How To Wash Eyelash Extensions? A Step-by-step Guide by Experts

Do you know that you can get mites on your lash extensions? Yes, it’s true. You can get lash mites, also named Demodex, on your extensions, which can infest your natural lashes too.

The reason is that there are some mistakes that women make while having these lash extensions that make their eyes an ideal breeding ground for these mites.

The main reason is that many women who get these extensions for the first time feel scared of getting the extensions wet and hence don’t wash them properly. When they clean them, they notice that some of the extensions fall out, and it feels like money is falling into the sink!

So, washing your lash extensions is a must, and if you do it properly, you can also increase the life of your lash extensions without getting into the problem of mites. That is why, today, we decided to guide you through the step-by-step process of how to wash your lash extensions properly. We will also guide you on some important points that you can follow to increase the life of your lash extensions.

What happens when you don’t wash your extensions well?

Oil, dead skin, and dandruff build up at the base of the extensions. They become worse if you sleep in your eye makeup. This specific condition is called blepharitis and can cause inflammation in your eyelids. 

Lash mites get attracted to makeup and oil and it is their perfect home to infest and multiply. You won’t feel anything crawling around on your eyelid. However, you’ll get red, irritated, and itchy eyes. Only your eye doctor can visualize the mites with a microscope.

Be Extra Careful for the First 48 Hours

The first 48 hours after a lash extension application are the most critical. This is when the extensions are most sensitive to any interaction with external factors. So avoid touching them as much as you can as this may disrupt the root and cause your skin’s natural oils to deposit into the lashes.

In addition, keeping them dry is also important, as moisture can degrade the adhesive. After 48 hours, you can wash your extensions but with a proper method.

How To Wash Eyelash Extensions At Home?

Since eyelash extensions are so delicate, figuring out how to wash them can be a little intimidating. So, now we are going to discuss the most important part of our article. Here is how you can wash them correctly:

Remove makeup beforehand

Eyelash extension cleansers are usually a little too gentle to remove eye or face makeup. That is why we recommend that you remove your makeup first before washing or cleaning your lash extensions. This will make cleaning the lashes easy without accidentally getting makeup residue mixed in.

To remove your makeup, you can use one of the following products:

• Dedicated makeup cleanser
• Makeup remover that is oil-free
• Makeup removing cloth
• Micellar water

When removing your makeup, make sure that you avoid the lashes. If you’re wearing eyeliner, remove it with a cotton swab without tugging on the lashes.

Clean the lashes with proper cleanser

You cannot clean your extensions with any ordinary cleanser. Makeup removers and facial cleansers that we use in our day-to-day routine usually contain strong surfactants and oils.

They can break down the adhesive that is applied to our lash extensions. So, cleansing with an inappropriate remover can lead to losing lash extensions more quickly.

What can I use to clean lash extensions?

If you want to make your lash extensions last longer, then you can use one of the following products to clean them:

• Foaming lash cleanser

Foaming lash extension cleansers rinse out the lashes completely without leaving any residue. In addition, they don’t weaken the adhesive bond, and their formula boosts lash health. These cleaners are also optimized for eye health, and they have balanced PH levels that prevent eye infections.

• Micellar water

Thanks To the balance of the ingredients, micellar water can effectively clean even the most stubborn makeup. So, you can count on oil-free micellar water to cleanse your lashes deeply regardless of your eye makeup. It acts like a magnet by drawing dirt and oil, leaving you with healthy, clean, and moisturized lashes.

Can I use baby shampoo to clean eyelash extensions?

Baby shampoo can clear dirt, oil, and impurities from your lash extensions. However, we don’t recommend them as baby shampoos have perfumes that can irritate your eyes. The oils and sulfates in the baby shampoo will also weaken the adhesive and can cause the extensions to fall off.

Use a brush to clean the extensions

Some lash cleansers also come with a round, small brush designed exclusively to help you clean your lashes. A brush makes the cleaning much easier and prevents you from pulling out lashes while cleaning.

If the lash cleanser that you are using doesn’t come with a brush then you can use your ring finger instead. But while cleaning the extensions with your ring finger, be careful to avoid pulling on your lashes.

Pour a tiny amount of Lash cleanser into the palm of your hand. Then, add 3-4 drops of water. Swirl the finger or brush around in the mixture to foam it up a little.

Then, slowly and gently rub the cleanser with the help of the brush or finger over your lashes, working your way downwards from the lash line. Keep your eyes closed while doing this.

Rinse, dry, and then brush your lash extensions

Once you’ve done cleansing one eye, gently splash your eye with lukewarm or cool water to remove the cleanser residue. Then, repeat the same process on the other eye.

Once both eyes are clean, take an ultra-soft towel and gently pat the area around the eyes, but don’t dry your lashes with that towel. Let them air dry.

After your lashes are completely dry, brush them slowly and gently with a clean spoolie brush. Start at the roots and work your way to the tips. This will keep them detangled and make them look fluffy and nice.

What to Avoid When Washing Your Lash Extensions?

