There is a pervasive myth in the beauty and lash world that water or moisture of any kind will weaken lash adhesive and cause more to fall out and fall out sooner. So, to save their stunning lashes and get the most life from them, some lash wearers do the worst thing possible: they don’t wash them… ever. (Yuck!)
What’s the Deal with Water?
Like many urban legends, there’s a hint of truth at the origin. Any lash technician will tell you that you should avoid getting the lashes wet for 24-48 hours after application of a fill or full set.
How come? Although most adhesives are fast-drying, they do take 24-48 hours to cure. Curing is different from drying. Drying occurs when solvents in the adhesive evaporate. The result is a tack-free solid substance. It takes a few minutes for lash glue to dry. The curing process takes longer and involves a chemical reaction between the solvents in the adhesive and the oxygen in the air. The result is a stronger bond that is sealed and generally more resistant to chemicals and other pollutants. Once the adhesive has cured, you can safely wet and wash your lashes with oil-free cleaners without disturbing that bond.
What About Cleansers?
Yes! Please use cleansers to wash your lashes. Water isn’t enough. There are many gentle cleansers on the market that do not contain oil. If you’re not sure what to get, ask me!
Why do I Need to Clean My Lashes?
Just because you have lash extensions doesn’t mean that your skin and eyelids still aren’t exposed to everyday toxins, pollutants, and bacteria, such as:
Air pollution
Pollen
Airborne dirt and dust
Naturally occurring skin oils
Oil from fingers/touching lashes or face
Your lashes help keep many of these harmful substances out of your eyes, so lash extensions are just as exposed. As well, when lash technicians affix extensions, they generally leave a small 1mm-2mm gap between the lash line and the extension base. This is the perfect little pocket for dirt and other harmful stuff to build up.
A build-up of grime can lead to a whole host of problems, such as:
Blepharitis: An infection of the eyelid caused by bacteria and dirt build-up. It’s characterized by red, puffy eyelids and white-ish yellow scaled, flaking skin on the eyelid and in the lash-line.
Bacterial Infections: Having a bunch of bacteria and dirt hanging out on your eyelids and in your lashes means it’s only a matter of time until some of that bacterium gets into your eye. This will likely result in a bacterial infection and could lead to having to remove lashes during treatment!
Unsightliness: You got lash extensions to look like a million bucks, and now you can’t leave the house without sunglasses because you must hide the unsightly (gross) bacteria build-up and resulting eye irritation. Simply adopting a lash hygiene routine can ensure that your lashes look lovely, all the time.
The Benefits of Washing
The clear benefit of washing is avoiding problem-causing build-up. But did you know that washing your lashes regularly actually extends the life of your lashes? It’s true!
When you stick a sticker on a dirty window, what happens? It lifts. When you stick it to a clean window – good luck peeling it off! The same goes for lashes. Not only will cleaning your lashes regularly ensure a better bond, but it will also keep the eye and lash line healthy, so you can wear lashes consistently for as long as you choose. Regular washing also promotes healthy growth and regrowth of natural lashes. The more natural lashes there are to stick extension to, the fuller and more voluminous your set will look – and keep looking.
The Bottom Line
If you haven’t developed a healthy lash hygiene routine, talk to your technician, or contact me today. I can help you choose what to use and tell you how often to use it. Don’t be afraid to wet the lashes after that 48-hour window. Just remember to avoid products containing oil, as they do break down adhesives. Otherwise, please, please keep your lashes clean and healthy!
InfinitiLash - Where Beauty Meets the Eye
If you want to learn more about lash health and extending the life of your lash extensions, or if you’re curious about how to start your own lash extension business, contact us to discuss our training programs, or to ask questions about our products, services, or the InfinitiLash Method.
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