We’re in the thick of it: Canadian summer that is. And if Canadian summers are known for one thing, it’s their extreme humidity. Humidity can decrease the effectiveness of the adhesive used in the lash extension application process.
What we CAN’T control is how humid our Canadian summers are. However, we CAN control just about everything else in the environment to mitigate the effects of humidity.
Humidity: More Impactful than you Think
Humidity is moisture, or water vapour, in the air. It impacts lash application because cyanoacrylate (the ingredient that makes the adhesive stick) starts to cure with the presence of moisture. Remember, drying is not the same as curing! So, if there is too much humidity in the air, the cyanoacrylate will over-activate and cure faster than intended. This might sound okay, but consider the impact of the adhesive drying and curing faster than intended:
· Inability to “correct” lashes
· Dispensed glue drying quickly, resulting in waste
· Curing before application, causing a weak bond, if it sticks at all
· In extremely humid conditions, the over-activated cyanoacrylate will stop working entirely
Do you want to learn more about lash application?
Avoiding Humidity-Related Issues
The ideal humidity level in the room where you lash is between 45% - 60%. If you’re having humidity-related issues or live in a high-humidity area, invest in a hygrometer. It’s like a thermometer but instead of giving you the temperature, it will tell you the humidity level in the room. If you’re above 60% humidity, you need to act. Try one, or a combination, of the strategies below:
Use a Dehumidifier: Dehumidifiers pull warm, moist air in using a fan that sucks excess moisture from the air and restores the room to an ideal relative humidity. You can purchase a variety of sizes and styles of these units.
Crank the A/C: Air conditioners pull moisture from the air and don’t need to be set super-cold to do it, either. If you don’t have A/C, consider a window unit for your lash room. You’ve seen that steady stream of water falling from a window unit? That’s the moisture being taken from the air.
Try a Fan: When the air is stagnant, it holds moisture. A fan will get the air moving and release some of that moisture.
Be Breath Aware: When you exhale, your breath contains moisture. Same with your client. Now I think we both know you can’t stop breathing! But, to reduce moisture, be sure to have a fan going and ventilate the room between clients.
Move your Plants: Attention Plant Mamas! You might be surprised to know that having a lot of plants indoors contributes to more moisture in the air. It might be a good opportunity for the babies to head outside to get their photosynthesis on when it’s lash time.
Dry Outside: Hang drying your laundry inside is a super-sneaky source of humidity in the house. If you’re having problems with humidity levels in the house, try moving your wet clothes to hand dry outside. Not only will they smell of crisp sunshine, but you’ll notice a dramatic drop in the amount of humidity in the house.
Don’t Diffuse: Yes – essential oils are all the rage, and they smell incredible. Diffusing oils can create a spa-like atmosphere in your lash room which is entirely beneficial to the client experience. Unfortunately, if moisture is a problem, diffusers won’t help. Most diffusers work by using ultrasonic vibrations to break up oil molecules to fill the room with a fine mist of water and scented oil.
Try an Off the Wall Idea: There are a few unconventional ideas you could try as well. Some people like to keep a pan of silica-based cat litter in a closet or corner. It’s designed to absorb moisture. Same with a basket full of charcoal chunks, baking soda, and even rock salt!
Get a Great Adhesive: Using a high-quality adhesive is the absolute best way to get the optimal bond. InfinitiLash's Premium bonding strength adhesive is top of the line in quality and performance. When used in acceptable humidity levels, there is no clumping, and the result is a smooth seamless look and application.
Getting Them to Stick
The key to getting a lash that won’t stick to stick is to address it right away. Don’t ignore it. Don’t skip it. Don’t move to the next lash or the other eye and “go back to it later.” None of these methods result in the best result for the client. Using a super bonder is another great option for helping those lashes stay on as long as possible for the best client experience.
InfinitiLash – Where Beauty Meets the Eye
Contact us to discuss our training programs, or to ask questions about our products, services, or the InfinitiLash Method. Visit us on the web 247 at infinitilash.com
Comments