If you ask any random person on the street what makes them jump in their seat with fear, they will say things like ghosts, demons, or spiders. If you ask a lash technician, you’ll get an entirely different list! From stickies to chemical burns, dropped tweezers to client no-shows, we thought that right now would be the perfect time to take a closer look at this particular set of horror stories and figure out what we can do to avoid them in the future.
Unfortunately, some lash techs take shortcuts or do not have the appropriate training or experience to safely apply for lash extensions, even though most lash techs are skilled and professional. This article will discuss some of the more common horror stories involving eyelash technicians and offer advice on locating an experienced and reputable lash technician.
Stickies
A stickie is essentially one eyelash that has been adhered to another eyelash. This can be an extension that has been attached to a neighboring extension or a natural lash. In the most extreme circumstances, the offender receives more than two lashes. There are primarily four kinds of stickies, and if we want our customers to return to us and if we want to have any sort of a good reputation as a lash artist, we need to do everything in our power to stay away from them.
They cause pain and discomfort, and they have the potential to kill off the hair follicles entirely. This means that our clients’ lashes will become gappier and sparser if we don’t separate stickies when they occur. Stickies pose a massive threat to the health of our clients’ lashes and our business.
At the end of each lash appointment, we should set aside ten to fifteen minutes to separate any stickies that may have occurred. To do this, we should go through each lash and use both pairs of tweezers to pull apart any lashes that have become entangled carefully. Keep in mind that even if we take all of the necessary precautions, it is customary to find at least a couple of stickies at the end of each set, even if we do everything in our power to prevent them.
Dropping your tweezers
There isn’t much to say here; dropping your tweezers sends shivers down the spines of even the toughest lash techs. Tweezers will always land on their tips. This may be due to aerodynamics, or it may just be the universe laughing at your misfortune. Either way, it is not an ideal situation.
When we have to put our tweezers down for a moment, it is always better to have somewhere highly safe for them to put them. This is because one of the primary ways that our tweezers can meet this end is not actually due to us dropping them but rather due to one of our customers knocking them off of the pillow.
This blog post shows you why a tweezer holder is great for business. We highly recommend a magnetic tweezer case to keep your tools safe and clean.
No show from the client
It’s possible that this doesn’t sound like a scary story at all but more like an annoyance. However, what about the reduction in income? Consider that the typical cost of treatment at your establishment is $150; losing one client per week amounts to $600 per month and $7,200 per year.
What steps can you take to avoid this happening? It is common practice to require clients to pay a deposit equal to a percentage of the total cost of the treatment at the time that the appointment is scheduled. It is recommended that this percentage be set at fifty percent for the straightforward reason that it compensates you for the time slot you cannot fill. You weren’t required to use any products, but if you want a complete set of lashes, you’ll need to spend closer to ten pounds on products (actually, you’ll spend less; we’ll have a blog post on this topic very soon). Therefore, you are still missing out on approximately $150, which could have been used to pay your rent, bills, insurance, salary, etc…
Chemical Burns
When your client opens their eyes at the end of treatment with the most incredible set of lashes, only to see that their eyes are red and bloodshot, it is one of the saddest things that can happen. There are very few things more disappointing. Not only does this result in a less-than-perfect collection of photographs for your Instagram feed, but it also makes the customer uneasy. Some customers begin to freak out, thinking that their eyes will never return to normal, while others simply smile politely and say that everything is fine.
Chemical burns are caused by the fumes that come off of the glue used for eyelash extensions. These fumes can get into the eyes if opened in any way while the treatment is being performed. Your customer may have done this because they checked their phone (yes, this does happen) because they were talking or falling asleep, and their eyelids were flickering, or even because of the shape of their eyes.
Burns caused by chemicals are easier to avoid than you might think; all you have to do is remember to keep your eyelids closed! For a highly comprehensive discussion on chemical burns and how to avoid getting them.
