Overview
Eyelash extensions allergic reactions can be experienced by clients either during or after lash extensions application.
However, allergy due to eyelash extensions application is very rare and is not an indication of serious health problems.
In this article, I will focus on providing information about the causes, symptoms, treatments, and preventions of allergy due to eyelash extensions filling.
So, let's jump into the main points.
What is Allergic reaction in the Place?
An allergic reaction is an immune system response to any foreign chemicals or substances that our body immune system thinks or suspects that they might compromise or cause harm to our body.
The substances or chemicals that have the potential to cause allergic responses are called allergens. They include but not limited to foods, formalin, lash extensions primers and glue, talc in powder, pollen grains in plants, essential oils and so many of them.
And one thing about allergy is that, just because you are allergic to one type of allergens that does mean you are allergic to all types of allergens.
For example, you may be allergic to eyelash extensions primer but you will not be allergic to lash extensions glue.
In this case, as lash extensions technicians, you only need to change the lash extensions primer with one that is suitable for your clients.
Differences Between Eyelash Extensions Allergic Reactions And Irritation
As a lash extensions technician or stylist, it is important to know the differences between the allergy and irritation.
This helps you understand what is really disturbing your client when the client confront you with symptoms.
The two conditions look like they are the same, however, they are not.
Where allergic reactions are immune system responses due to allergens, irritation is a feeling of discomfort or pain due to irritants. Irritants are substances or chemicals that have the potential to cause irritation.
Irritation can be triggered by stress due to eyelash extensions filling or anxiety from the client.
Symptoms of allergy
Symptoms of eyelash extensions allergy can be classified into two types.
These are:
- Simple symptoms
- Chronic or severe symptoms
The simple symptoms include:
- Eye tearing
- Redness of eyes
- Skin sensitivity
- Swollen eyes
- Headache
The severe symptoms include:
- Rashes
- Eczema
- Contact dermatitis
- Hives
- Burning sensation
- Severe itching
Symptoms of irritation
Sometimes, your client may experience irritation if the client has an underlying medical conditions such as irregular menstrual cramps, reduced sex drive, hair loss, headache, and fever.Common symptoms associated with irritation are sweating, fast breathing, annoyance, confusion, heart racing and sometimes pain.
What Causes Eyelashe Extensions Allergic Reactions?
Eyelash extensions allergic reactions can be caused by lash extensions primers, lash glue, and low quality of the lash extensions salon.
As a lash extensions technician, it is important to know that allergic reactions are not typical because of eyelash extensions, but allergic reactions occur due to the synthetic chemicals in lash extensions primers and glue.
Most if not all the adhesive glue that is used for binding the eyelash extensions to the natural eyelashes contain cyanoacrylate. And this chemical is responsible for almost all forms of lash extensions of allergic reactions.
The cyanoacrylate is a colorless liquid chemical with adhesive property and is because of this property, the chemical becomes popular among eyelash extensions lovers and other stylists.
It has been widely used to connect tissues during surgical operations, and more commonly to connect eyelash extensions to the natural eyelashes.
However, one study showed that the short form of cyanoacrylate quickly dissociates giving out a harmful toxic chemical, which causes allergic responses.
And this is the most common form of cyanoacrylate that is widely used in eyelash extensions glue.
In this study, long forms of cyanoacrylate were found to cause less harm.
During degradation or curing time of cyanoacrylate fumes and heat are released, and this heat can be perceived by the client's system as a warming skin sensation, especially if the client's skin is sensitive skin. This increases the risk of allergic reactions.
And one study also showed that heat generation due to cyanoacrylate can cause burning sensation to patients.
During lashing, this heat generation can be seen in the form of fumes or vapors.
Another that can be found in lash glue is the carbon black, which is used to color the lash glue. This was also found to cause allergic responses with symptoms such as burning sensation, eye tearing, and swelling, especially to clients with compromised skins
Applying eyelash extensions too close to the eyelids can also increase the chance of lash glue getting into the eyes, and thereby causing eye tearing, burning sensation, and redness of eyes.
Lashing or lash extensions filling in a non-ventilated area can also be a major contributing factor for causing eyelash extensions allergic reactions.
The ventilated area is an area with low oxygen. Low oxygen in an area can lead to oxygen tension which is medically known as hypoxia.
Low oxygen causes less oxygen supply and low blood flow to the brain and other important organs of the body.
Since the brain and other organs of the body solely depend on oxygen supply and blood flow, this condition puts your body into a state of shock, which is also a form of allergic reactions.
This condition of low oxygen supply and blood flow can stimulate you to release chemicals called histamines, and histamines are the ones responsible for swelling, itching, and burning sensation.
Related: How to shower with eyelash extensions safely
Treatments
As recommended and as a lash extensions professional or stylist your job is not to advise the client whether they are fit for the makeup, but to advise them to see a professional healthcare provider to help them find whether they are fit for the makeup.
