Eyelash extensions are a great way to get glamorous looks and it makes you look fantastic. Having lash extensions your face may look attractive without demanding extra attention and lash extensions are convenient and simplify your beauty routine. But how to clean eyelash extensions at home.
Some people think that keeping their eyelash extensions away from water may last longer, but if you avoid cleaning them, your eyelash extensions will fall off prematurely. However, of course you should avoid water for the first 24 hours or as per last technician’s instructions, but this doesn’t mean don’t clean them forever!
Having clean lash extensions will last longer and importantly prevent your eye health issues. However, it has many advantages, but eyelash extensions aren’t easy to clean.
However, Improper cleaning or avoiding cleaning will cause problems resulting in your lash extensions not lasting longer, and not cleaning regularly or properly can also lead to potential infections, irritations and poor lash growth and health.
In this article, we will explore how to clean eyelash extensions at home, when you should clean and why you should clean lash extensions.
When Should You Clean Eyelash Extensions?
If you have oily skin or eyelids and you’re an eye makeup wearer, then you should clean your eyelash extensions daily. Clean your eyelash extensions at least every day or every other day. If you don’t have any such issues, then you can clean your lashes two or three times a week.
We recommend cleaning your eyelash extensions at night to remove the day’s dust, dirt, facial oils and makeup. Also, remember whenever you engage in any kind of physical activities like gym sessions or swimming, you should clean your eyelash extensions afterward.
You should keep water away from the eyes area within 48 hours of their applications, and these lash extensions cure and become waterproof over time.
Also, substances like salt, oil, oily sunscreen, sweat and chlorine will damage the glue that holds your natural lashes and extensions together. So, you should remove immediately from lash extensions to maintain your lashes adhesive.
How to Clean Eyelash Extensions at Home
Here is a step-by-step guide to clean eyelash extensions at home, you can follow the instructions below and watch this quick video and clean your eyelashes at home.
Select right Cleanser
Look for a Cleanser that is free of oil and alcohol. The Cleanser is specially formulated for cleaning eyelash extensions and removing the eye makeup. Extra oil can break down the adhesive on your eyelash extensions.
Do not use cleaners that contain the oil or glycerin, these components can weaken your eyelash extension adhesive. Oil free makeup remover, gentle Cleansers, Lash shampoo, gentle face soap, Micellar water or distilled water are the other options.
Wash your Lashes
First you need to Wet your lashes with water and apply some cleanser on your fingers and gently massage your eyelids and lashes with up and down movements.
Avoid using side-to-side motions or tug to your lashes, so you do not lose lash extensions or natural eyelashes. Gently rinse it off with water and use a lint-free towel to dry your lashes.
Dry your Lashes Naturally
After washing your eyelash extensions, gently pat the lashes dry with a towel. But avoid your eyes to protect your eyelash extensions and allow your lashes to air dry. You can gently blot your lashes with some toilet paper around your finger to speed up the drying process.
How to Maintain your Eyelash Extensions
Clean Your Eyelash Extensions regularly: Wash your eyelash extensions at least a few times a week, if not every day.
Keep Your Lashes oil-free: Avoid the rich products like shampoos, conditioners, glycerin or oil and heavy creams near your lashes or lash line to protect the integrity of the adhesive.
Do not rub your Lashes: Avoid rubbing, tugging, or pulling at your lashes. If you do not care, this will loosen them and look clumpy and additionally, it can remove your natural lashes.
Use Eye Makeup Carefully: Avoid using the cream eyeshadows and use powdered eyeshadow as you normally use and focusing application at the very corners of your eyes. Most importantly, avoid using mascara with lash extensions because it will damage your extensions and look crusty.
Avoid Cotton Pads or wipes: Do not use cotton pads and wipes to clean your lashes. Because they get stuck in with the fibers and you will need to remove them gently. Also avoid using cleaning wipes as well because they may cause your extensions to loosen or rip out.
Eyelashes Cleaning Do’s
- Cleaning eyelash extensions at least 2 to 3 times a week, or every night is very important and if you’re oily or a regular makeup wearer then you should clean your lash extensions every day or every other day.
- Mineral-based products are best for maintaining eyelash extensions, because they are the perfect alternative for oil formations.
- Use a specific eyelash extension foaming cleanser to maintain eye and lashes health. And wipe off any unsafe lash extension with cleanser before washing your lashes with water.
- Instead of using cotton buds, use a tissue to remove makeover.
- The best time to cleanse eyelash extensions is at night before going to sleep, you may eliminate all the day’s dirt, makeup, dust and debris.
- Avoid using products that contain oil, these include oily cleanser, moisturizer, coconut oil, eyes creams, and more.
- Water doesn’t damage your eyelash extensions, so learning how to clean eyelash extensions at home is very important, because water also causes some issues if you wet your lash extensions within 48 hours of the application being done.
Eyelashes Cleaning Don’ts
- Do not use glycerin and oil products while cleaning your lashes, because these products may break down the lash glue and cause the detachment of eyelashes. Also, they cause your lashes to fall off prematurely and won’t last longer. Oil products can be in the form of eye cream, shampoo, spray toners, moisturizer and more.
