Allergic reactions to eyelash extensions Update 2.0

Let's talk about allergies vs. sensitivities.

I’ve written on this subject before in the past nearly 5 years ago. However, it’s been awhile and I feel that my post desperately needed an update. Allergies are one of the 5 most searched for terms when it comes to eyelash extensions. 

More than half the time when I meet someone new and they find out I’m an eyelas
h technician, I always get asked questions like:

“Doesn’t eyelash adhesive cause allergies?” 

“I got my eyelashes done awhile back and I’m allergic to the adhesive the girl used on me. Would yours work?”

Let me first say, eye’s are a whole different ball game when it comes to allergies and sensitivities. Some people have no issues, some have sensitivities, irritations, seasonal, and a few of my rare clients unfortunately are either right-off-the-bat-allergic or some clients develop allergic reactions over time. Some are allergic to certain items or adhesives than others. 

So, let’s dive into the differences between sensitivities and allergies first. 

Sensitivities

Reaction:

Most sensitivities end up with clients having red eyes, which usually clear up within the first 12 hours after the appointment if not sooner. The skin/lids may feel slight itchy or uncomfortable, but there’s typically always NO swelling.

Causes:

Sometimes eye sensitivities can be brought on by lots of different things.

        1. Routine

Something before or after the appointment that happened or recently changed in your daily routine (seasonal allergies, dust, pollen, stuck at your neighbors home with a cat you’re deathly allergic too, etc.) Different make up, eyeliner, skincare, etc? Contacts or eye drops?.

        2. The appointment/During the service: 

During the appointment maybe the tech placed tape or the eye gel pad too close to the eye, causing poking or discomfort, In some cases some techs will take a small piece of tape over your brows, which helps drooping skin to get closer lash extension placement to the lid. (I don’t like this technique for a number of reasons, but) This simple action of lifting the lid can actually make it easier for adhesive fumes to contact the yes, jumpstarting an irritation. 

NOTE: If you ever are feeling discomfort, speak up. You should never feel anything during the appointment. The gel pads and tape can feel a bit awkward but never painful.

     

        3. Products:

Could be the gel remover, lash shampoo, cleansers, etc. Check the ingredient listing to see or pinpoint what could make you irritated or allergic. 

        4. Tape, Eyepads: 

The irritation could be the products your technician is using. What are the gelpads made out of? Do they contain latex? Silicone? Or something that could make your eyes and skin sensitive? Tape can be another culprit. Most technicians use a paper tape that is hypo allergenic, but some could still use tape not knowing it has latex. 

        5. Lashes

Could be the lashes themselves. Are they made of mink, silk, etc? Something that is known to be an irritant to the client? Most companies have discontinued mink lashes due to animal testing and cruelty reasons. However, because it’s a real hair follicle, it’s still very sought after being that it’s one of the softest lashes on the market available. However, minks are related to the mustela family. The same family of ferrets and weasels. Just like cats and dogs, people can also be sensitive or allergic to mink! 

        6. Adhesives:

Adhesive fumes could be the problem. The adhesive is not getting in the eye, but it’s the fume. It’s a similar feeling of chopping an onion. Most if not all adhesives have some sort of fume content. Some lower and others are higher. The rule of thumb for technicians is that the lower fume adhesives are better for sensitive clients, however may not have as good of “retention”. Meaning, the lash extensions may not last as long compared to higher fume adhesives. You should never feel the fumes during an appointment. If you do, tell your technician. Feeling that sensation can be a few things. It could be the lids are lifted too high or maybe the gel pad is too thick which lifts the eye, lack of circulation or drying time, and humidity can also play a factor in helping cutting down fumes. Could also be how your eyes lay naturally, if they don’t close all the way, have your technician use the fan often or double up on gelpads to fill the gap. Did the technician recently switch to a different adhesive or product line? What are the differences in ingredient listing? If there is, you could pinpoint a problem with the differences.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

        7. Aftercare

After the appointment, did any lashes continually poke? Cause discomfort that made you continually touch or mess with the eyes? Are you following lash aftercare guidelines? Contact your lash technician. 

Theres many culprits that could cause sensitivities. 

Good news is, there’s many remedies. 

I always recommend cold compresses to the eyes. 

Aloe vera (the gel kind) on the skin which will help  settle any itchiness and inflammation. 

Ask your technician for a lower fume adhesive and  better circulation or drying in between sections. 

Ask for a neaubulizer/ nano mister (these tools help cure the adhesive faster) however she may not need to use this if the humidity is up to the recommended level for that used adhesive. 

And be observant of your routine and the products you are using. Your health in general (if it’s allergy season.) And most importantly, your lash aftercare. 

Allergies.

Reaction:

If you have an allergy to eyelash extension adhesive, unfortunately you’ll know within the first 24 hours after you have a service. 

In my experience, it’s always been that evening or the following morning.

The biggest difference between an allergy vs. a sensitivity is swelling and inflammation. 

