Kayla Young
Is mascara not cutting it when it comes to lash length and volume? Are you tired of using false lashes all the time? Eyelash extensions may be the perfect solution to your problem.
However, we’ve all heard about that one friend who had eyelash extensions and ended up with no lashes at all. Apparently, the natural lashes fell off or got ruined.
But is it true? Do eyelash extensions ruin your eyelashes? Is it really a cosmetic procedure that’s too good to be true?
The truth is, eyelash extensions do not ruin natural eyelashes. The mistake lies in how the eyelash extensions are applied to your natural eyelashes. With improper application, there is a risk of damaging or ruining your natural eyelashes.
How exactly can improper eyelash extensions ruin your eyelashes? We’ll discuss that in detail below.
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Do Eyelash Extensions Ruin Your Eyelashes? No, They Don’t.
When you get eyelash extensions and your natural eyelashes get damaged, the eyelash extensions will most likely get blamed for it.
However, the eyelash extensions themselves don’t really ruin your natural eyelashes. Your eyelashes are just like any other hair on the body. The hair strands naturally shed off as they complete their growth cycle.
The growth cycle of an eyelash is completed more or less in 90 days.
The hair will grow up to a certain length then stop growing. Eventually, it will shed off too.
Eyelash extensions are designed to be applied on a single natural eyelash at a time. That means that each specific eyelash is able to grow and complete the natural hair cycle until it eventually sheds off.
Once it sheds, the eyelash extension that is attached to it will also fall off. Then new eyelashes will grow.
The hairs don’t grow at the same time so you won’t expect to have bald eyelashes at times.
They grow and shed at different times so you probably won’t notice that they fall off.
Human Error
The real culprit in ruining or damaging the lashes lies in human error. It is when the eyelash extensions are improperly used or attached. This can ruin the natural eyelashes.
Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Natural Eyelashes
When you want to get eyelash extensions, you really need to find a reputable eyelash technician. Selecting who places your eyelash extensions can ensure that your natural lashes don’t get damaged.
Experienced professionals are more likely to avoid the mistakes that could ruin your natural eyelashes.
Here are the most common mistakes that could ruin your natural eyelashes when you have eyelash extensions.
The Eyelash Extensions Are Too Heavy
We all like thick lashes — they look more prominent. However, it is a common mistake to use eyelash extensions that are too thick for your eyelashes just to get that extra volume.
It is very important to carefully choose not only the appropriate length of the eyelash extensions but also the proper thickness.
The thickness of the natural lashes should be similar to the thickness of the chosen eyelash extensions.
Eyelash extensions that are too thick could stress the natural eyelashes they are attached to. Due to the weight of the thicker eyelash extensions, the natural eyelash could prematurely shed off.
Similarly, if the eyelash extension is also too long, this could also put stress on the natural lash the extension is attached to. Overly-long extensions could lead to premature shedding of the eyelashes.
It is important to note what kind of eyelashes you naturally have. You need to determine how much your lashes can handle. This can be genetic, but it may not bed.
It may be difficult to achieve as thick and as long lashes as the Kardashians have because the natural lashes simply cannot handle extensions safely.
Be realistic with your goals, and you’ll end up with a better, longer-lasting look.
Two Or More Lashes Or Extensions Are Glued Together
As we’ve mentioned, a single eyelash extension is meant to be attached to a single natural lash. You’ll get over one hundred per eye. If that is done (and everything is sized properly), the growth of the natural lashes will not be affected.
A common mistake that inexperienced eyelash professionals could make is to stick two or more eyelash extensions or natural eyelashes together.
When this happens, the error can disrupt the natural growth cycle of the lashes. If one of the natural lashes that makes the clump grows, it could pull the other lashes.
Eventually, it will shed. And that could pull the other attached lashes due to the error.
Premature shedding or pulling out of the eyelashes can damage the hair follicles.
This cluster of eyelashes isn’t just damaging to the natural eyelashes. It is also not great to look at!
Just imagine a clump of missing eyelashes. The goal here is to make your eyelashes look better, not worse.
Lash Extensions Are Glued To The Skin
Eyelash extensions should only be glued to the natural eyelash. It is never good for the eyelash extension to be glued to the skin.
The eyelash extension glue should never touch the skin. At first, it may seem ok. However, as the lashes grow, it will be very difficult for them to come out of the hair follicle that is clogged with glue.
If there are smaller lashes around the area where the glue meets the skin, they could also be pulled out as they grow.
Apart from ruining the natural eyelashes, glue that comes in contact with the skin could cause irritation known as contact dermatitis.
Is There No Hope For Damaged Natural Eyelashes Due To Improper Application?
In the unfortunate event that you’ve got damaged natural eyelashes due to the improper application of the eyelash extensions, you may feel worried and depressed about what could happen to your natural lashes.
You may wonder whether the lashes would still grow back. Is there still hope for your natural eyelashes?
Usually, eyelashes will grow back on their own. The growth rate of an eyelash is at an average of ½ inches per month. However, some people grow their lashes faster than others. There are various factors that could affect that.
You’d have to wait for about 6 to 8 weeks for your natural lashes to grow back to their original appearance.
There are lash growth serums that you could use to further help your lashes grow quicker. The serum will help with the recovery process of your damaged eyelashes.
However, if the damage to a follicle is too severe, you may not grow that single eyelash due to the extent of the damage.
And lash serums are… complicated. Some are prescription-only. To learn why they’re complicated, see:
- Do Eyelash Growth Serums Work?
- Do Eyelash Serums Change Your Eye Color?
- What Happens When You Stop Using Lash Serum?
How Long Do Eyelash Extensions Last?
Once you’ve gotten your eyelash extensions, you can enjoy having them for about a month before you’ll need a refill. Remember that the eyelashes are also hairs and they follow a natural hair growth cycle.
Some of the eyelashes may already be closing into the date when they shed off as you make your eyelash extension appointment. That is why it is normal to see natural shedding of eyelashes after having extensions.
IF just a few have fallen out, likely everything is fine. If most have fallen, there is something that has gone wrong.
In a month’s time, you may need to have refills. There are now newer eyelashes that have grown and don’t have extensions. Some of those that have extensions attached might have shed off at this point.
Some people wonder if they need to give their eyelashes a break before having eyelash extensions again.
The lash technician will be able to check the condition of the other extensions as you have your refill. Usually, refills are done every 2-4 weeks.
You don’t really have to give them a break especially if the eyelash extensions are attached properly. They won’t ruin your natural eyelashes because they would still follow the same growth pattern
Eyelash Extension Aftercare
Your natural eyelashes are less likely to get damaged if you know how to take care of them after having the extensions attached.
One of the first things lash technicians will tell you is to avoid getting them wet for at least 48 hours. That helps make sure that the glue is completely dry and that the eyelash extensions won’t move or get repositioned.
Oil-based products should also be avoided. That would include your makeup around the eyes or lashes, makeup remover, cleansers, serums, and other cosmetic or skincare products.
The glue used to attach the lash extensions could be dissolved by the oil, so best avoid it.
Additionally, avoid using waterproof mascara with eyelash extensions. Waterproof mascara is hard to remove, and can take your extensions with it!
You should also avoid rubbing your eyes or pulling on the extensions. Tugging them could weaken the attachment and they could fall off if you do so. Your natural lash may even shed if you rub them or tug them.
You should also avoid weighing them down. This would include standing under the shower for far too long. When you do, the additional weight of the water can cause them to break or fall off.
A spoolie brush would be your lashes’ best friend. It will be helpful in making sure excess water is removed without having to rub them with a towel.
