Potential problems
Hypersensitivity or contact dermatitis, caused by an allergic reaction to the lashes themselves or the adhesive used to secure the extensions in place, is a possibility. (The solvents used to remove the extensions or the under-eye gel patches or tape used to cover the lower lashes can also cause problems.) This can lead to irritation in the form of redness, itching or burning. I've even seen people who experience so much swelling they can't open their eyes afterwards, says Ilyse Haberman, M.D., a New York Citybased ophthalmologist affiliated with NYU Langone Hospitals. If you experience burning or tear up during the application, speak up.
Another danger: If the individual extensions are too heavy, they put weight on your natural lashes, causing them to break or even fall out. The College of Optometrists in London has warned that repeated use of eyelash extensions can cause traction alopecia, a condition where the hair falls out due to excessive tension placed on the hair shaft. As a result, this can damage the hair follicle, which can slow down and even cease production of hair.
These bald spots are more than just unsightly. One of the functions of your lashes is to protect your eyes by helping to sweep debris away from your eyes, Thau explains. If you lose enough lashes and they sometimes don't grow back you're setting yourself up for eye problems down the road."
And then there are the problems that can pop up post-procedure. Women who want those pricey extensions to remain in place for as long as possible may slack off when it comes to hygiene. This encourages debris to accumulate in the lashes and oil glands that line the eyelid margins, potentially causing blepharitis (an inflammation of the eyelid and lash line) and styes (from a bacterial infection in the oil glands). What's more, you're at higher risk of getting eye mites at the base of the lash line because they're attracted to the bacteria and dead skin that's not being sloughed off, says Arian Fartash, an optometrist and the owner of Corona Vision Center in Southern California.
Practice good hygiene.Keep lashes and lid margins clean by washing them every night before bed. Oil-based products will break down the adhesive bond, causing lashes to shed prematurely, warns Fartash, who instead recommends We Love Eyes, a foaming oil-free cleanser, to patients. Another option, Fartash says, is hypochlorous eyelid cleansing spray. A lash sealant can also help, Richardson adds. Like a nail polish top coat, it creates a protective barrier around the adhesive, locking it in place and protecting it from dirt, oil and makeup."
Do your research.Find a reputable salon and stylist. Most states, though not all, require a license. Ask the stylist how many procedures she has done. Check online reviews to see what people are saying about their work, and look at before and after photographs on their website, advises Fartash, who has heard her fair share of horror stories from patients who haven't done their due diligence. There are people who go to nail salons to get extensions and end up with lashes glued under their eyelids, which scratch their eyes every time they blink.
Be sure the salon is sanitary.Employees should wash their hands and sterilize tools between customers.
Request a patch test.If having extensions applied for the first time, ask your stylist to do a patch test on your wrist, to be sure you're not allergic to the glue, Haberman suggests. But remember, even if you don't have a reaction in the salon, it is possible to have one for up to three days afterward.
Latisse:A prescription eyelash-growth treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration, Latisse is swiped along the upper lash line, using a nail-brush-style applicator. One drop, before bed, is all you need for both eyes. (Since your eye should be closed during application, the solution will spread to the lower lash line.) It takes about three months to see full results. The only way to sustain the look is to keep using the stuff once you stop, lashes return to their original appearance.
Note of caution:If applied properly, Latisse is generally safe, though a small percentage of users may experience irritation or dry eye. Also, those who use drops to treat glaucoma should get the green light from their eye doctor before trying Latisse. And the serum may cause darkening of the eyelids, along the lash line, where the product is applied, which usually goes away once you stop using the product, says Vivian Shibayama, an optometrist at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute. The most-dreaded complication: an increased and permanent darkening of the iris though this kind of discoloration is rare. If you do develop problems, stop using the product and call your doctor.
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How to Safely Get the Long Eyelashes You Want - AARP
