Can eyelash extensions damage your natural lashes?

(P.s. I apologize for any grammar or spelling errors, will fix ASAP.)
Updated March 2nd, 2021

I get asked this question A LOT. When I am at social gatherings or meeting new people and get asked, "what do you do for a living?" People seem interested but also skittish, when I tell them that I am a eyelash extension technician. Which women in particular have a laundry list of questions for me, which I am glad to answer, but annoyed that this information is misconception to the consumers.

In my first post,"great work ain't cheap, cheap work ain't great." I explain about licensing, products, pricing, and location differences, between local lash boutiques in California. If you have not read that article, go read it :), before continuing here.

If you have read that post, than you know about the licensing, certification, etc.

Eyelash extensions are not damaging. Period.

When properly applied, eyelash extensions are applied one by one. Each eyelash extension is applied to one eye lash, given proper drying time, and they will act as your own lash.  Once completed, your lashes will act as your own with the same flexibility, and can last anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. With time and daily wear and tear, your lash extensions will grow and fall out. This is your natural lash cycle. Your lash cycle will normally lose 1-5 lashes a day. This can depend if you hair or cycle grows faster, if you take vitamins, medications, etc. The faster your hair grows, the faster your lash cycle could be growing too. If you take vitamins such as biotin or if you are pregnant and taking prenatal's, this can speed up the process for your keratin production: or hair and nails cycles. This can cause your lash cycle to go faster. Again, the faster your cycle, the less time your lashes will last. However, everyone is different, and every body reacts differently. The human body is a mystery, and each person may find that this does not qualify to them.

No one really notices lashes falling out, until you have lash extensions. With an extension on a natural lash, it's a bit more noticeable. It makes sense. You have thicker, darker, longer and curlier lashes on, so you'll notice. If you notice a lash extensions attached to your natural lash, DONT panic. Unless you plucked, picked, or snagged the lash, its your natural lash cycle. Your natural lashes will fall or cycle out, meaning a new lash is growing in. While making its way to grow in place of the old lash, the old lash falls off. If you see a extension, but no natural lash attached, than the bond became loose and slipped off. :) Again, no damage has occurred.

Anytime a client sees lashes with 2 or multiple extensions on, that's what techs refer to as volume and volume fans. This is to help create either a thicker, fuller appearance that one desires, or to help conceal bald spots. Don't freak out, it's not two or multiple natural lashes stuck together, it only the extensions.


Here are the ONLY ways lashes and your lash cycle could be damaged.

Wrong. SO wrong. See that a second lash is crossing over?

If you see lashes stuck together, two extensions or one connected to two natural lashes, than this could be a problem. This is found a lot more frequently with tech who are unlicensed, uncertified, improperly trained, clusters, etc. When you see two natural lashes stuck to 1 or more lash extensions, 3 things could have happened, the tech didn't see the lash sneak in, there wasn't enough time for the adhesive to solidify  and/or improper lash isolation technique. A vision or lighting problem could have occurred, yet the tech ignored it. The tech used the wrong lash products such as clusters (found at the drugstore). Or clients used oil based products or followed poor aftercare instructions. 

OIL. Clients who use oil based products can cause damage to your extensions, which can then cause issues to your natural lashes cycle. This is why techs stress to discontinue any use of oil based products, or follow our tips and tricks on what to use or how to avoid the eye area or lashes. If oil based products are used, you are jeopardizing the lash extension bond. The lash extension medical grade adhesives are oil based, which oil and oil mix together, causing lash extensions bonds to break down. This can than lead to lash extensions loosening and re-adhering to neighbor lashes. Causing clumps, tangles, and a messing. Oil could also cause extensions to fall out at a faster rate, bonds deteriorated, or to loosen. 
This can also be caused by hot water, steam, or water in the first 24-48 hours.
The oil based products can make lashes stuck together, or more, which could lead to potential damage or balding if not addressed properly.
Another problem, if clients are constantly touching your lashes, STOP. Your fingers have oils on them too. Beware, and stop touching.

Excessive touching, plucking, pulling, tugging, snagging, etc. can be many more reasons that your lashes could be heading down a path of damage, pre mature shedding or balding. Again, stop it! (Or you're grounded! ) hehe

If your tech is using inadequate products, this can also be an issues. The wrong tape, adhesives, removers, lashes, can be a problem. make sure to ask your tech what they use and to make sure the product line is credible, medical grad and made in the USA, Canada, etc. Reputable is the key. 

Also, make sure your tech has a FULL client consultation with you. We want to make you happy, but we also face reality. You may want the biggest, longest, drag-queen-level lashes, but your natural lashes (or lash base) may not be able to handle it certain weights or lengths. If your natural lashes are tiny, stout, short, thin etc. you may have to settle for another variation of lashes, or a plan B. The heavier or longer the lashes the less they will last. Similar to nails, the shorter your natural nails are, and the longer the fake nails you want, won't last as long, compared to someone who has long natural nails. If your natural lashes are thin, make sure your tech is not putting a heavy lash/lashes on you. I see wayyyyyyy too many lash boutiques/techs putting .20's and .25's on clients who have too short and thin of a natural base. Heavy lashes applied to thin lashes, can not hold the weight, which can cause lashes to not hold as long.
Both length and weight/width matter! If ignored both can cause damage, premature balding, and balding of lashes.

THIS is one of the MAIN causes.
You want to keep the integrity of your natural lashes!
Most of the local lash boutiques in my area, and a universal size for classic, use .20's. The description of this lash is "average," however since it's bigger, it creates fullness. This is mainly easier for lash techs, because we don't have to apply an extensions to each natural lash. The illusion of fullness it crates, no client will notice. Unless your lashes can handle it, ask your tech. 

Lastly if you have a lash tech who is inexperienced, unlicensed, uncertified, etc, than this could be a different situation. If a tech is not properly licensed, certified, or trained in eyelash extensions
techniques or general education, you are risking damage, health and safety, and sanitation.

Again, these are your EYES. Don't risk it.

Unless those reasons are credible to you or your tech, than

NO, eyelash extensions are NOT damaging, nor damaging your natural lashes.

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