Let's face it - most of us love our eyelash extensions! They give us that extra edge in the beauty department and make us feel like we can take on the world. But what’s often overlooked is how often we should take a break from using them. Without a break, our eyelashes can become weak and brittle from the damage and tension our extensions put on them. So, if you're looking for definitive advice on how often you should remove and replace your eyelash extensions, you've come to the right place! Let's dive in and discover all the tips and tricks you need to keep your lashes healthy and happy.
Understanding Lash Extensions and Growth Cycles
Understanding Lash Extensions and Growth Cycles are essential to maintaining healthy lashes and determining how often you should take a break from extensions. The natural lash growth cycle consists of three stages: Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen. During the Anagen phase, new hairs grow between 1-2mm each day. The Catagen phase is a transition period where the hair follicle shrinks and lifts up the root of the lash. Lastly, the Telogen phase is a resting period when old lashes shed and new ones start to grow in their place. This entire cycle can last anywhere from 60-90 days.
When it comes to eyelash extensions, the weight of the extensions can put pressure on your natural lashes, which can disrupt their natural growth cycle. As a result, some lash artists recommend taking breaks from eyelash extensions every two months to help ensure that your natural lashes don't become too weakened or damaged due to constant strain from the extensions. On the other hand, proponents of early refills argue that if proper care is taken, including frequent cleaning and avoiding excess moisture on your eyelids, extensions should not damage your natural lashes as long as regular refills are done between 4-6 weeks.
How Lash Adhesives Impact Your Natural Lash Health
Lash adhesives are intended to bond the artificial lashes with your natural lashes. However, it’s important to understand how this extra adhesive and weight on your naturally fragile lashes could affect your health. When done properly, eyelash extensions should not cause harm or damage to your natural lashes. But many people with weak or sparse eyelashes are often concerned about what their long-term lash health would look like. How often you take a break from your extensions will depend on the adhesive's integrity, strength, and quality.
Experts make note that good lash adhesives usually contain cyanoacrylate, which is an acrylic monomer used for sticking objects together. But at the same time, some kinds of adhesives can contain substances that may be considered irritating to some skin types. To prevent adverse reactions, it’s important to use a reputable product as well as to choose an experienced extension professional who only uses high-quality products.
On the other hand, some professionals maintain that while poor-quality adhesives may pose a risk of infection and sensitivity if improperly applied, quality products are generally safe when used properly. But it’s still best to proceed with caution if you are worried about any reaction or irritation to the skin specifically in and around the eyelid area.
How Often Should You Take A Break from Lashes
When it comes to deciding how often you should take a break from eyelash extensions, the answer is not so clear-cut. Depending on your individual needs and preferences, a break could range anywhere from a few weeks to several months. That said, experts generally agree that taking a break from lashes every six to eight weeks can be beneficial for any lash wearer.
Taking a break from eyelashes will help preserve the health of natural lashes. By removing the extensions, you give yourself that chance to let your lashes rest and recover from any hair loss or damage caused by the extension process. Additionally, taking breaks gives your lash artist a more thorough view of the condition of your natural lashes and can help them to determine what kind of lash styles are best suited for you.
On the other hand, some proponents argue that taking frequent breaks can actually do more harm than good as they might lead to gaps between lash applications and reapplications which eventually take their toll on the health of your natural lashes. They recommend waiting at least eight to ten weeks in between breaks so as to allow the lash health routine set into motion by your lash artist to work its magic.
Develop a Special Extension Care Routine
Developing a special extension care routine is essential for those wearing eyelash extensions. A non-negotiable part of this remarkable beauty trend is that some sort of upkeep plan must be in place. After all, if you want to be able to enjoy your extended lashes for an extended period of time, then you need to make sure that they are kept clean, moisturized, and protected from external damage.
The most important thing to consider when developing a care routine is the amount of time spent on cleaning and conditioning the lashes each day. Many people opt for a light brushing and gentle cleansing every morning as a way of keeping their lashes looking full, glossy, and healthy. With a little bit of oil-free mascara or lash serum, you can easily freshen up any drooping eyelashes throughout the day.
It is also important to keep extensions away from water as much as possible. Long hot showers or swimming can loosen the bond between your natural lash hairs and the extensions, causing them to fall out prematurely. Regular use of tools such as steamers and saunas should be avoided whenever possible as the combination of heat and moisture will certainly cause damage to lashes over time. Additionally, sleeping on your back with extra support pillows can help avoid crushing your eyelash extensions while also helping to maintain healthy sleeping patterns.
Finally, regular touch-ups are recommended at least once every two weeks in order to keep all the lashes looking full with no gaps or noticeable tapered ends. This maintenance visit should include a thorough cleaning and inspection to ensure no replacement extensions are necessary.
Overall it is important to develop a dedicated care routine so that you can enjoy beautiful extended eyelashes without worrying about damage or falling out prematurely. By following these simple steps on how often you should take a break from eyelash extensions, plus committing to regular touch-ups and maintenance visits, anyone can have amazing-looking eyelashes for a long period of time.
The Perfect Time for Removal
Eyelash extensions can really open up your eyes and offer an impressive look to your identity. One of the things to keep in mind when getting eyelash extensions, however, is that they eventually need to be removed. The perfect time for removal comes when clients start to notice anything from redness of the eyes or any problems with the application or care. At a salon, technicians handle the removal process carefully and professionally, making sure not to damage the client's natural lashes during removal. Scheduling a one-on-one appointment with your salon technician is the best way to make sure that your extensions are removed safely at the perfect time.
The Bottom Line:
Taking regular breaks from eyelash extensions is essential for your natural lashes to thrive and flourish. While wearing long-term extensions, it's important to check in with yourself about whether or not they are still comfortable - if not, it could be an indication that poor application has occurred or allergies have surfaced. We recommend taking a break every 2-3 weeks; if you are unsure when to pause, don't hesitate to reach out to an expert or even schedule a one-on-one appointment with your salon technician.