A Guide To Eyelash Extensions Aftercare: Summer Edition

Summer Lash Extension Aftercare: 10 Tips for Your Clients

Summer is fast approaching — in fact, you may already be feeling the warm rays of sunshine! Whether your clients are heading to the beach or enjoying warmer days at home, good summer lash aftercare means gentle daily cleansing, taking care when swimming and showering, and keeping sunscreen and sweat from building up around the lash line.

For Lash Technicians, reality can come crashing down when extensions aren’t sticking and your lash glue is curing before you’ve even placed the extension onto the natural lash. Panic strikes, you check your hygrometer and thermometer, and realize that it’s too hot and humid for your adhesive’s recommended working range!

Not only should you be monitoring your lash space and ensuring it’s at the optimal conditions for your lash glue, but you should also be discussing effective aftercare with your clients. You’ve done your job — fabulously, we might add — but now it's their turn.

Top 10 Summer Lash Aftercare Tips

If you’re facing high humidity and temperatures, or your client is jetting off to a sunny location, these are ten top tips you can share to help them keep their lashes looking their best.

Incredible eyelash extension infill by @Loredana

1. Follow Your Technician’s Advice on Getting Lashes Wet

How soon your client can get their eyelash extensions wet depends on the adhesive and finishing products used. Rather than giving everyone a blanket 24-hour rule, explain the aftercare instructions for their specific treatment before they leave the salon.

If you finish the treatment with Superbonder, follow its current application and drying instructions and explain how this affects their aftercare. This is especially useful for clients planning to swim or shower after their appointment. Clients shouldn’t apply professional finishing products themselves.

2. Take Care with Hot Baths, Showers and Steam

Your clients don’t need to avoid normal washing throughout their summer vacation! Once the recommended waiting period for their treatment has passed, suggest a comfortably warm shower or bath rather than prolonged exposure to very hot water and steam.

Keep the bathroom well-ventilated, avoid directing a strong shower jet at the lashes, and don’t rub them with a towel afterward. For steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs, follow the adhesive manufacturer’s aftercare guidance rather than applying one fixed waiting period to every treatment.

3. Avoid Pulling or Rubbing Your Lashes

This goes without saying — don't pull your lashes! If your client wants the appearance of a full set of lash extensions, rubbing, picking and pulling at them is not the way to go. Pulling can also remove or damage their natural lashes. If an extension feels uncomfortable or is catching, ask them to contact you rather than trying to remove it themselves.

4. Brush Lashes Daily with a Clean Spoolie

Your client can keep their lashes looking full and fluffy by brushing them gently with a clean mascara wand or spoolie. After cleansing, allow the lashes to dry before gently brushing them into their desired shape. Avoid tugging at the roots or forcing the brush through a tangle.

Brushing helps separate and shape the extensions, but it doesn’t replace cleansing to remove makeup, sweat and dirt. Pop a lash wand into your client’s aftercare package — it will encourage them to look after their lashes!

5. Ditch the Mascara

It is unlikely that your client will feel inclined to wear mascara after getting eyelash extensions, but just in case, explain the drawbacks. Mascara can clump and close up volume fans, and removing it can mean extra rubbing and unwanted friction. Waterproof mascara is particularly difficult to remove gently.

It’s summer! The last thing you want is mascara streaking and smearing in the hot weather. Let those lovely extensions do the work.

6. Keep Wearing Sunscreen — and Avoid Buildup Around the Lashes

Sun protection is still essential when your clients have eyelash extensions. Encourage them to use sunscreen as directed, keeping it out of their eyes and avoiding coating the extensions or adhesive bonds. The same care applies to moisturizers, serums and eye creams.

An oil-free option may suit their aftercare routine, but that label alone doesn’t confirm compatibility with every adhesive. Follow the lash adhesive and skincare product guidance, and gently cleanse away product buildup with a suitable lash shampoo. There’s no need to skip sun protection for the sake of a lash set!

7. Care for Your Lashes After Swimming

Eyelash extensions are a lovely way to stay glam by the pool. Once your technician’s recommended waiting period has passed, swimming can be part of your summer plans — just give your lashes a little care afterward.

Gently rinse them with fresh water after swimming in the sea or pool, then cleanse according to your lash cleanser’s instructions to remove residue. Avoid rubbing your eyes, allow the lashes to dry, and brush them gently afterward. If your client is a frequent swimmer, suggest well-fitting goggles that don’t press against the extensions.

8. Cleanse the Lashes Daily

One of the MOST important steps in caring for eyelash extensions is daily cleansing. Using a suitable lash shampoo and a soft lash cleansing brush helps remove makeup, sweat and product buildup — particularly useful during those busy summer days!

Once washing is permitted under their treatment’s aftercare instructions, clients should use the cleanser as directed, rinse thoroughly and dry gently. Lash shampoo is for cleansing the lashes and lash line, not for use as an eyewash.

It’s a great retail opportunity too! Try offering a foaming lash cleanser and brush to your clients so they have the right tools for their routine.

9. Book Regular Infills

If your clients want fresh, full and beautiful lashes, infill appointments are often booked every 2–3 weeks. The right timing depends on their natural lash cycle, retention and the condition of the remaining extensions.

As natural lashes shed, gaps will gradually appear along the lash line. Leaving appointments too long may mean a new set is needed rather than an infill. Help your clients plan ahead by booking their next appointment while they're in the salon — especially before a summer vacation!

10. Manage Sweat During Summer Workouts

For the fitness fanatics of your clientele, a clean sweatband can help keep sweat from running toward the eyes while they’re running along the promenade or doing pull-ups in the gym. You go!

Suggest gently blotting the forehead and face rather than wiping across the lashes. After a sweaty workout, cleanse the lashes as directed instead of allowing sweat and skincare residue to build up.

TOP TIP: Consider offering your clients an aftercare card. Check that its advice matches the adhesive and finishing products used in their treatment.

Summer Lash Aftercare FAQs

Can I Take a Bath with Eyelash Extensions?

Yes, once any waiting period recommended by your Lash Technician has passed. Keep the water comfortably warm, ventilate the bathroom and avoid rubbing your lashes or getting bath products on them. If you’re unsure how soon you can get them wet, check with your technician.

Can I Shower or Wash My Lashes After 24 Hours?

For many treatments, washing will be permitted by this point, but the correct timing depends on the adhesive and finishing products used. Follow your technician’s specific instructions. Once washing is permitted, cleanse gently, rinse thoroughly and avoid directing strong shower pressure onto the extensions.

How Should I Care for Lash Extensions After Swimming?

Rinse gently with fresh water, cleanse with a suitable lash cleanser according to its instructions, and allow the lashes to dry before brushing them with a clean spoolie. Don’t rub them with a towel. Goggles that leave space around the lashes can help frequent swimmers protect their sets from friction.

Embrace the vacay vibes and look after your lashes! There’s nothing better than waking up with a low-maintenance morning routine, especially when you want to rush outside and enjoy the sunshine. Whether you're chilling poolside, lounging at the beach or enjoying the outdoors, we hope these tips help you and your clients make the most of summer.