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Are You a Lash Extension Candidate?
“Can anyone get lash extensions?”
We get this question all the time. Today, we’re going to provide some insight into who makes a good lash candidate (hint: almost everyone!), who doesn’t, why and what you can do to get your lashes extension-ready.
Are You a Candidate for Eyelash Extensions?
Generally, if you have natural eyelashes, you can get lash extensions. If your natural lashes are in optimal health and you do not have any hair-loss conditions, sensitivities or allergies (we’re sharing more on this below), then you should have no problem being able to get lash extensions!
On the other hand, if you have few or no natural lash hairs, if your lashes are weak, in poor condition, you have a medical condition that has left you with no lashes or you have severe allergies, then you may not be a candidate for lash extensions.
But…how do you know for sure?
Before diving into the application process, your certified Lash Lounge stylist will carefully look at your natural lash line during your consultation. If she finds eyelash extensions aren’t a good fit for you, she can offer some tips and expert advice so, if it’s possible, you can work on getting your lash line extension- ready for next time.
Why Not Everyone Is a Good Candidate for Lash Extensions
Below are some reasons eyelash extensions aren’t always a good fit for our guests.
- Lack of Natural Lash Hairs: In order to get lash extensions, you must have natural lash hairs for the extensions to attach to.
- Alopecia: A condition causing the inability to grow hair.
- Chemotherapy Hair Loss: Lash extensions will be possible again once lash hairs grow back and are strong enough to hold the extensions.
- Mechanical Damage: Hairs that have been removed or are too short due to using a manual curler or scissors.
- Trichotillomania: A disorder that involves recurring urges to pull out body hair, including lashes. For guests who suffers from this disorder, we suggest setting up a consultation so our stylists can look at the lash line. In some cases, eyelash extensions can still be applied and have actually kept people with this disorder from tugging on their natural eyelashes.
- Poor Natural Lash Health: Lashes that are extremely short, thin and fragile may not be strong enough to support eyelash extensions. To strengthen your natural lashes, we recommend adding foods and vitamins to your diet that promote hair growth.Lash serums like neuLASH PROFESSIONAL™ are also great for helping strengthen and revitalize the appearance of your lashes. Short, brittle, thin or sparse eyelashes can become noticeably softer and appear longer and thicker in as little as 3–4 weeks!
- Damaged Natural Lashes from Poor Lash Application: Sometimes, guests come to us with natural lash damage after receiving a poor lash application at another salon or with outside lash stylist. In these cases, we recommend guests wait for the damaged lashes to naturally shed before applying extensions. This could mean waiting anywhere from one to three months, depending on how much damage is present. After that, they can schedule a consultation and our stylist will check the natural lash growth progress.
- Allergies to Adhesives: Anyone with an allergy to the medical-grade adhesive cyanoacrylate (an industry standard when it comes to the application of eyelash extensions) may not be a candidate for lash extensions. However, our salons do carry a variety of adhesives ranging in strength to accommodate guests with allergies. For guests who would like to determine whether an alternate adhesive would make sense for them, we invite them to come in before their appointments for a patch test.
Wondering how a patch test is performed? Here’s how we do it at our salons:
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- The stylist will apply 5 short extensions close together in the area of the point of emphasis on her guest.
- The stylist will then make sure nothing is stuck together, attached to the skin and that no adhesive drops are left behind on the skin.
- Next, the stylist will record which adhesives were tested on which eye and allow the guest to go a minimum of 24 hours up to 48 hours with the tested adhesive.
- If a reaction does occur, it will be isolated to the designated area, which will allow the stylist to determine which, if any, adhesive is safe to use.For guests who are highly allergic to adhesives and cannot receive lash extensions, a lift is another lash service option for them to explore and discuss with their stylist.
- Thyroid Medication: A guest who is on thyroid medication can still be lashed; however, they could experience increased shedding. If extreme shedding does occur, scheduling a refill appointment every week is recommended to keep that lash line full.
- Active Eye Infections: If a guest has conjunctivitis, a sty, blepharitis and other eye infections, they are not lash candidates. If you have signs of an infection, we recommend you see your physician. Once the infection is gone, you’ve got the green light to reschedule your lash appointment!
- Recovering from Procedures: If you are recovering from any type of eye procedure (cataract surgery, a LASIK procedure, a surgical eye or brow lift, etc.), you will need to be released from your doctor’s care before getting lash extensions and potentially any other services we offer. This also applies to eyebrow microblading. Once the brow has healed, then your regular lash extension routine can resume.
All Clear for Lash Day! (AKA, The BEST Day)
If you’re clear of all the conditions mentioned above and your lashes are strong and healthy, then it’s time to make that beloved lash appointment. (Let’s do a happy dance!)
If you’re not quite sure and want to let our expert stylists take a look, we’d love to see you! Find a Lash Lounge near you and schedule a free consultation.
