How to Shower With Eyelash Extensions
It might sound amusing but a question many lash newbies ask during their first appointment is, “How do I shower with eyelash extensions?”
Those who are new to the world of lashes are likely to be completely unaware of whether they can get their lashes wet, what they can do to make them last longer, and whether there is anything they should avoid. This is where you come in! As a professional Lash Artist, you’re not only there to give your clients the luxury of beautiful, confidence boosting lashes but also to provide them with some top tips and tricks to ensure lash longevity.
Without making sure your clients have some basic knowledge of how eyelash extensions work and how they ought to take care of them, issues with retention are likely to become very common. After all, we know that one of the main reasons for lashes prematurely shedding is poor aftercare.
So, let’s cut to the chase - here are some common questions on lash aftercare (specifically related to washing/showering), along with our top tips on how to answer them...
Can I get my eyelash extensions wet?
If your client asks for advice on how to shower with eyelash extensions, what they’re essentially asking is whether they can get their lashes wet. Some people hold the outdated misconception that lash extensions can never get wet at any time, but this simply isn’t true!
In fact, if your client avoids getting their lashes wet, this means they’re probably not cleaning them, which is a recipe for disaster. In reality, your clients only need to avoid getting their eyelash extensions wet for the first 24 hours after application. This is due to the fact that the lash glue needs time to cure and water can cause the glue to become brittle. However, if you use a Lash Superbonder which instantly polymerizes the glue without shock curing, your clients no longer need to worry about their lashes getting wet as the bonds have already been sealed!
Once this 24 hour period is over, your client actually *should* be wetting their lashes in order to thoroughly cleanse them with a high quality lash shampoo.
How do I shower with eyelash extensions?
Now that your client knows theycanwet their lashes 24 hours after application, they may wish to know how they ought to do so without causing any damage or premature shedding.
Cue your wise words of advice! If you don’t already do so, you should consider offering your clients a handy aftercare card which includes the following top tips..
Avoid steamy/humid environments
There’s no denying that hot, steamy environments - for example, your bathroom during a shower - can cause mischief where eyelash extensions are concerned.
Humidity can weaken the bond between the lash glue and your natural lash, which can cause the dreaded lash shedding. To prevent this, you can encourage your clients to be mindful of the water temperature when showering and to keep their bathroom well ventilated to prevent excessive steam.
Steam and eyelash extensions do not bode well for lash longevity, which is why us lash techs often advise clients to steer clear of saunas, steam rooms and hot yoga classes.
Be careful with the products you are applying
Persuading your clients to carry out a proper cleansing routine for their lashes can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, and sadly it’s not the only one. Another common issue arises when clients use a wide range of different skincare products, not realizing how these products will interfere with their extensions.
Acids and oily products can wreak havoc on eyelash extensions, so it’s crucial that your clients are aware of this. We all love applying skincare in the shower, but this shouldn’t come at the expense of a stunning new lash set!
Remind your clients to avoid oily eye makeup remover products and to replace this with a specially designed lash shampoo.
Avoid high pressure water
Finally, you should mention water pressure. High water pressure can negatively impact lash retention in the same way that any type of friction can!
For this reason, it’s a bad idea to spray eyelash extensions directly with high pressure, hot water. Instead, get some water on your fingertips - lukewarm or cool is best - and press it to the glue bonds before gentle applying Lash Shampoo, and then rinse again carefully with fingertips before patting dry, and brushing the lashes through.
So there we have it - our top three tips on how to shower with eyelash extensions. It may seem obvious to some, but you should never assume that your clients - especially those new to lashes - will know this already!