You should also suppose to provide an emergency remedies when your client develops allergy or irritation and they confront you with allergic reaction symptoms after eyelash extensions application.
This is why it is very crucial to be knowledgeable on some of the common complications so that you can provide your clients with immediate advice and aid.
As a client or lash extensions stylist, below are the possible actions you suppose to rake for lash extensions allergy:
Use of tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a great essential oil with so many anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. If your client experience allergy, just dilute 2% to 3% of tea tree oil with a suitable carrier oil.
Use a clean cotton bud to apply the oil and remove the eyelash extensions and lash glue.
This can help lower the inflammation, itching, and other possible injuries that might result before the client sees a doctor.
Use Hydrocortisone cream
Hydrocortisone cream is also a good anti-allergy that can provide immediate relief for inflammation, burning sensation, and itching.
Cold compress
Cold compress is the application of local cold on the area affected by allergy. This is done to store the body back to normal balance by calming down the body immune system and blocking the effects of inflammation.Immediately remove eyelash extensions
When you notice your client is developing a sign of discomfort, eye tearing, and having redness of cornea, stop filling the eyelash extensions and advise the client to see a medical doctor.
If it is after you applied the lash extensions, the client started experiencing allergy, then immediately remove the eyelash extensions. There are some clients that will insist to have the eyelash extensions despite having these health problems, do not listen to them and advise them with the potential side effects of allergic reactions.
Because, if you leave the eyelash extensions, that can lead to a severe form of allergy such as ad blindness, rashes, contact dermatitis, hives and so on.
Tell them that once you are allergic to a certain chemical or substance, it is important to avoid contact with that substance.
Use of chamomile essential oil
You can as well use chamomile essential oil to relieve swollen eyes and reduce itching, which is caused by eyelash extensions allergy.
Chamomile essential oil is a good alternative antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent that can't avoid having at your salon.
It is harmless and more effective than other alternative medicines.
Use 2% to 3%/ of chamomile essential oil in olive oil to make a 100% chamomile essential oil diffuser.
Related: The detailed dummies guide to eyelash extensions application
Preventions
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| By James Heilman, MD - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, |
To prevent yourself and your clients from allergic reactions due to lash extensions filling, ensure the following steps, tips, and tricks are properly observed:
Tell your clients to have a pre-medical checkup before lash: ensure that your clients are properly diagnosed and are approved by a certified medical healthcare provider to be medically fit for the lash extensions filling.
Let the client do a patch test: inform your potential clients to do a patch test by testing each ingredient and equipment involve in lash extensions filling such as glue and lash primers. If you found out your client to be allergic to one of the eyelash extensions ingredients and equipments, consider replacing them with suitable ones or completely advise your potential client not to perform the lash application.
Related: Do LashExtensions Ruin Your Natural Lashes | Beauty Archives FAQ
Let your clients let fill a waiver form: this is a form that includes your rules and regulations governing your salon.
The form also showcases the possible side effects associated with eyelash extensions. This helps you stay safe and make your clients trust you.
Make your salon hygiene friendly: make sure your salon is clean and properly equipped with professionally certified workers and modern lash extensions equipments.
Always lash in a well-ventilated area: install good well-ventilated windows in your salon alongside fans and air conditioners in your salon. This helps allow the proper movement of air in and out of your salon. And this helps increase faster curing of lash glue and therefore reduce fumes that may be generated due to cyanoacrylate degradation.
Use nano mister to reduce curing time: the nano mister is a good additive that can help quicken curing time of lash glue.
Use sensitive additive: sensitive additive is a great alternative for those clients who develop allergic reactions due to ethyl cyanoacrylate. This form of adhesive contains the long-chain form of cyanoacrylate, which is not easily degradable and less harmful.
Apply small lash glue: applying a small amount of lash extensions glue help reduce fumes and curing time, and therefore prevent possible eyelash extensions allergic reactions.
Use not the lash primers but a saline solution: instead of using lash extensions primers, most lash stylists recommend using a saline solution. This is because most if not all of lash extensions primers contain potential allergens.
Related: eyelash extensions before and after pictures, tips, tricks, and more
Conclusion
Symptoms such as eye reddening, swelling, and itching are uncommon, however, some clients do develop allergic reactions either during or after lash application.
However, if all the necessary guidelines were followed, such kinds of these health-related problems can be minimized or avoided.
We have discussed the causes, symptoms, treatments, and preventions of eyelash extensions of allergic reactions. We went ahead to outline some of the good steps you should follow as lash extensions stylists or potential clients.
Related: How long do eyelash extensions last? Here is what to know
References
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- González, J.M.. (2012)." Cyanoacrylate: Definition and properties. Toxicity and side effects. Applications in medicine and dentistry". Advances en odontoestomatologia. 28. 95-102.
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- Wackett A, Singer AJ. The role of topical skin adhesives in wound repair. Emerg Med J 2009:31–35
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