How to Prevent Eyelash Extension Reactions

As a professional lash artist its likely your clients will come to you looking for advice on lash extensions. Especially if they believe they have experienced a reaction following their treatment. While its important to never give clients medical advice, its worth staying educated on the causes of irritation and what to look out for.

Lash allergies are cumulative (they build up over time) so one day your client will be fine and then on her 7th visit to you, she reacts. Therefore, education on reactions and irritation really is vital. Sometimes, it’s easy to be a bit hasty and claim something is an allergic reaction when a lot of the time it can be something else…

In todays blog, we’re going to talk more about possible reasons for reactions/irritation during a lash treatment and some ways you can reduce irritation.

Reasons for irritation

If your client claims they’ve had a reaction to lash extensions, it’s possible they are experiencing redness, itchiness, or irritated eyes. However, this might not be an allergic reaction, here are some reasons for redness/itchiness:

• Chemical burn from eye pad (pad movement during treatment)
• Irritation to adhesive fumes (if the eyes have been open during treatment)
• Client aftercare (if client has picked/rubbed their lashes)
• Allergy season (hay fever)

Adhesive Fumes

Adhesive fumes can be one of the biggest causes of irritation from having lash extensions. Irritation to fumes can sometimes occur after a lash treatment, so the client believes they are experiencing a reaction to the adhesive, but it might be fume exposure which could be causing this!

Chemical Burns

If your client is experiencing redness under the eye (in the area where the eye pad was placed) then it’s likely the pads have moved and rubbed the eyes during treatment. Chemical burns are usually red and sore and therefore can be confused with an ‘allergic reaction’. The best way to prevent this is to use the correct pad placement. It is vital that all lower lashes are covered during the treatment. It is important to ensure that when you place the pad it is 0.5 – 1mm away from the waterline and not blocking the glands or touching the eye when the eye is closed. You can then secure the pad with micropore tape if required.

Client Aftercare

Good client aftercare is vital to maintain healthy lashes, however you can’t always control how your client looks after their lashes once they leave your lash room. If your client has picked, rubbed or pulled at their lash extensions its likely they’ll experience redness/irritated eyes. Ensure your clients are aware of the proper aftercare instruction and are washing their lashes daily. You can always give your client an aftercare pack when they leave the treatment! 

Hay Fever

Hay fever symptoms consist of red, itchy, and watery eyes. During hay fever season pollen and allergens will settle on lashes aggravating any existing condition. This leaves the client more vulnerable to reactions and possible sensitivity to lash extensions/lash products. If you have a client who suffers with hay fever, you’ll need to advise them on this so they can make an educated decision about whether to proceed with the treatment. If your client does want to proceed with the lash extension treatment, you’ll need to make them aware they cannot pull/rub at their lash extensions as this will cause damage to the natural lashes.

How to reduce client irritation

Here are some helpful tips that you can try to help minimise reactions and irritations during and after lash extension application:

• Lash in a well-ventilated room and use a fan to disperse fumes away from the eyes.
• Ditch the primer and pre cleanse the lashes with Purified Sensitive Cleanser instead.
• To avoid chemical burns, use tape instead of eye pads!
• Use a Nano Mister. The Nano Mister is relaxing, cooling, and refreshing and has the added boost of increased adhesive curing time.
• Neutralize your adhesive dot.
• Emphasise the importance of aftercare to your clients.

Remember: if your client has an allergy to Cyanoacrylate, they will not be able to have lash extensions.  

It’s important to stay educated and know what to do if your client experiences an allergy or irritation. Remember you are not a medical professional, so you are not in a position to give your clients medical advice. All reactions need to get diagnosed by a GP, as if your client does have an allergy to lash extension adhesive then they will not be able to have lash extensions again.

You can always offer a lash lift as an alternative!

We hope you found this blog helpful, as always if you have any questions just drop us a DM on Instagram @LashBase_UK and we’ll be happy to help.