Will Eyelash Extensions Ruin Your Natural Lashes?

Will Eyelash Extensions Ruin Your Natural Lashes?

I should probably join Eyelash Extensions Anonymous, because I'm fully, truly, admittedly addicted. The moment I realized I could completely skip mascara (which cuts my morning makeup routine in half) and still look like a put-together human, I became obsessed. Eyelash extensions are legitimately like magic. They glam-up your face without you having to lift a finger.Best wholesale eyelash vendor

That said, there's a lot of chatter out there about lash extensions ruining your natural lashes. It's a beauty myth that's been floating around for, like, ever. But is there some truth to it? I wore lashes for six months straight and they did absolutely no harm to my natural lashes.

Lots of issues and aspects need to be considered when it comes to lashes (they are next to your eyes, after all!). You need to ask questions, do your research, go to a clean, established place, and work with a skilled stylist who has been trained in the technique. To help you make a decision about whether eyelash extensions are right for you without relying on whispers from the beauty gossip mill, I tapped Andra Marin, artistic director and expert lash stylist at Courtney Akai Lash Boutique in New York, and Ophthalmologist Alberto Distefano, M.D., of Boston University School of Medicine. Together, they explained everything you'll ever need to know about lash extensions.

Failure to ask the above is when horror stories surface, says Marin. There can be “damage due to poor application, infections from unsterilized tweezers, and terrible allergic reactions due to harsh adhesives.” She continues, “The products used around the eye area should be of good quality and mild enough to not create any discomfort during or after application. Minimizing irritation, preventing infections, and allergic reactions is something a good lash technician takes very seriously. Washing hands, sanitizing everything, using disposable brushes and sterilizing our tweezers are a must. It is a moral issue really.”

And it is of the utmost importance to check on your eye health first. “Make sure your eyes are healthy and free from infections,” Marin explains. “Get the okay from a doctor before getting eyelash extensions if you have had any kind of eye surgery or eye procedures recently.”

“Years ago, it used to be that mink lashes were considered superior,” Marin explains. “But the difference nowadays between natural mink and synthetic silk extensions are almost undetectable. Plus, silk lashes are also entirely hypoallergenic; if you are allergic to animal hair, you may experience an allergic reaction to the mink.” Where the lash extensions were produced also matters. “I use and recommend lash products made in the U.S.: In the U.S., we have medical grade adhesives at our disposal, which are very well tolerated by people because the mild fumes cannot be felt during the procedure or irritate the eyes.”

You may think you have the extensions you want all figured out, but consult your stylist to determine which kind of falsies are best suited for the length of shape of your own lashes. It could be different from what you imagined. “Wearing lashes that are too long or too thick can spell damage in the long-run; they weigh more than shorter lashes and can cause stress to the hair follicle,” Marin warns. "That stress can make your natural lashes fall out prematurely, and when that consistently happens it can cause permanent damage. It’s best to stick to a length that is not more than 2mm longer than that of your natural lashes and a diameter that does not exceed that of your natural lash. The curl and shape of your lash could be a matter of preference, though.”