Lashes open the eyes adding the mesmerizing effects to the eyes, making them appear brighter and more beautiful. However, just like everything else in life, it comes with that 1% risk (i.e. birth control, cosmetic procedures, etc.) When you want to try / wear lashes, it is at your own will to get the services done. You never know if your body will react a certain way, until you experience it. Allergic reaction does not happen very often in Eyelash Extensions however, it is not uncommon. So what to do if it happen? Read on...
Being in the industry for over 8 years, we recognize different cases of allergic reactions ranging from mild to severe. In this article, we compose different types of allergies in relation to eyelash extensions and how to temporarily treat them if it occurs.
Disclaimer: All content and information in this post are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your own Medical Provider regarding any questions or concerns you have about your specific health before implementing any recommendations or suggestions from our Website.
By definition "Allergy: A condition in which the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance."
Allergic Reaction in Eyelash Extensions has two types:
Eyelash Irritation: Mild - a discomfort and disappearing quickly
Eyelash Allergy: Severe - diverse symptoms and lasts for a few hours to days
LASH IRRITATION - MILD CASE
Shows up immediately, such as within minutes
Usually occurs in one eye.
Different eyes may have varied reactions.
Disappears within 24 hours.
Improves with every passing hour.
You can still wear lashes but with proper care and products being used.
Symptoms:
Redness in the eyes
Discomfort when blinking
Irritated and itchy
Feel like Dry eye
What To Do with Lash Irritation:
Apply rewetting eye drops often
Rinse your eyes with water
Keep your lashes clean and reduce usage of eye makeup.
Avoid wearing eye makeup.
Avoid touching the eyes with your hands/fingers, you could be transferring germs.
Ask your technician to reduce the amount of glue next time.
Ask your technician to leave out the Primer next time. (Primer activates the adhesion of the glue, this helps stronger longer lasting extensions, especially if you have an active lifestyle and working out a lot. However, it is also an alcohol base that can be drying to your eyes if you happen to have somewhat sensitive eyes)
LASH ALLERGY - MILD TO SEVERE CASES
Shows up immediately but can also reveal after 24 to 48 hours.
It can occur in one eye or both eyes.
One eye will have a severe reaction.
It can last a few hours to a few days.
Worsens untreated with time.
Lash allergies often occur, with several symptoms occurring all at once. While it can differ based on the biology of the wearer and the chemistry of the allergen, the following signs are most common. They will help you narrow down a lash allergy.
Symptoms:
Redness
Itching
Irritation
Burning
Stinging
Watery eyes
Runny nose
Swelling
Headache
What Causes Lash Allergy or Lash Allergic Reaction?
Eyelash extension allergies may be triggered by your body’s hypertensive reaction against any type of chemical cosmetic products. To be fair, lash allergies aren’t anyone’s fault, simply put allergy is a reaction of the body when it "does not like" something.
Most arises from the lash adhesives. In the adhesive, there is a chemical called cyanoacrylate and carbon black. Cyanoacrylate is a bonding chemical that gives the adhesion to the glue. Carbon Black is the black color of the glue. All eyelash extension glue has about 90% or more of Cyanoacrylate. Sensitive glue has less percentage of Cyanoacrylate. Therefore, the adhesion or retention is less than normal glue in this aspect (lashes shed faster because the bonding is not as strong.)
Though there is no direct glue being dropped in your eyes (it might feel like it due to the stinging). It is actually the VAPOR of the glue is what, can trigger your allergy if you are sensitive.
What To Do with Lash Allergy or Lash Allergic Reaction:
Remove the allergen - meaning you must remove the lashes altogether. This means your body does not "like" what you are putting on and sadly, you may not be able to wear lashes.
Putting rewetting eye drops to help ease the eyes
Rinse or wash your eyes often
If you don't have any allergy to anti-histamines, over the counter Benadryl may be a good option to help the body fight it.
Avoid wearing eye makeup
Apply cold compress
Avoid touching the eyes with your hands/fingers, you could be transferring germs.
Symptoms usually subside within 24-48 hours. If they persist even after you have removed your lashes, contact your optometrist. They may recommend: a prescription eye drop, ointment or oral anti-histamines.
WHY DO I DEVELOP ALLERGIC REACTION ALL OF THE SUDDEN?
This can also be the case where your body accumulates or getting exposed to Cyanocrylate overtime, it finally "react" to it. In this case, we may need to take the above actions by removing all the lashes. In other case, clients still wish to wear lashes and willing to take the risk. We would need to take a slower approach, one step at a time:
Switch you to sensitive glue. Rinse your lashes after the application to clean any residue of glue vapor. Your lash retention may not be the greatest.
If you are doing better, we can get you back to normal glue and still rinsing your lashes at the end of the application. Your lash retention may not be the greatest but will be better than option #1.
If you are doing better after the above step for a while, we may be able to get you back on track. But your body needs to find time to adjust itself to.
MaiLash & Brows team is committed to providing you best applications with high quality products. In the end of the day, we are here to help you feeling and looking beautiful. An Allergic Reaction is unforeseen and no one would know but yourself, if you have experienced it in the past. Please contact us if you have any questions (480) 707-3399.
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