How to Properly Clean and Care for your Lash Extensions

If you’re loving the way you look with lash extensions, give your lashes some love in return! Take good care of your extensions to keep them looking beautiful and fresh.

But how do you clean and care for your lash extensions?

Clean and care for your lash extensions with a professional foam cleanser, fluffy eyelash brush, and eyelash spoolie. Gently cleanse, dry, and brush your lashes 1-2 times each day. Avoid oil products, eye makeup, and eye rubbing to help your lashes last as long as possible.

Below, you’ll learn more about why it’s essential to clean your eyelash extensions. We’ll also discuss which products are best and how exactly to clean your lash extensions.

Why is it important to clean your lashes?

First and foremost, you should clean your lash extensions to protect your eyes from dirt and bacteria. Secondly, clean them to encourage natural lash growth and prevent damage. Lastly, it’s important to maintain your lash extensions to help them last longer before falling out.

Let’s dive into each of these three factors.

1.   Eye Health

Your eye health is essential! If the lashes become dirty, bacteria will begin to accumulate there.

Have you heard of demodex? They’re tiny mites that live on the lashes. Just like any living organism, they excrete and procreate. They’re perfectly normal and usually harmless… unless you have too many of them.

If you allow bacteria and demodex to accumulate on your lashes, you may experience significant eye irritation and even infection. Some people become allergic to eyelash extensions over time. Regular cleanings will keep bacteria and demodex at bay to keep your eyes healthy and clean.

2.   Natural Lash Protection

No one wants to sacrifice their natural lashes to wear lash extensions.

The function of your natural lashes is to catch dirt and dust. Lash extensions are so thick that you’ll be catching more particles than normal. Excessive dirt and dust can inflame the lash line, causing a condition called Blepharitis, which leads to natural lash fall and itchy, red eyelids.

Protect your natural lashes by cleaning your extensions daily. If you do experience eye irritation or lash fall, mix just a few drops of tea tree oil to your normal lash wash. It can fight infection and, if used sparingly, will not damage your extensions.

3.   Lash Life

You’ve invested your time and money into your eyelash extensions, and you want them to look great for as long as possible.

Keep in mind that it’s normal to see 1-4 lashes fall out as time goes on, but if you’re seeing more lash fall than this, you may need to change the way you’re cleaning and maintaining your lashes. In many cases, oil and friction are the culprits of lash fall.

Natural oils from the skin (as well as oils from skincare products, sunscreen or makeup) will break down the extension adhesive. To control these oils: 1. Do not use any products with oil. 2. Wash your lashes daily to prevent natural oils from wearing down the glue.

Is it hard to clean your lash extensions?

It takes a little practice to get really good at cleaning your eyelash extensions. Some people find it challenging at first to remove all of that trapped dirt, oil, and dead skin when it’s so small that you can’t see it in the mirror. Unfortunately, many people find that they’re pulling their lash extensions out while cleaning them. Let’s talk about which products and techniques will help you keep your lashes properly clean without pulling them out.

What products can you use to clean them?

When it comes to your face, don’t hesitate to invest in high-quality products. Use professional products and a gentle approach to keep your lashes dirt and oil-free.

Avoid:

  • Products with oil
  • Mineral oils
  • Vegetable oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Canola oil
  • DIY cleansers

These products can weaken the glue, clog the follicles, or even cause allergic reaction or infection.

So, which products should you use to clean your eyelash extensions?

Lash cleanser

Get a professional lash extension cleanser along with a fluffy eyelash brush to wipe the lash line and extensions. A foaming cleanser is best when it comes to lashes, because it will rinse off easily without leaving residue (which can disturb the glue bonds).

Micellar water

Micellar water works beautifully for cleaning every trace of makeup, dirt, and oil from your face, and it’s safe for lash extensions! Keep in mind that some formulations contain oil, so be sure to choose an oil-free option.

Micellar water contains mild surfactants and purified water. The surfactants attract oil and dirt so you can get a good clean without weakening the glue. However, if you have dry or acne-prone skin, avoid micellar water, because it can worsen both conditions.