Running out of glue
No matter how well we prepare, something like this is bound to take place at some point! It’s possible that we didn’t realize that we were opening our last bottle or that we dried out our glue by leaving it in the open. Regardless of what caused us to run out of cement, it’s a nightmare to sit down to apply lashes and discover that your kit’s primary component is missing from your arsenal.
What steps can you take to avoid this happening? It depends on the specific reasons why your glue is not working correctly, but the following are some general guidelines to follow:
- Keep an inventory of the glue so that you don’t waste any of it and lose track of how much you have.
- Consider signing up for a service such as a glue subscription, ensuring that you always have the adhesive on hand.
- You shouldn’t just leave your glue lying around; you should store it in an airtight container in an excellent, dry location that is out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.
Reactions caused by allergies
An allergic reaction to the adhesive used to attach the lash extensions is one of the more common and well-known horror stories associated with lash extensions. Some individuals have an allergic reaction to the components of lash adhesive, which can result in symptoms such as redness, itching, swelling, and even hives. In extreme circumstances, an allergic reaction can cause breathing difficulties, necessitating medical attention.
It is essential to select a lash technician who uses medical-grade adhesive of the highest possible quality and performs a patch test before applying the complete set of lashes to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. In a patch test, a small amount of adhesive is placed behind the ear or on the arm, and the patient waits between 24 and 48 hours to see if they experience any adverse reactions.
Eye Infection
Infections of the eye are yet another terrifying complication that can result from getting lash extensions. This may occur if the lash technician does not thoroughly disinfect their tools or if they use products tainted with bacteria. If bacterial infections like conjunctivitis are not treated, the symptoms may include redness, swelling, discharge, and vision loss.
Finding a lash technician who adheres to the correct sanitation procedures and employs only sterile, single-use tools to reduce the risk of eye infections is essential. Be sure to inquire about the sanitation procedures used by your lash technician, and keep a close eye on them throughout the appointment to ensure that they are using clean tools.
The destruction of natural lashes
Incorrect application of lash extensions poses a risk of causing damage to the natural lashes of the individual. This may happen if the lash technician uses lashes that are either too heavy or too long for your natural lashes or if they use excessive adhesive, which causes the lashes to stick together and pull on your natural lashes. Another possibility is that the lash technician did not use enough glue.
Choose a lash tech with experience and knowledge about the correct application of lash extensions to protect your natural lashes from being harmed while getting lash extensions. They should be able to recommend lashes suitable for your natural lashes and ensure that they are applied correctly without pulling or tugging on your natural lashes in any way.
Lashes losing their attachments
Another horrifying tale involves lash extensions that fell out too soon after application. This may happen if the lash technician uses an adhesive of poor quality or if the false lashes are not correctly adhered to the client’s natural lashes. Spending money on lash extensions and then finding that they fall out after a few days to a few weeks can be very frustrating.
Choose a lash tech who uses high-quality adhesive and applies it correctly if you want to avoid your lashes falling out prematurely. This will prevent premature lash loss. Be sure to follow the aftercare instructions that your lash tech provides for you, which may include avoiding getting your lashes wet for the first 24 to 48 hours after the application and avoiding using oil-based products around your eyes.
Lashes that are uneven or crooked
Another nightmare scenario is being left with lash extensions that are uneven or crooked after getting them done. This may occur if the lash technician does not correctly isolate each natural lash before applying the extension, which may result in some lashes becoming entangled with one another or pointing in various directions.
Choosing a lash technician who is experienced and skilled at isolation techniques is the best way to guarantee that your eyelash extensions will be applied symmetrically and evenly. Before using the extension, they should be able to separate each natural lash, allowing them to ensure that the extensions are evenly spaced and facing the same direction as the natural lashes.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, lash extensions can significantly enhance your natural lashes and achieve a fuller, more dramatic look. If you want to learn more about this topic, check out this article. However, to ensure that you have a pleasant and risk-free experience, it is essential to select a lash technician who is both skilled and respected in the industry. You can help prevent some of the most common lash technology horror stories by following the advice provided in this article, and you can also have more fun with lash extensions.
