Long-term use of synthetic eyelashes entails risks, especially with regard to the condition of natural eyelashes, since they suffer trauma to the eyelashes as they shorten, thin and weaken and, in some cases, the total loss of natural eyelashes may occur. There is also a risk of eye medical problems, such as conjunctivitis and the long-term problem of blepharitis, which could make future use of eyelash extensions no longer considered. To ensure that natural lashes recover after the constant use of eyelash extensions, eyelash extensions should be removed every six to eight months to allow the eyelid line to be thoroughly cleaned after months of makeup and bacteria build-up, and also to allow natural lashes to grow and thicken. We recommend a minimum break of two months after eyelash extensions to allow natural lashes to fully recover and regrow.
If your lashes fall out naturally, they'll grow back over time and with a little help from eyelash serums, even faster. However, eyelash extensions spoil the entire cycle. All those chemicals that seep into the follicles destroy natural lashes, and constant fillers will minimize their growth. Individual eyelash extensions are applied to each of the individual natural lashes (one extension per natural eyelash) with a semi-permanent glue.
If you end up curling your lashes with an eyelash curler, Richardson recommends the one that heats your lashes like a miniature curler, such as the Envious Lashes thermal eyelash curler. Ramy Gafni, famous makeup and eyebrow guru, advises opting for extensions that align with the shape of existing lashes, rather than extra long and dramatic lashes. Although the side effects of eyelash extensions were quite drastic, it only took me a few searches to figure out how the damage can be reversed. Below, two eyelash experts, a dermatologist and a plastic surgeon explain everything you need to know about eyelash extensions, from finding the right eyelash artist to the cost, risks, and everything in between.
And try taking breaks where you let your natural lashes do their thing (and use an eyelash conditioning serum to help them recover their health). The cost of eyelash extensions can vary greatly depending on your location, your eyelash technician, the type of eyelashes used, and the style you want. Natural eyelashes fall out every 45 to 60 days, which means that some extensions can last up to 2 months. One of my clients came to the salon a couple of days before she booked the removal of eyelash extensions, worried that she wasn't doing the right thing by taking them off and wanted a second opinion.
Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent fibers that adhere to natural lashes to make the fringe of the eyelashes look longer, fuller and darker. The result was great (I woke up with bangs full of eyelashes and went to work without putting on any makeup), but after a week I started to wake up with my pillowcase covered with eyelashes, both extensions and my own natural eyelashes.
