Eyelash Extensions Gone Wrong: Top 6 Risks of Eyelash Extensions

Looking for fuller and fluttery eyelashes, retiree Sherie Johnson took a trip to Vicky Nail Spa to get eyelash extensions. While Johnson left with length and lift, she left with something else she hadn’t anticipated: vision loss.

Johnson had blurry vision in one of her eyes. That blurry vision lasted about two weeks. The cause of her eyelash extensions gone wrong? Vicky Nail Spa had used a glue that wasn’t made to be used on someone’s eyelids. Vicky’s paid for their mistake, settling with Johnson for $9,000 in arbitration, reported Law.com.

Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent synthetic fibers meant to enhance people’s natural lashes, explains Lindy Segal in her article for Harper’s Bazaar. Beauty technicians (like you!) apply extensions one by one, strand by strand directly to clients’ natural lashes with specialty glue. Through this tedious (read: 1-2-hour) process, cosmetologists and estheticians give their clients lusher, denser lashes than they can achieve otherwise.

The tedious process pays off. Depending on your location, experience, and products, you can charge anywhere from $100 to $600 for eyelash extensions. And clients need new extensions about every six weeks. Clients may even opt for “refills” every two weeks to fill in sparse areas and keep them looking fresh, writes Segal in the aforementioned article.

But, as Ben Parker would say, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Sure, eyelash extensions can leave clients looking totally fierce. But eyelash extension horror stories leave unhappy, unhealthy clients  feeling totally frustrated—with you.

Here are 6 common eyelash extension problems to beware:

1. General Discomfort and Irritation

After application, eyelash extensions shouldn’t be irritating. Discomfort could be a sign of bad lash extensions. . Lashes can get stuck together. They can adhere to the client’s skin. The product could be too long or heavy for the client. The extensions could even poke their eyes when they blink. 

Avoid eyelash extension problems like these by spacing lashes properly, choosing the right length and weight, and isolating each lash properly, suggests eslashes on their blog.

2. Allergic Reactions

Another big risk of eyelash extensions: allergic reactions.

Clients can be sensitive to the ingredients in your lash adhesives and products. Allergies manifest as red, swollen, or watery eyes. Clients might also experience burning, itching, or discomfort if eyelash extension glue or other topicals get in the eye.

According to The Wax Boutique, allergies to adhesive ingredients, like carbon black or another cyanoacrylate, are extremely rare. But if you do suspect a reaction, don’t wait to become another “eyelash extensions gone wrong” story. You might recommend removing the lash extensions completely and use a cold compress for soothing.

3. Eyelash Extension Infections

If you use unclean products during application, or if your client doesn’t properly care for their lashes after, clients can contract bacterial infections. Examples of bacterial infections from eyelash extensions often include styes (painful red bumps at the edge of eyelids) and blepharitis,(eyelash follicle inflammation). Lack of cleanliness can also lead to viral infections like conjunctivitis or pink eye, which YouTuber Alexandra Irene contracted from her eyelash extensions gone wrong. Clients can even get demodex, or eyelash extension mites

To prevent infections from dirty eyelash extensions  on your end, keep your tools and station sanitized at all times. Additionally, don’t knowingly do lash extensions on any client who’s showing signs of infection, writes The Lash Professional.

4. Damage to Natural Lashes

While proper application shouldn’t damage natural lashes, improper application can. 

Overly thick or long false lashes can cause stress to the natural lash, writes Untamed Artistry in this blog post. Extensions attached to more than one natural lash can lead to tugging and pulling of the natural lashes and traction alopecia, or the thinning or loss of eyelashes. You can avoid this damage by properly isolating each natural lash and applying the right length and weight of lashes.

5. Trauma to the Eye

Scratches to the cornea, damage to the eye’s glands, and other accidental trauma to the eyes and lids are serious risks of eyelash extensions, warned Dr. Ashley Brissette in an article for the Today Show. Using the wrong glue, as Vicky Nail Spa did at the beginning of our article, can also lead to eye trauma. This may lead to lost eyesight or blurry vision after lash extensions.

To avoid causing accidental trauma to your clients’ eyes, properly tape down the lids and use the appropriate tools and glue.

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If a client ever accuses you of causing an “eyelash extensions gone wrong” scenario, our general liability insurance is here to protect you. Click here to learn how we can safeguard you and your business. Or click here to apply for a free quote.