You want your eyes to look better than ever with some newly fitted eyelash extensions.And why not? They are amazing.
But, they’re also expensive.
You’re wondering whether the investment is worth it — after all, how long can eyelash extensions realistically last?
Broadly speaking, lashes can last anywhere from two weeks to six weeks, but, there is no single right answer.
Here are several factors that may affect the amount of time your extensions last:
The Growth Cycle Of Your Natural Lashes
A study by The National Center for Biotechnology Information found that natural lashes have a life cycle consisting of three phases.
Eyelash extensions are added in the final phase of the growth and shedding cycle, known as the Telogen stage.
Specialists at Treatwell say:
“With accurate application, an extension should last for the duration of the natural lash cycle. This could be anything from 1 day or as long as 6 weeks depending on your personal lash cycle and at what point during the cycle (or anagen stage) that the extension is applied…”
So, in theory, it’s entirely possible to lose lash extensions on the same day you had them fitted, but it’s also equally possible to not lose them for up to 6 weeks.
Needless to say, the results vary on a strand by strand basis.
Type Of Lashes And How They Are Applied
Different to cluster or strip lashes, lash extensions are applied individually.
This means they are not attached to the lash line or grouped together — rather they are attached to an isolated lash, one by one.
The strand of natural lash hair needs to be at least 3mm in length before having an extension applied. With this in mind, another factor that impacts your eyelash extension life-span is the grade of adhesive used to bond them to the natural lash.
You should make sure that your lash technician is using a medical-grade adhesive for best results.
Assuming your eyelash extensions have been fitted correctly, we must now consider the things you can do to make your lashes last longer.
How Can I Maintain My Eyelash Extensions?
The best way to prolong the life of those fabulous lash extensions is to be mindful of how you treat them.
When some people ask, “Why do my lash extensions only last a week?” the most likely cause is improper care.
The glue bonding them to your natural lashes, although strong, is semi-permanent.
It can become loosened from the natural lashes quite easily if you don’t follow some basic lash guidelines.
To help you ensure your lash extensions last, get reading these top tips:
- Steer clear of mascara. It is wise to completely avoid using eye makeup, particularly mascara — especially if it’s waterproof. This is because there are chemicals present in the mascara that can dissolve the lash bonding agent. In addition to the use of the mascara itself, the process required to remove it can cause unnecessary stress to both your extensions and natural lashes.
- Don’t use oil-based products. Oil products can damage the adhesive, so if you wear makeup, avoid using oil-based makeup removers to take it off. Your safest bet to remove makeup is to use micellar water — apply with a cotton pad and gently hold it onto your eye area, before gently sweeping downward. This should help the makeup come away easily. Other products that may contain oil, and so are best avoided, are under eye creams, brow serum, and even setting spray.
- Forgo a shower. It’s recommended that you don’t take a shower for at least 24 hours after having your extensions fitted. For optimal results, it’s best to not get them wet at all for 48 hours. If you do happen to get them wet, dab gently with a cotton pad to soak up the liquid as soon as possible.
Image courtesy - Avoid All Moisture. Though lash extensions are moisture resistant to a point, this is not enough to sustain excess exposure. Don’t use a sauna or steam room, and hold back on watching movies that’ll make the tears flow. It’s best to stay away from a swimming pool altogether, but if you do like to swim, be sure to wear goggles (or at the very least keep your head above the water).
- Never rub. If you need to scratch an itch or rub the lash area, use a clean mascara wand or tweezers. Rubbing will irritate the skin area and potentially damage the lash bonding agent.
- Clean regularly. Keeping your lashes clear of muck is a must, but be careful when doing so and use a safe cleanser. Micellar water or an oil-free cleansing cream will work. Apply to a cotton pad or an eyelash brush, then gently swipe it on in a downward motion from the lash-line to the tip of the eyelash extensions. Rinse with fresh water until all of the product is removed. It is very important to not scrub, as it would be too abrasive to the area where the lashes connect.
Image courtesy - Brush daily. To avoid crisscrossed lashes and tangles, take a mascara wand or spoolie and gently brush through the lash extensions. Do this in sync with the direction of your lashes, not backward. If you do this once a day, you’ll be helping to maintain the extensions for longer wear. This is also a great way to keep your natural lashes healthy. Do not overdo this, though, as it may loosen the bond.
- Have maintenance. If you’re wanting to keep the lash extensions lasting longer, getting refills is a great idea. We recommend doing this as soon as you notice your extensions coming away. You can continue to get refills as often as every two weeks, but eventually, you will need to get a new set of lashes. Having refills requires you to follow the same rules as the initial full set application — in particular, avoid getting them wet for 24 hours.
A combination of expert application, personal care, and professional maintenance will give you the best results and help your eyelash extensions last longer.
Do Eyelash Extensions Ruin Your Lashes?
In truth, there has been very little research carried out on eyelashes.
But, from what is known, eyelash extensions do not cause long term damage to the natural lashes if they are fitted correctly.
If fitted incorrectly, however, you are at risk of developing ocular problems such as keratoconjunctivitis.
NCBI says this is usually caused when glue and removing agents come into direct contact with the surface of the eye, leading to inflammation.
Having the treatment done by an experienced professional, who will apply the eyelash extensions with precision, is the best way to ensure that they are applied properly.
They are working with small margins for error while applying the lashes meticulously, just 1mm away from the lash line.
They follow a step by step procedure before the gluing process can begin.
- Separate the lashes
- Isolate the chosen natural lash
- Attach the extension with lash glue
- Repeat the process
In addition to the careful application process, the removal of the eyelash extensions needs to be done very delicately too.
Head over to How to Remove Eyelash Extensions to get more helpful information.
When wondering “How long do eyelash extensions last?” it will be helpful to remember all of the elements we have outlined here.
As a reminder, favorite this page to make for easy access once you’ve had your new lashes fitted.
Featured image: pxfuel.com
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