Allergic Reaction to Lash Extensions

Allergic reactions to lash extensions can vary in severity and onset, with some reactions occurring immediately after application, while others develop over time. Here’s a breakdown of the symptoms for both types of reactions:

1. Immediate Allergic Reactions

These reactions occur within minutes to hours after lash extension application and are typically due to a sensitivity to the adhesive, or preparation products used. Symptoms include:

Redness and Swelling: The eyelid and surrounding area may become red and swollen. This swelling can be significant and affect one or both eyes.
Itching: An intense itch around the lash line, eyelids, or even the entire eye area is common.
Burning Sensation: Clients might feel a burning or stinging sensation in the eyes, especially when they blink.
Watery Eyes: Excessive tearing can occur as the eyes try to flush out the irritant.
Pain: Some clients may experience a sharp or throbbing pain around the eyes.

2. Developed Allergic Reactions Over Time

In some cases, allergic reactions develop gradually after multiple exposures to the lash extension products. This is due to a cumulative sensitivity to the ingredients, often the cyanoacrylate, dye, or alcohols in the products. Symptoms include:

Gradual Swelling: Swelling might start mildly but increases over several days or weeks of exposure to the extensions.
Persistent Redness: The eye area may become chronically red, with clients often describing it as “bloodshot” eyes.
Dryness and Irritation: The eyes might feel dry and irritated, with clients reporting discomfort even when no lashes are being applied.
Crustiness and Discharge: Some clients may develop crustiness around the lash line, and there might be a clear or yellowish discharge.
Contact Dermatitis: In some cases, the skin around the eyes might develop a rash or become scaly and flaky, swollen, or red.

What to Do

Immediate Reactions: If a client or you experience(s) an immediate allergic reaction, it’s crucial to remove the extensions right away and recommend they seek medical attention. Over-the-counter antihistamines or eye drops may help, but a healthcare professional should be consulted for proper treatment.
Developed Reactions: For clients who develop symptoms over time, advise them to stop wearing extensions and see a dermatologist or allergist. Patch testing for the adhesive’s ingredients might be necessary to identify the specific allergen. Remove lashes gently after the reaction has occurred.

In all cases, it’s essential to use high-quality, hypoallergenic adhesives and to conduct a patch test for new clients who may react to reduce the risk of allergic reactions.

Steps to remove the lashes at home

1. Wet your lash extensions with warm/hot water

This is a commonly made mistake that usually will decrease lash retention. Try taking a nice long hot steam shower! 😘 Relaxing and effective for helping to loosen those bonds.

Here’s how to use a washcloth/makeup remover towel or sponge to help remove your lashes:

Simply wet your washcloth or makeup remover sponge with warm/hot water
Ring out the washcloth or squeeze out some of the excess warm/hot water from your Siroki Sponge if you have our makeup remover this works well at holding onto alot of water.
Wet your lashes
Apply oils to the lash line
Hold the cloth with warm/hot water on the eye area after applying the oils
Rinse the towel/sponge out thoroughly
Repeat

Voila! You have successfully loosened the bonds

We also recommend this technique if you use the DIY Lash Extensions

2. Go get A Facial, Use Oil Based Products, and Glycol

Facials, and Spray tans after your lash extension appointment are a no-no right after your lashes have been applied At Siroki Lash. We recommend this because you want the lashes you invest in to have time to cure and both of these services can contain glycol or oils.

So if you need to remove them these are some simple self-care things to do that will surely help you remove lashes

Oil-based products will act as a remover for the adhesive on the eyelash extensions & will cause your extensions to fall out sooner than expected with some lash glues. Basically, the semi-permanent glue is fighting to keep the extension attached properly to your natural lash, while the oil is working at dissolving it. The main ingredient in lash extension adhesives is cyanoacrylate – a quick-drying acrylic resin that’s in most superglues.

3. Oils found in your kitchen that will help remove your lashes

Mineral oi
Vegetable oil
Coconut oil
Canola oil.

These oils have been shown to weaken extension adhesives.

Many other oils, however, like those contained in lash serums such as;

Coleus Forskohlii Root Oil
Castor Seed Oil
Sweet Almond Oil

Are completely safe for use with lash extensions. The use of oils with lash extensions is controversial so listen to your lash artist and their instructions when it comes to oils.

Basically, if they told you to avoid oil and you need them taken off use it.

Remember to try to remove the lashes without pulling and stressing the eye area. ALWAYS A DON’T! This WILL DAMAGE YOUR LASHES!

3. SaltWater

Strange, I know, living in Jacksonville, Florida, The reason salt water is an effective lash remover is that salt molecules are tiny and they situate themselves in your lashes the molecules can get in between your natural lash and the extension while the water is wet and as the water evaporates the salt remains and expands. They essentially pop the extensions right off.

Try going to the beach, crying, saline solution, sweating, or frequent saltwater pools. Of course, do not get the salt water in your eyes we don’t want you hurting yourself.

4. Pick/Pull Your Lashes, Or Rub Your Eyes…

You will be tempted to pull them off! Don’t! Rubbing the eye area can cause increased irritation, lash pulling, lash twisting (which is extremely painful,) and can cause scratching of the eye area. This can rip lashes out of your eyes … also more painful than it is worth. You will be bald on the lash-line Trust me!

Remember that little thing we mentioned before about oils? Well, our bodies naturally produce and pick up oils and you can and WILL transfer oil directly to your extensions if you touch them.

But we get it, you are tired, and stressed, want them off, and it can happen!

After this occurs lash technicians are powerless to help you- other than recommending a lash growth serum

5. Subject Yourself To High Levels Of Heat And Moisture

Alone, & especially together, this heat and moisture combo can break down cyanoacrylate when applied in large enough/intense enough quantities. So that means your lash extensions are SUPER likely to fall out much faster! So, steam facials, hot towel facials, hot yoga, saunas, or hot tubs, especially shortly after your lash extension application.

Recommendations:

Shampoo your lashes with gentle soap thoroughly after, and apply warm cloth for eye relief!
Find an effective lash serum- Why? Lash serums actually help with growth and recovery.
Get OPHTHALMOLOGIST APPROVED allergy relief eyedrops!

Recovery:

Best Lash Serums for Your Lashes

Lash Serums increase natural lash retention by strengthening the lashes & conditioning them. This way, they are able to grow longer and stronger. Still, it is important to always check the ingredients on these products. Not all lash serums are created equal! We recommend Grande Lash MD Serum, it is our ride-or-die serum at Siroki Lash Studio here in Jacksonville, FL.

Best Eye Drops for Your Eyes

After years of fighting allergic reactions myself. Dealing with the discomfort ended with me getting a recommendation from an Ophthalmologist for these eye drops that I ordered off of Amazon! The best part? I didn’t even have to go out in public! They are so helpful, I hope they help you too! Pataday Once Daily Relief Extra Strength Relief 2.5ml

You still want lashes but now you’re at a loss because you had a reaction?

We told you you came to the right place. Unfortunately no one wants to deal with an allergic reaction to Lash Extensions. The Founder of Siroki Lash had multiple bad lash allergy experiences and it lead her to create her own hypoallergenic solution to having beautiful seamless lashes without having to go to a lash artist and without the use of common allergens when getting lash extensions. So all of the guesswork is gone!

Check out our blog here on the

Siroki Lash DIY Kits to learn more!