You don’t want to sacrifice your health for beauty. That’s why researching the safety of any eye treatment matters.
So, are eyelash extensions safe? Many people can wear them without problems, but they aren’t risk-free. Eyelash extensions and the adhesives used to apply them can cause irritation, allergic reactions, infection, injury to the eye area, and damage to natural lashes. How they’re applied, the products used, your own sensitivities, and how well you care for them afterward can all affect the risk.
If you’re thinking about getting lash extensions, here’s what you should know before you book an appointment.
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The Safety of Eyelash Extensions
All things in life come with risks, and lash extensions are no different. The important question isn’t whether they’re completely risk-free, but what those risks are and how much they can be reduced through careful application, good hygiene, and appropriate products.
How safely eyelash extensions can be worn depends on several things, including the products used, how they’re applied, your own sensitivities, and the condition of your natural lashes and eye area.
Reported complications associated with eyelash extensions include allergic eyelid reactions, inflammation of the eye surface, conjunctival erosion, and traction alopecia. The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeWiki overview of eyelash extensions discusses these complications in more detail.
That said, before deciding to go ahead with extensions, consider all of the eyelash extensions pros and cons beyond just safety.
The Risks Of Getting Eyelash Extensions
It’s important to understand the risks associated with lash extensions before you decide to book an appointment.
Skin Irritation
Lash adhesive and other products used during an extension appointment can irritate the skin around the eyes.
Irritation may show up as redness, itching, burning, or swelling around the eyelids. Allergic reactions can cause similar symptoms, so it isn’t always easy to tell the difference yourself.
If you develop significant or persistent swelling, pain, or irritation, contact a healthcare professional, especially if the eye itself is affected.
Eye Irritation
Because extensions, adhesive, tape, and tools are all used very close to the eye, there is also a risk of direct irritation or injury.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeWiki resource lists complications such as keratoconjunctivitis and conjunctival erosion associated with eyelash extensions.
Persistent eye pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, significant redness, or the feeling that something is stuck in your eye should be assessed by an eye-care professional.
Dry Eyes
Eyelash extensions may be uncomfortable for people who already experience dry or sensitive eyes.
Long or heavy extensions can potentially affect normal blinking or increase irritation around the eye area. If you already have chronic dry eye or another ongoing eye condition, it’s a good idea to speak with an eye-care professional before getting extensions.
Allergy
Allergic reactions to lash extensions are usually related to ingredients in the adhesive rather than the lash fibers themselves.
Symptoms may include itchy or swollen eyelids, redness, tearing, or irritation. You may also become sensitive to an ingredient after previous exposure without a problem.
The FDA recommends checking the ingredients in eyelash adhesives before use, particularly because reactions around the eyelids can be especially troublesome.
If you develop an allergic reaction, stop using the product and seek medical advice if symptoms persist or are significant.
Infection
Good hygiene is especially important when products and tools are being used close to the eyes.
Wash your hands before touching the eye area and make sure the tools used during application are clean. If you develop significant swelling, discharge, pain, persistent redness, or other concerning eye symptoms, contact a healthcare professional.
Loss of Eyelashes
There is a potential risk of natural lash loss when extensions repeatedly place too much weight or tension on the natural lashes.
This is known as traction alopecia, which is hair loss associated with repeated pulling or tension.
That doesn’t mean that lash extensions will ruin your eyelashes. Good application should take the condition and strength of your natural lashes into account and avoid placing excessive weight or tension on them.
Guidelines for Avoiding Risks
While you can’t make eyelash extensions completely risk-free, careful application, good hygiene, appropriate products, and proper care can help reduce avoidable problems.
Choose Your Lash Technician Carefully
Choosing a good lash technician is an important part of reducing avoidable problems. So what should you look for?
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Check the reviews. Look for reviews that mention hygiene practices, consultations, application quality, and the overall experience.
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Ask about training. Requirements vary depending on where you live, so ask what lash-specific training or qualifications your technician has.
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Ask about hygiene. Find out how tools and work surfaces are cleaned and whether disposable items are replaced between clients.
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Ask what products are used. Your technician should be able to tell you which adhesive and other products will be used around your eyes.
Ask About the Adhesive
Your lash technician should be open to sharing information with you about the lash adhesive they use. If you have an allergy that you’re already aware of, let your technician know and ask them to confirm whether that ingredient is present in the adhesive.
It’s also worth checking the product information before application, especially if you’ve reacted to lash adhesives or similar products before.
Ask About Patch Testing
If you’re concerned about an adhesive allergy, ask your lash technician about appropriate testing before your appointment.
Avoid testing undiluted lash adhesive directly on your skin yourself. DermNet’s guidance on acrylate allergy explains that suspected acrylate allergy can be investigated with appropriately prepared patch testing and cautions against applying acrylate monomers directly to the skin “as is.”
If you’ve reacted to lash adhesive before or suspect an allergy, speak with a dermatologist or another qualified healthcare professional about appropriate testing.
Practice Excellent Aftercare
Aftercare is another key aspect of keeping your lashes in great shape. Your lash technician will give you instructions on how to take care of your eyelash extensions, including how to clean and brush them properly.
Keep your hands clean when touching the eye area, and avoid rubbing, pulling, or picking at your extensions. Follow the cleaning and aftercare instructions your lash technician provides.
Take Breaks
Some professionals recommend taking occasional breaks from lash extensions, while others don’t consider routine breaks necessary.
Instead of following a fixed schedule, pay attention to your natural lashes and eye area. If you notice unusual lash loss, persistent irritation, or another problem, stop and get appropriate professional advice before continuing.
When to Avoid Eyelash Extensions Altogether
With some eye or skin conditions, it may be better to avoid eyelash extensions, or at least speak to your doctor or eye-care professional before booking your appointment. These can include:
- Allergies to ingredients in lash adhesives
- Chronic dry eyes
- Frequent styes or eye infections
- Rosacea, eczema, or other inflammatory conditions affecting the eye area
- Alopecia areata or other conditions affecting the natural lashes
If you haven’t been diagnosed with a specific condition but regularly experience sensitive or irritated eyes, consider speaking with an eye-care professional before getting eyelash extensions.
Alternatives To Eyelash Extensions
If all of the risks of lash extensions sound a little scary or you think that you might not be a candidate in the first place, you’ve got some other options to consider.
DIY Extensions
Lash clusters put all of the control in your hands and problem-solve some of the potential issues with professional extensions. DIY extensions come in clusters that you apply to your lashes from below.
The adhesive for lash clusters is an eye-safe glue designed to last for up to 5 or 10 days, depending on the formula. It cures almost immediately without emitting any fumes, so it poses less of a risk of irritating the eyes or causing allergies. That said, we’d still recommend patch testing it if you’re allergy-prone or have sensitive skin.
Taking them off if you have any issues is easy to do by yourself with a strong makeup remover or a dedicated DIY extension remover.
Lash extensions have a few other benefits over professional extensions. To start, they’re significantly more affordable. They’re also more convenient - you don’t have to book appointments or worry about refills.
False Lashes
If you only want big lashes for a day, false lashes are another great option.
Like other adhesive-based lash products, they still need to be applied carefully. Check the adhesive ingredients and follow the product instructions, especially if you have a known allergy or sensitivity to an ingredient.
Final Thoughts
Bottom line, are eyelash extensions safe? Many people wear them without experiencing problems, but lash extensions aren’t completely risk-free. The adhesive, application technique, hygiene, and condition of your natural lashes and eyes can all play a role.
Choose your lash technician and products carefully, follow the recommended aftercare, and watch for persistent irritation or other concerning eye symptoms.
