Follow Aftercare Instructions: Wash your lashes at least once a day with an approved lash wash, avoid saunas and steam, no picking, pulling, or rubbing the lashes, and absolutely no mascara on the extensions.
Schedule Regular Refills: Visit your lash technician every 2-3 weeks for refills to maintain the health and appearance of your extensions.
Choose a Reputable Lash Technician: Ensure your lash artist is certified and experienced. They should conduct a thorough consultation, recommending the right type and length of extensions suitable for your natural lashes. You should always read the reviews on the technician you go to and look through pictures of their work on their social media page or website. The most important piece of advice from this blog post is to make sure that your lash technician is attaching only one eyelash extension (single classic lash or one volume fan) to each natural lash. The best way to do this is to examine the extensions as they fall out. If multiple extensions are glued together, or if several natural lashes are attached to a single extension, it might be time to consider a new lash technician with a more precise application technique. Ideally, you should observe one natural lash at the base of each extension. This indicates that the extension adhered to the natural lash throughout its growth cycle and shed naturally.
In this first image, you can see multiple extensions and natural lashes glued together. Since each individual lash grows at its own rate, when several are bonded together, the slower-growing lashes can be prematurely pulled out, leading to damage to the follicle.
The image below is a perfect example of how one volume fan is being placed on one natural lash. This will allow the natural lashes to grow out and shed in a healthy manner, with no damage caused from application.
In Conclusion
When applied correctly and cared for properly, eyelash extensions should not damage your natural lashes. It's essential to do your research, choose a reputable lash artist, and follow aftercare instructions to ensure the longevity of your extensions and the health of your natural lashes. Remember, eyelash extensions are an investment in your beauty routine, and like all investments, they require research, proper care, and attention.
P.S. Eye Love You