- Avoid wearing waterproof mascara or eyeliner, because these two make cleaning lashes more difficult.
- Do not use cleansing water like micellar. These products weaken and remove lash extensions.
- Do not use cotton buds, face cloths, makeup pads, sponges, and other items near to your lash extensions. These materials may rip the extensions out, damage and premature lash loss.
- Do not wash your lashes using streaming water from the forehead, because this stream of water comes at high pressure and may ruin your eyelash extensions.
- Avoid vigorous cleaning of your lashes, they may fall out if you rub them with pressure. Clean your lash extensions with light fingertip pressure only or use a cleaning brush for gently rubbing.
Why You Should Clean Lash Extensions
It is very important to clean your eyelash extensions, because they may protect your eyes from dust, dirt, pollen, and other debris. During the installation, the technicians fix the lash extensions a few (1-2mm) millimetres from the lash line.
Once you apply lash extensions, you will notice a small gap between the lash extensions and lash line. Over time, the dust, dirt and dead skin will accumulate in this gap. So, cleaning your lashes at least 2 to 3 times a week can remove and prevent the accumulation of dirt or dust in the lash line.
Also, cleaning lashes can prevent oil from wreaking havoc on your lash extensions. If you have oily skin or you may use oily products, this oil may slip to the extensions and cause slowly lash extensions to last early. So, frequently cleaning this oil from your face can make your lashes last longer.
What Happens if You Don’t Clean Lash Extensions?
If you don’t clean your eyelash extensions may cause itchiness and inflammation in the eyelids. You will rub on your lashes all day long to reduce the pain of the itchy feeling, but in the end, the lash extensions might drop off and your eyelids might be painful.
Extremely dirty lash extensions cause blepharitis. This is one of the common eye disorders that is related to eyelash extensions. Blepharitis is an infection that causes inflammation in the eyelids.
Blepharitis is usually associated with an overgrowth of bacteria that live along the base of the eyelash extensions. When bacteria overgrowth, they create a structure called biofilm on the eyelids. The bacteria biofilm attracts parasitic mites’ knowns as demodex and these mites feed on bacteria and dead skin.
When they overgrow, they may cause redness, itchy skin, and painful eyelids inflammation. Bacteria in the biofilm also release endotoxins, and these compounds infect the inflamed eyelids and cause further inflammation.
This infection can cause a lot of itchiness and you might be unable to use lash extensions for some time. So, here are some of the symptoms that indicates blepharitis:
- Red Eyes
- White flakes at the base of the eyelashes
- Burning sensation in the eyelashes and stinging eyes
- Eye dryness
- Irritated and watery eyes
- Gritty feeling in the eyes
- Itchy eyelids
Most of the blepharitis symptoms are more visible in the morning when you wake up, so check your eyes as soon as you wake up. Remember, blepharitis will disappear when you start taking proper care or adopting proper cleaning regimen.
Note: always talk with a doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms or you think that you have this infection.
FAQ’s on How to Clean Eyelash Extensions
Do I Need to Clean My lashes Daily?
The short answer is Yes, it is important for you to clean, nourish and protect our eyelashes every day. There are many cleansers designed to clean the lashes, also they may cleanse off all debris, remove makeup, and kill all bacteria without drying out the skin.
Can I Use Baby Shampoo for Cleaning Lash Extensions?
The short answer is NO, you cannot use baby shampoo to clean your lash extensions, because baby shampoo is not specifically designed to clean the eye area and using this kind of products will harm your fragile skin around the eye, and remove all the natural oil that is needed for healthy skin and hair.
Baby shampoo is also harsh on your eye skin, because of this it has artificial oils and colors that also break the integrity of the adhesive.
Can I Wear Mascara with Lash Extensions?
Can I wear mascara with eyelash extensions is one of the most searchable questions on the internet? The short answer is if you want to preserve the integrity of lashes you should stop wearing mascara with eyelash extensions, because it can build up on your eyes and make it difficult to remove without damaging your lash extensions.
Should you brush your lashes when they are wet?
You should not brush your lashes when they are wet. Instead, wait until they completely dry before brushing them or gently pat them with a clean towel.
Can I wash my eyelash extensions after 24 hours?
Yes, waiting 24 hours after your appointment in the general room. However, the majority of lash artists will now use a method to cure your eyelash extensions. If that’s the case, you can start washing your lashes much sooner, as soon as 4 hours.
How to clean eyelash extensions in shower?
You can clean eyelash extensions in the shower. Avoid strong water pressure aimed directly at your natural eyelashes.
Conclusion
Getting eyelash extensions is not an easy task and cleaning them regularly is also another challenge that you need to face. Learning how to clean eyelash extensions at home is very important for keeping lashes healthy and making them last longer.
Having eyelash extensions enhance your look, but if you don’t clean your lashes properly, you may face some kind of eye health issues. So, make sure to clean your eyelashes every day or every other day.
Hopefully, you like this information, if you have any questions and suggestions on this article kindly put them in the comment box below.