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Eyelash Extensions Guide: How to Identify Damaged Lashes
t’s a Lash Tech’s worst nightmare when a client turns up for their appointment and their lashes are brittle, weak, and damaged! But what are the telltale signs, and what do you do when you’re faced with this situation? We’ll cover some telltale signs to help you identify if your clients’ natural lashes are damaged and what you can do to help.
How To Identify Damaged Natural Lashes
What Do Damaged Lashes Look Like?
It can be pretty easy to identify damaged lashes; if they’re heavily damaged, it will be visibly obvious. However, if you’re a little unsure, here are several ways in which damaged lashes can be distinguished:
Bald Spots and Gaps Between Lashes:
One of the easiest ways to spot damaged natural lashes is by looking for bald spots and gaps between the eyelashes. If you notice uneven spacing between lashes or areas where there are no eyelashes, it’s a clear indicator that something isn’t right, and it could be a sign of lash damage. These gaps might be a result of damaged lashes that have fallen out from overuse or improper removal of eyelash extensions.
Thin and Sparse Lashes:
Damaged natural lashes are often thinner and sparser than healthy ones. When examining your client’s natural lashes, pay attention to their overall density. If you notice that they are significantly less dense than usual, it might be a sign of damage.
Brittle and Weak Lashes:
Healthy eyelashes should be flexible, straight, and resilient. If you notice any lashes that appear to be brittle, weak or have split ends, it’s a clear indicator of damage. These lashes will be prone to breakage and need some TLC!
Uneven Lash Lengths:
Compare the length of your client’s natural lashes. Damaged natural lashes can grow unevenly. You might notice that some eyelashes are shorter than others or that they have an irregular growth pattern. This can make it challenging to achieve a uniform look for any set of eyelash extensions, so these lashes will need some extra care and attention.
Lash Discoloration And Texture:
Pay attention to the colour and texture of your client’s natural lashes. Eyelashes that have turned a lighter colour than usual, have dark spots, or look rough instead of smooth, could be damaged. Discolouration can be caused by various factors, including excessive use of mascara, improper lash care, harsh adhesives, or incorrect eyelash extension application and removal.
Inflammation and Redness:
Check for any signs of irritation or redness along the lash line. If your client is experiencing redness, itching, or any signs of inflammation around the lash line, it could be due to damaged eyelashes. This may be a result of an allergic reaction or a liquid like eyelash glue that has been applied incorrectly and touched the skin. Irritation can weaken the natural lashes and lead to damage over time.
Unusual Lash Curls or Direction:
Healthy eyelashes usually have a natural curl and direction. Damaged lashes may appear straight or grow in odd directions. This can make it challenging to achieve the desired look for their eyelash extensions.
Frequent Lash Loss:
If your client complains about losing an abnormal amount of their natural lashes, it’s a red flag! Some eyelash shedding is normal, but excessive loss can indicate damage or improper aftercare. Whilst eyelash extensions may cause a slight increase in shedding, an unusually high rate should definitely raise concerns!
What Can Damage the Natural Lashes?
There are various factors as to why your client’s natural lashes could be damaged. Here are some factors that can contribute to lash damage:
- Improper Application of Lash Extensions: If eyelash extensions are not applied correctly, they can put strain on the natural lashes, leading to breakage. Remember, it’s not always safe to lash every single natural lash. If you want to learn how to apply eyelash extensions properly and safely, our best advice would be to educate yourself with training materials and undergo a training course. You could also check out our other blog posts about how to apply lashes step by step and for tips you may not already know. Education is the key to success!
- Improper Aftercare: Proper aftercare of lash extensions is paramount to maintaining the health of the natural lashes. Incorrect practices, such as rubbing the eyes, using oil-based makeup removers, or inadequate cleaning, can compromise the adhesive bond, increase the risk of infections, and place unnecessary stress on the natural lashes. Ensuring that clients are educated about following your recommended aftercare advice is essential to prevent damage and the overall retention of the lash extensions.
- Harsh Products: Using products with harsh chemicals or using products not specifically designed for lashes can weaken them over time. This is especially important when getting a lash lift treatment…
- Frequent Lash Lifts and Laminations: While lash lifts and laminations can give a beautiful curl and appearance, frequent treatments without proper care can lead to weakened lashes. Your client should always wait at least 4 to 6 weeks before they come back for another lash lift appointment. Your clients could essentially fry off their lashes if they came to you too frequently for this type of treatment!
- Physical Stress: Rubbing the eyes aggressively, picking the lashes, using eyelash curlers too often, or not removing makeup properly can all contribute to lash damage. Believe it or not, pulling out your lashes can actually cause permanent damage as you can harm the hair follicle and the surrounding skin and are more at risk of infections.
- Health Conditions: Unfortunately, various health conditions, such as alopecia, can cause you to lose lashes over time. Blepharitis and poor lash hygiene are also key factors. If your clients fail to practice good hygiene and proper aftercare, the oil glands near the base of the lashes can become clogged and inflamed, causing blepharitis.
- Health and Diet: Just like the hair on our heads, lashes are affected by our overall health and diet. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to weaker lashes.
How to Prevent Damaging The Lashes
Whether the symptoms are permanent or reversible, there are various ways that you can avoid causing damage, and your clients can give their lashes some much-needed TLC. Here are some tips:
- Educate on Proper Aftercare: After applying lash extensions, provide your clients with an aftercare guide. This should include information on cleaning their lashes, avoiding water and steam for the first 24-48 hours, and using oil-free makeup removers and products.
- Recommend Quality Products: Suggest lash serums specifically designed for eyelash health, as these products can strengthen and nourish the lashes.
- Space Out Treatments: If a client is getting frequent lash lifts, advise them to space out their treatments to give their natural lashes a break.
- Gentle Application: Make sure to apply the lash extensions with care, using the right amount of lash glue, checking for stickies, and ensuring that the extensions are not pulling or straining the natural lashes.As a Lash Artist, you want to make sure that you can correctly identify both baby lashes and thinner, weaker lashes! Baby lashes are often best left alone in most cases, however, if a client has a large group of baby lashes in one place or has gaps, sometimes a few baby lashes can be lashed, but make sure to use lighter lash diameters on them. Thin and weaker lashes again should be lashed with caution! If too heavy of a lash extension is placed on these weaker lashes, it could cause some damage.
Your role as a Lash Tech extends beyond creating sets of gorgeous eyelash extensions. It’s equally important to ensure the health and well-being of your clients’ natural lashes. By identifying and addressing damaged natural eyelashes early on, you can offer solutions, recommend proper aftercare, and help your clients maintain the beauty and health of their lashes in the long run. A proactive approach to lash health not only benefits your clients but also solidifies your reputation as a caring and knowledgeable Lash Technician. So, keep an eye on those eyelashes and guide your clients toward lash perfection!
