EYELASH EXTENSIONS PROBABLY DON’T DAMAGE YOUR NATURAL LASHES
As with many cosmetic services, the reality is that there’s very little research on how eyelash extensions impact your natural lashes. Extensions and lash adhesives have been thoroughly tested for safety and irritation, but something like lash loss is a cosmetic concern that just hasn’t been examined.
It’s very normal for the lashes to seem a little sparse after you’ve removed your extensions. Often, that’s just the shock of going from a full set of extensions back to your natural lashes. However, some professionals theorize that the weight and pressure on the lash follicle can lead to some lash loss.
Even so, if your lashes are applied correctly and you practice good lash extension aftercare, your natural lashes will probably be fine, at least in the long term.
WHAT IS THE NATURAL LASH CYCLE?
To understand why it can seem like your lash extensions damage your lashes, even if they don’t, it’s important to know about the lash growth cycle. Our lashes, like all of the hair on our body, go through a cycle of growing and shedding.
The cycle has three main phases:
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- Anagen: The phase of active growth.
- Catagen: The phase when growth slows down.
- Telogen: The resting phase when the lash eventually falls out.
This cycle, from beginning to end, takes about 4 to 11 months. However, our lashes don’t go through these phases all at once, which is why it’s normal and natural to lose around 1 to 5 lashes per day. Even if you’ve lost a few lashes at once, let the lash growth cycle reassure you – your lashes will grow back.
DO YOU LOSE MORE EYELASHES WITH EXTENSIONS?
When you get extensions done, lash loss can suddenly seem pretty extreme, but that doesn’t mean that you’re losing more lashes.
When a small lash falls out naturally (as we said – up to 5 lashes per day is totally normal) it’s easy to miss. When an eyelash with an extension attached to it falls out, you’re more likely to notice. It’s suddenly much larger, not to mention that it represents a big expense.
Assuming your aftercare has been great and your lash technician is highly skilled, you likely aren’t losing more lashes with extensions – it just seems like it.