Being a lash artist requires a certain set of abilities, knowledge, and a little more attention than the average job. As you know, applying eyelash extensions can take many hours; thus, ensuring that the client is comfortable and safe is just as vital as getting the desired great volume.
If you’re a lash technician doing this for a while, you’ve undoubtedly already had the experience of applying lash extensions to a customer whose eyes were watering, arguably the worst thing that could have happened. The watery nature of tears and the fact that they also include oil and salt makes them an even greater threat to the quality of your eyelash curls.
CAUSES…
Was the client so emotional that she couldn’t stop crying throughout the session since she could finally see the results of her eyelash transformation? Perhaps. The fact that your client feels irritation is the most likely explanation for why they have watery eyes when getting eyelash extensions done.
If we don’t first figure out what’s causing it, we won’t be able to develop effective methods of both prevention and treatment.
Applying synthetic lashes to natural lashes raises the question of why this would irritate.
A few of the most common reasons are as follows:
1. ALLERGIC REACTION TO EYELASH EXTENSION ADHESIVES
Eye irritation caused by the fumes of the adhesive is the most common irritant that occurs during the application of false eyelashes, and the primary offender is the chemical components of the lash glue. An allergic reaction can cause various symptoms, including watery eyes, itching, redness, swelling, and even a burning sensation. These symptoms might range in severity from person to person.
2. IT’S POSSIBLE THAT THE LASHES WON’T BE ATTACHED CORRECTLY.
Getting eyelash extensions is not completely risk-free, even though it represents their idea of the perfect glamorous makeover for many women. For just this reason, it is imperative that you, as a lash artist, arm yourself with the appropriate training on how to perform the procedure most effectively.
The eyelid should never come into contact with the lashes and should instead be applied approximately one millimeter away from the eyelid at all times. Because of the proximity of these two points, it is simple to overlook them. Even if the person who gets their lashes done by you doesn’t have especially sensitive eyes, the pointed end of an eyelash could hurt the skin of their eyelid.
Hacks to prevent watery eyes
1. PERFORM PATCH- TEST PRIOR LASHING
Some customers have the propensity to have an allergic reaction to the products used for eyelash extensions—sometimes it’s the eyepatch, sometimes the lash extensions. Still, it’s the lash glue most of the time. Because of this, you must perform a brief trial, also commonly referred to as a Patch test, before formally applying a full set of eyelash extensions.
A patch test is performed on the client at least one day before the formal lash application to determine whether or not the customer is allergic to the adhesive or any other lash items used during the procedure. The appointment itself may only take between 15 and 20 minutes to complete.
Ensuring the person getting their lashes done won’t have an allergic reaction is like getting ahead of potentially dangerous scenarios and, worst case scenario, a medical emergency.
2. KEEP CLIENTS’ EYES SHUT
You must make it abundantly apparent to your customers that they must close their eyes entirely and remain motionless for the entirety of the application procedure. A moment or two later, they would engage in pointless small activities since they are bored while waiting for their lashes to be done. For example, some of them would be talking nonstop, while others couldn’t resist checking up on their phones, which caused their eyes to be opened and allowed the glue fumes to enter their systems.
If you want to prevent irritating their eyes and avoid annoying yourself because you can’t focus on lashing while also offering love advice, now is the time to recommend taking a lash nap. Kidding aside!
3. USE QUALITY LASH EXTENSION GLUE AND LASH PRODUCTS
Regardless of the level of your abilities and knowledge, utilizing items of poor quality is just as hazardous to the safety of your customers as it is to the quality of the lash work you do. If you are acting in a professional capacity, you should be aware of everything that is going into the eyes of your customer. Conduct the necessary study to determine which components or compounds are harmful to the skin, paying particular attention to sensitive eye areas.