Baby shampoo

Baby shampoo is gentle enough for newborn babies, and it’s gentle enough for your lashes. If you wear makeup, however, you won’t be able to remove eyeshadow or anything else with baby shampoo alone. If you need to clean your lashes without breaking the bank, ask your expert if they recommend baby shampoo for your lashes.

Eyelash spoolie

An eyelash spoolie, AKA spoolie wand, looks like a mascara brush. This is a must-have to brush out your lash extensions after washing and drying. Brush the lashes by closing the eyes and gentle combing the lashes from base to ends.

How do you clean eyelash extensions?

You should clean your lashes 1-2 times every day to remove buildup from oil, dirt, and dust. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Pump a little bit of foam cleanser on a fluffy eyelash brush.
  2. Gently and carefully apply the cleanser to the lash extensions and around the eye.
  3. Work in a downward motion, not side-to-side (as a side-to-side motion will cause the lashes to clump and tangle).
  4. Rinse the eyes using clean water, removing all of the cleanser.
  5. To dry, fan the lashes with your hand or pat them carefully with a clean, soft tissue. Alternatively, you can air-dry the lashes. Do not use a rag or anything else that may pull on the lashes.
  6. Once the lash extensions are completely dry, brush them from base to ends with a clean mascara brush or wand.

What’s the best lash extension cleaner?

You need a product that is high-quality, foaming, PH-balanced, and professional-grade. You need a product that is specifically formulated to prevent eye infections and promote healthy lashes.

It can be daunting to find a product that does it all, but it’s important, because the wrong cleanser may cause irritation, infection, allergic reaction, or lash fall. We’ll make it easy for you by recommending our tested-and-proven favorite, Stacy Lash Shampoo.

Stacy Lash Shampoo is:

  • Oil-free
  • Foaming
  • Makeup erasing
  • Non-irritating
  • Non-burning
  • Free from gluten, parabens, phthalates, and other chemicals
  • Vegan and cruelty-free

In addition, this lash cleanser comes with the perfect fluffy brush for cleaning your extensions.

Other Tips & Tricks for Maintaining your Lash Extensions

  • Remove makeup first: Remove the rest of your face makeup with an oil-free makeup remover before cleaning your extensions. If you’re wearing eyeshadow, use a cotton swab dipped into your makeup remover to remove the color without rubbing the extensions. Follow up with your lash cleaning routine to remove excess makeup remover out of your extensions.
  • Don’t use makeup remover wipes: Wipes contain oils, emollients, and other ingredients that will weaken the glue bond. You don’t want to leave that residue on your lash line.
  • Say goodbye to cotton balls and sponges: These tools are great for other purposes, but can rip out your extensions due to friction (even when used gently).
  • Invest in a silk pillowcase: Sleep on a silk pillowcase at night to avoid the friction that will pull your extensions out. If you absolutely must touch your eyes for any reason, use a silk pillowcase to minimize friction. If your eyes are itchy, see a physician to determine the root of the problem.
  • Don’t delay refills: While it may be tempting to put off your refill as long as possible, that’s not ideal if you plan on maintaining your voluminous lash look. Keep up with your regular appointments to keep your lashes fluffy, clean, and healthy.
  • Avoid eye makeup: While a little eyeshadow is OK from time to time, avoid eye makeup as often as possible to slow down debris accumulation and glue breakdown.
  • Purchase the right products: If you can’t go without your eyeliner or mascara, invest in products that are safe for lash extensions.
  • Avoid water and steam: It is absolutely essential to avoid water and steam for the first 48 hours after you get your eyelash extensions. Even after the first 48 hours, excessive steam can wear the glue down, so avoid saunas and hot tubs if possible.  

While lash extensions can take some getting used to, they are totally worth it. They give you confidence from the moment you wake up until you fall asleep – makeup or no makeup. Keep your lashes in tip-top shape at all times so you have the best experience with your eyelash extensions.

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