Eyelash extensions are a popular way to enhance the look of your eyes, but they can also be dangerous if not applied correctly. The adhesive used in eyelash application is cyanoacrylate glue, or superglue, which is known to cause a wide range of eye problems, such as contact dermatitis, conjunctival and corneal abrasion, keratoconjunctivitis and punctiform keratopathy, as well as systemic reactions such as asthma and allergies rhinitis. When applied incorrectly or with the wrong adhesive, they can cause discomfort, infections and permanent loss of eyelashes. Risk of irritation and infection is one of the main dangers of eyelash extensions. If proper hygiene and application requirements are not met, irritation or infection may occur.
Most eyelash technicians should do a “patch test” with glue before applying extensions. A patch test will let them know if you're allergic to the glue they plan to use. Sometimes, even if there is no allergy, the chemicals in the glue can cause irritation on the eyelid. The area around the eyes and eyelids is very sensitive, which means that the weight of the glue can also pull the hair on the eyelashes and cause irritation.
Over time, magnets can drag the eyelid down permanently. Glue can also get into the eyes. It probably won't harm your vision. However, it can hurt and take time to heal. The way you sleep, shower, wash your face and other normally simple tasks should be done with care to keep your eyelash extensions calm, which can become a difficult task after a while.
Keep in mind that practicing these care techniques does not guarantee that your eyelash extensions will last longer than the average lifespan or that they protect your natural eyelashes from breakage. Other potential dangers of eyelash extensions include alopecia areata (a condition that causes total or partial loss of hair on the scalp and can affect eyebrows and eyelashes), trichotillomania (a stress-induced or anxiety-induced need to pull out hair, including eyelashes), and financial investment (the price of eyelash extensions depends on where you make them).It may seem like a harmless way to accentuate the eyes, but the techniques behind extensions and dyeing can cause infections or allergic reactions that can affect vision. While it's possible to achieve the look of eyelash extensions with a DIY method, it's not recommended and can seriously damage eyelashes and eyeballs. For best results, the eyelash technician should use medical glue to fix the extensions. While a quick search on YouTube will produce hundreds of DIY videos for removing eyelash extensions, the truth is that the surest way to remove them is to let them fall out on their own. The reason formaldehyde can be a problem in eyelash adhesive is that many salons receive products that are shipped from all over the world, and travel time causes the chemical to build up inside the glue. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, some dangers of using eyelash extensions include eyelid infection or swelling, corneal infection, and temporary loss of eyelashes.
Unlike temporary false eyelashes, which adhere to the eyelid in a single strip, eyelash extensions are individual eyelashes. Before deciding if you want to get lash extensions or not, it's important to understand all potential risks associated with them. To help you decide if they are right for you without relying on rumors from the beauty gossip industry, I consulted Andra Marin (opens in a new tab), artistic director and expert eyelash stylist at Courtney Akai Lash Boutique (opens in new tab) in New York, and ophthalmologist Alberto Distefano (opens in a new tab), M.
