Hello Lashers! A big welcome to this week's blog.
As an award-winning lash educator, this is one of the questions that gets thrown out there fairly often, and although a lot of information is included in beginners training, it is easy to be torn whether to lash, or not to lash! So, as we know, eyelash extensions are an amazing treatment that can completely transform your eyes, your natural lashes and your confidence, but let's face it - safety will always come first.
A professional lash technician should never be focused solely on creating beautiful lashes (or eager to fulfil a client booking). They should understand eye health, recognise contraindications, carry out thorough consultations, and know when it isn't appropriate to carry out the treatment.
In this blog, I'll explain exactly who shouldn't have lash extensions, when treatment may need to be postponed, and why patch testing and consultations are so important. Let's start with contraindications. This simply means a condition or circumstance that determines a treatment should either not be carried out at all, or should be delayed until it is safe to proceed. Some contraindications are temporary, while others may prevent someone from having lash extensions permanently. Clients may not be happy to hear they can't have lashes, but trust me, you'll thank yourself for not going ahead if the situation arises and prevents a safe treatment. It not only covers the clients health, but it covers your back too! Nobody wants complaints and a bad rep - or worse, if the client decides to report it and take it further.
Understanding contraindications is one of the most important parts of being a professional lash artist. Below are a few examples of contraindications:
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Styes
- Eye infections caused by bacteria or viruses
- Any unexplained redness, swelling or discharge
Applying lash extensions over an active infection can make the condition worse and increase the risk of spreading it to others. You'll need to advise your clients to wait until the infection has completely cleared and, if necessary, been discharged by the GP or optician before booking them back in for another appointment.
One of the biggest worries in the industry - from the lash techs AND clients, is whether they can be allergic to eyelash extension glue. Professional lash adhesives contain cyanoacrylate, which is responsible for creating the strong bond between the natural lash and the extension. While true adhesive allergies are uncommon, they do happen.
Below are some symptoms to look out for:
- Swollen eyelids
- Itching
- Redness
- Watering eyes
- Irritation that develops after treatment
Unfortunately, if a genuine allergy develops, continuing to wear lash extensions isn't recommended, as reactions often become worse with repeated exposure. I spent a lot of time looking into adhesive sensitivities and allergies. During that time I developed the 'Topaz Sensitive Lash Adhesive". It's important to keep in mind that this is not a glue for those that have an allergic reaction to lash glue. It is designed for those with a history of mild irritation and as a trial use for those types of clients to reintroduce lash extensions. It is also a great glue to use for patch testing. Click here to view and find out more about my Topaz adhesive. which brings me onto my next topic of discussion!
It's important to understand that no patch test can ever guarantee someone won't develop an allergy. A patch test may identify an existing sensitivity, but allergies can develop at any time, even after wearing lash extensions for years without any issues. This is something every professional lash technician should explain during the consultation process. A full consultation and detailed medical history are often just as important as the patch test itself. So, if there is one thing you swear by, make it patch testing every client before their first set. Yes, client's see it as a mild inconvenience, but it shows your professionalism and your care. Patch testing is so quick and easy, and they'll thank you for it!
Moving on to talk about eye health. If you're client has recently undergone:
- LASIK surgery
- Cataract surgery
- Eyelid surgery
- Any other eye procedure
You should wait until their surgeon or eye specialist has confirmed the eyes have fully healed before booking lash extensions. Eyes are incredibly delicate after surgery, and it's never worth risking complications. Some medical conditions don't automatically prevent lash extensions, but they do require extra care.
Below are some examples to 'keep your eye out for'!
- Blepharitis
- Severe dry eye syndrome
- Chronic eye inflammation
- Certain autoimmune conditions affecting healing
Every client should be assessed individually. If there's ever uncertainty, I always recommend clients seeking advice from your healthcare professional before treatment. Another concern I have come across during my lash career is issues with the skin around the eyes. Healthy skin is essential for comfortable lash extension application. Treatment should be postponed if there is:
- Eczema flare-ups
- Psoriasis around the eyes
- Broken skin
- Dermatitis
- Severe irritation
Once the skin has healed, lash extensions can often be applied safely. Although uncommon, you may also come across clients who excessively rub their eye area. Some people naturally rub their eyes frequently due to allergies, hay fever, or habitual rubbing. Unfortunately, this can dramatically reduce lash retention and may even damage their natural lashes.
Healthy natural lashes are the foundation of every beautiful lash set. If you discover your client's lashes have been damaged through previous poor application, incorrect removals, rubbing/picking or overloading with lashes that were too heavy, it is important to allow the natural lashes time to recover before applying extensions again.
I always feel the best treatment is to give natural lashes the chance to become healthy first. Then, you've got the perfect base to work with.
If you're providing full consultations for each of your clients, you'll recognise any concerns before you start the treatment. As we know, no two clients are the same. That's why every appointment should begin with a thorough consultation.
As a professional lash technician, I always ask about:
- Medical history
- Allergies
- Eye conditions
- Current medications
- Previous reactions
- Lifestyle
- Desired look
- Lash health
These questions aren't simply paperwork. They help ensure your treatment is both safe and successful. If you're fully qualified and have completed all of your relevant training to safely lash, you're on the right path! Beautiful lashes come from education, experience and understanding. As someone who has spent years competing internationally, judging competitions, educating future lash artists and developing professional lash products, I truly believe knowledge is what protects clients. A well-trained lash artist knows when not to perform a treatment, and that's just as important as creating a beautiful set of lashes. So, if you're confident in your work, have your clients best interests at heart, and show you genuinely care about their health then your expertise is worth its weight in gold!
At Eyelash Excellence Ltd, I'm passionate about raising standards within the lash industry through award-winning training, professional products, and sharing the knowledge I've gained throughout my career. That being said, if you're only just starting to dip your toe into the lash world, I'd highly recommend ensuring you start smart and take an accredited course to get you fully up and running, like my Beginners Online Course. I have touched on certain topics here in this blog, but the course goes way more in depth. Reading a few bits of online educational content is great to widen your knowledge, but it's not enough. You'll learn everything you need to know, including contraindications and patch testing, which is paramount to become a good lash artist. Click here to view the course page.
...Because beautiful lashes should always begin with safe practice.
I hope you've enjoyed this read - pop back soon for more educational blogs!
Love Frankie x