There are a couple of things that you must know when you are washing your lash extension. These are;

• No Makeup Wipes: Using Makeup wipes for cleaning can be convenient, but they are not good for cleaning lash extensions. The reason is that the oils, glycols, and emollients present in the makeup wipes can affect your Lash extension adhesiveness which eventually makes your extension fall out. So, avoid using them at all costs.
• No Cotton Buds/Sponges/ Clothes on Lashes: Cotton buds are suitable only for cleaning underneath your lash extension line or near it. But using cotton buds directly on the lashes for cleaning is a straight red flag. Thus, you must not use a cotton bud, cloth piece, or sponge for lash cleaning purposes if you don’t want your lashes to rip off.
• Don’t Tug at Lashes: the second precaution you must follow while cleaning lash extensions is to be very gentle and careful. Your lash extensions are fragile, so aggressive cleaning will do no good to them.
• No Oils: Oil or oil-based products are a great enemy for your lash extension. Whether it’s coconut oil, mineral oil, vegetable oil, or any other oil-based cleaning product, avoid using it. If you do, then your extension’s adhesiveness will wear out, and your lashes will fall out early.
• Avoid High-pressure water: Running a high-pressure shower head on your face can harm your lash extensions. So, also avoid such action.
• Avoid Steam: Steam face cleansers, facials, steam rooms, and even saunas where you have direct exposure to steam can weaken the adhesiveness of your lash extensions. So avoid steam-related places and products after you have got your lash extensions.
• Avoid Mascara and Eyeliner: Lash extensions are already enough to give volume to your lashes. If you are still applying mascara or eyeliner, then this is the time to stop applying it. The reason is that more makeup layers on extensions can put stress on them and make them fall out way earlier than their general time. However, if you still want to use mascara, then apply it only on the tips of the lashes. Also, remember to use mascara that is not waterproof.

Other Helpful Tips for Cleaning Lash Extensions

Let yourself know about useful tips that will be of great help when you are cleaning your lash extension:

• Using lash conditioning serum on your lash extensions is a great way to keep your lashes healthy and good-looking.
• Using silk or satin pillowcases can avoid snagging or tearing of your extensions.
• Avoid using eyelash curlers.
• You should only go for the recommended products for lash extensions when cleaning them.
• When applying eyeliner on your upper lid, don’t use cream-based eyeliner.

How to get a Shower With Eyelash Extensions?

As we had said above, do not use high-pressure water on your extensions, but it does not mean you have to fear taking showers. You can still take showers casually, but there are a few things that you should follow for healthy and good-looking extensions.

First is to avoid directly having your face in the water flow. It’s better to keep your face away during a shower. If you have the habit of washing your face while in the shower then you have to alter such a habit. You can wash your face afterward to keep your extensions in good shape.

The second thing is to avoid showers that are very steamy and hot. As we have said earlier, steam can greatly affect the adhesive property of your lash extensions; thus taking steamy showers will make your extensions fall out.

Takeaways on cleaning eyelash extensions

A proper cleaning routine is necessary to maintain the nicer look of your lash extensions. Here are some things that you should keep in mind;

• Dirt on your lash extension is not good as it can weaken the adhesive bond. So keep your extensions clean.
• If you keep your extensions dirty for a long time, then bacteria can stick to the dirt, which can further lead to infections and inflammation.
• If you want to have nicer, fluffy, and long-lasting lash extensions, then following a proper cleaning routine is a must.
• In your regular lash cleaning routine, you should use an oil-free and alcohol-free lash cleanser and a proper lash cleaning brush.
• You should invest in a quality foaming lash cleanser to protect, cleanse, and nourish your lashes effectively.

FAQs

Can I wear mascara with my extensions?

The main purpose for getting lash extensions is to have thicker, darker, and longer lashes. Lash extensions perform the same or better function than mascara for a longer period. So why even bother yourself by applying mascara on it?

Applying a layer of mascara on your extensions can weigh it up, plus the ingredients in mascara can also damage the eyelash adhesive. So even if you still want to use mascara on your lash extension then avoid using oil-based mascara and apply it only on the lash tips.

Can I wear glasses or contact lenses with my eyelash extensions?

Definitely, you can still wear your contact lenses or glasses with your eyelash extensions.

I seem to have lost many lashes in a short time – what’s going on?

Usually, the regular fall of 3-5 lashes is natural. Eyelashes fall out and regenerate in their whole growing cycle. But if you are losing more lashes than the normal limit within the first week of having your lash extensions, then you should look for the cause as;

• If you are rubbing your eyes aggressively or have poor-quality lash extensions cleanser, then these can be the reasons for your extensions falling out.
• Having health concerns like anemia can also play a role in losing eyelashes greatly.

Can I have a facial done while wearing lash extensions?

You can have a facial with your lash extensions on, but the point worth mentioning here is that your lash extensions don’t bear heat and steam. So, avoid steam while having your facial done. 

Can I use eye drops and creams with my eyelash extensions?

You can use eye drops with your lash extension as it is a recommended option. However, using cream can be something that is not recommended. The reason is that creams have oils that can break the adhesive bond in your extensions, which can further cause extension loss or clumping.