The eyes will get inflamed, the lids. Will be inflamed, but mainly the lids and skin will get very puffy and swollen. 

If this happens, Immediately take an allergy pill. Contact your lash technician for a removal. If they can’t get you in for a removal, there’s a few things you can do. 

1)Use any type of oil. Baby oil, Vaseline, olive oil, etc. Leave the oil on the lashes for 5,10,15 minutes at a time. Most eyelash extension adhesives are oil based or at least the bonds will break down with oil present. 

2)Use cold compresses on the yes for the inflammation and swollen skin.

3)Use aloevera on the skin for inflammation and puffiness.

Causes:

Typically, it’s harder to understand what jumpstarted an allergy. Trying to track down the leading cause. 

I’ve had both new clients who have never had lash extensions and clients I’ve been seeing for months or years that will randomly develop an allergic reaction. Unfortunately, either our bodies have always been allergic and we didn’t know it until the service,  or our bodies can develop an allergic reaction over time. Just like allergies to anything else like animals, latex, etc. If you are allergic, you may not be the best candidate for eyelash extensions. In my experience, it always comes down to the adhesive, though there could be other reasons. However, I’ve had some people be able to pinpoint the issues of what caused the allergy. 

        1. Products:                                                                                                           

Sometimes it may not be the adhesives, instead it could be the gel remover, lash shampoo, cleansers, etc. Check the ingredient listing to see or pinpoint what could make you irritated or allergic. Some products can be made with aloe vera, alcohol, etc. 

        2. Tape/ Eyepads:                                                                                                  

The allergy could also be the products your technician is using. What are the gelpads made out of? Do they contain latex? Silicone? Or something that could make your eyes and skin irritated? Tape can be another culprit. Most technicians use a paper tape that is hypo allergenic, but some could still use tape not knowing that it contains latex. 

        3. Lashes:                                                                                                            

Could be the lashes themselves. Are they made of mink, silk, etc? Something that is known to be an irritant to the client? Most companies have discontinued mink lashes due to animal testing and cruelty reasons. However, because it’s a real hair follicle, it’s still very sought after being that it’s one of the softest lashes on the market available. However, minks are related to the “mustela” family. The same family related to ferrets and weasels. Just like cats and dogs, people can also be sensitive or allergic to mink or silk. Make sure to talk to your technician.

       

        4. Adhesives:                                                                                                     

Adhesive are typically the biggest culprit unfortunately. Not like sensitivities where the fumes could be the problem, it’s the actual ingredients that are the issue. Doesn’t matter how low or hight the fume content is or how sensitive the adhesive is. Most eyelash extension adhesives main ingredient is some form of “cyanoacrylate.” They may have some sister ingredients that people could also be allergic to such as “polymethyl methacrylate.” Some people who develop reactions over time, in a rare case it could be a specific ingredient or a recently changes adhesive. What are the differences in ingredient listing? If there is, you could pinpoint a problem with the differences and go back to the old adhesive that your tech is using. In some rare cases that I have had, I have a few clients who are allergic to one adhesive that I carry and not allergic to another. I have one client who takes an allergy pill before the appointment ahead of time and has no issues. I realize these are very rare cases. 

Testing: 

I realize that it’s hard to test, if not nearly impossible to test for eyelash extension allergies beforehand compared to services like hair color or skin services. 

For cosmetologists, to test a client for an allergic reaction to hair color they recommend “patch testing”. Patch testing is a small amount of the color mixed that is applied either behind the ear or on the inside of the inner elbow. If you don’t have an allergy within the first 24 hours it’s safe to apply. If not, there are other forms of hair color alternatives. 

Unfortunately for the eyes, it’s a whole other ball game.

Patch testing for adhesives don’t work, partially because we don’t apply the adhesive to the skin, but the lashes themselves. Thought they are a porous surface, we never make contact with the skin. The eyes are also a mucous membrane and they can react entire different. 

So, my recommendation if someone realllllllllly wants to try out an adhesive or if they are wary of an allergy, try a free consultation and only apply about 10-15 lashes per eye.

        1. Lash Test / "Mini Lash Trial"

Obviously 10-15 lashes is not enough to have a full appearance or service. However this is enough product to see how the person will react and/or observe if there’s a reaction. If there is a reaction, it typically won’t be as bad as a full set, but enough to see if there will still be an allergy. Typically the reaction will always take place in the first 24 hours. (In my experience it’s always later in the evening if not first thing the next morning.) 

        2. Make the testing free

Make the testing free: 10-15 lashes aren’t that costly. And it saves both you time and money and your client time, money, and heartache if they have a reaction. 

        3. Allergy Pill:

If someone want’s extra insurance to lessen an allergic reaction, recommend your client taking an allergy pill at least 1 hour before the appointment. 

Until more alternative comes along, these are the best pieces of advice I can offer. 

Good luck!

Have any questions or comments? Leave me a comment

and follow me on IG! 

Holly @SuiteLashbyHolly

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