PREVENT EYELASH EXTENSION REACTIONS

As a professional eyelash stylist, chances are your clients will come to you for advice on eyelash extensions. Especially if they think they experienced a reaction after your treatment. While it's important never to give your clients medical advice, it's worth educating yourself about the causes of irritation and what to look out for.

Eyelash allergies are cumulative (they build up over time); H. one day your client is fine, and then, on her 7th treatment, she suddenly had an allergic reaction. Therefore, educating about reactions and irritations is really important. Sometimes one is a bit hasty and claims it's an allergic reaction when it can often be something else...

In today's blog we will talk more about possible reasons for reaction/irritation during an eyelash treatment and some ways to reduce irritation.

REASONS FOR IRRITATION

If your client claims to have had a reaction to eyelash extensions, it's possible that her eyes are red, itchy, or irritated. However, it does not necessarily have to be an allergic reaction. Here are some reasons for redness/itching:

1. Eye pad burn (pad movement during treatment)
2. Irritation from adhesive fumes (if eyes were open during treatment)
3. Client follow-up (if client has plucked/rubbed their eyelashes)
4. Allergy Season (Hay Fever)

GLUE FUMES

Glue fumes can be a major cause of eyelash extension irritation. Irritation from fumes can sometimes occur after an eyelash treatment so the client thinks she is experiencing a reaction to the glue, but it could be exposure to fumes that is causing this!

CHEMICAL BURNS

If your client experiences redness under the eye (in the area where the eye pad was placed), it is likely that the pads have slipped and been rubbed on the eyes during the treatment. Chemical burns are usually red and painful, so they can be mistaken for an "allergic reaction." The best way to prevent this is with proper pad placement. It is important that all lower lashes are covered during treatment. Make sure the pad is 0.5 to 1mm from the waterline and not blocking the glands or touching the eye with the eye closed. You can then attach the pad with a microporous tape if necessary.

AFTERCARE AT THE CUSTOMER

Good aftercare is essential to maintaining healthy lashes. However, you can't always control how your client cares for her lashes once she leaves the lash room. If your client has been picking, rubbing, or pulling on her eyelash extensions, her eyes may become red/irritated. Make sure your clients know proper aftercare instructions and wash their lashes daily. You can always give your clients an aftercare package when they leave the treatment!

HAY FEVER

Hay fever is characterized by red, itchy and watery eyes. During the hay fever season, pollen and allergens settle on the eyelashes and aggravate the existing symptoms. This makes the customer more susceptible to reactions and possible sensitivity to eyelash extensions/eyelash products. If you have a client who is suffering from hay fever, you need to let her know so she can make an informed decision about having the treatment. If your client wants to proceed with the lash extensions, you need to advise her not to pull or rub the lash extensions as this could damage the natural lashes.

HOW TO REDUCE IRRITATION

Here are some helpful tips to help minimize reaction and irritation during and after eyelash extensions:

1. Perform eyelash extensions in a well-ventilated room and use a fan to draw fumes away from the eyes.
2. Skip the primer and pre-clean the lashes with Cleanser instead.
3. To avoid chemical burns, use masking tape instead of eye pads!
4. Neutralize the glue point.
5. Make your customers aware of the importance of aftercare.