If you had done your homework, you would know that there are good lash extension glues on the market right now, and some of them have been carefully created for customers with more sensitive eyes. Even though these varieties of lash glue don’t dry quite as quickly as others, additional varieties of lash products, such as lash glue accelerators and bonders, have arisen in recent years as the ideal complement to these lash glue varieties. This dynamic pair is the perfect solution to your challenges, as it will eliminate discomfort without slowing down your lash-growing capabilities.
Above all else, you should always put your customers’ health and medical safety as your top priority when performing eyelash extensions on them.
4. INVEST IN A LASH STUDIO THAT HAS READILY AVAILABLE VENTILATION
Ventilation should be provided whenever it is feasible to reduce the intensity of the odors. Start a fan to circulate the air, and if any windows can be opened, the odors will disappear more quickly the greater your air circulation is. Because of the length of time that you and your customers are exposed to the chemicals that you employed during the application, you should avoid being in a space that is stuffy and closed off as much as possible.
5. USE A NANO MISTER
Using a nano mister helps the glue cure more quickly, which is especially helpful given that you are working with glues designed for people with sensitive eyes, which typically require more time to dry. The sooner the glue sets and the fumes dissipate, the sooner your customers won’t have to worry about experiencing eye strain due to your product.
6 pro tips for reducing eye irritation when putting volume eyelash extensions.
1. Make sure that your customers close their eyes the entire time.
You must always make it abundantly apparent to your customers that they must apply the product while keeping their eyes closed. Even if they only peep through the cracks a little, the fumes have the potential to get into their eyes, causing them to burn and water. The client will experience discomfort as a result of this, and the application procedure will also experience a setback because the moisture from the client’s eyes watering can cause the bonding from the adhesive to become less strong.
2. Ventilation should be created wherever it is feasible.
When applying volume lashes, the last place you want your client to be is in a stuffy room because of how long it takes. Create ventilation whenever it is possible to do so to lessen the severity of the fumes. Start up a fan and, if feasible, throw open any windows; the better the air circulation, the more rapidly the odor will dissipate.
3. Position the Extensions as desired., 5 millimeters from the eyelids.
You should always make sure that you are applying for the extensions at least to reduce the risk of the client experiencing discomfort from the fumes. The risk increases the closer the adhesive is to the client’s skin and eyes .5 millimeters from the edge of the eyelids. This reduces the likelihood of irritation and leaves more than enough room for the extensions to form a secure bond with the original hair.
4. Use Less Glue.
If you apply too much adhesive, your extensions will not only clump together and come out prematurely but there is also a greater possibility that your client may experience more irritation from the fumes. This can be avoided by applying just the right amount of adhesive. When you stop to think about it, it’s very obvious: the more adhesive you use, the more fumes are produced; thus, if you want better outcomes, use a smaller amount of adhesive than you normally would.
5. Utilizing a Nano Mister to Cut Down on the Fumes.
If the glue hardens more quickly, the vapors will also dissipate more rapidly, reducing the likelihood that your customers will experience any strain in their eyes. When employing a nano mister, the glue will be completely set and cured in roughly a third of the time it took previously. In the past, this process took nearly an entire day to complete. Thanks to the light mist, your customers will be able to open their eyes without being surprised by the powerful and unpleasant odors.
6. Employ an Adhesive that is Specifically Developed for Sensitivities.
If a customer still complains of eye irritation after you’ve followed all of the recommendations given above, you might want to recommend using a sensitive type of glue. Even though these adhesives don’t normally dry as quickly or deliver results as long-lasting as those provided by fast-dry adhesives, their composition is designed to accommodate customers particularly sensitive to the fumes produced by other eyelash glue.
Final Thoughts
Having customers who experience watery eyes while installing lash extensions is just one of the many challenges that lash artists face daily and must be able to overcome safely and tastefully. As the lash professional, it is your primary duty to put the well-being and safety of your client ahead of all else, even if this requires you to refuse to do the procedure for them.
Behind that dazzling glance is a field of expertise, knowledge, and determination to give a safe beauty treatment. The most noticeable aspect of lash enhancement may be beautifully looking volumes and spikes of lash curls.
