- Eyelash extensions are a relatively safe procedure, but reactions can still happen, according to experts.
- These reactions are usually due to irritation or an allergy to the eyelash glue, esthetician Ashlee Rexroth said.
Eyelash extensions are a fairly safe procedure, according to experts, but there are some instances where they can go wrong — like in this case, where an Ohio waitress was left with "zombie eyes," the New York Post reported.
To stay safe, there are 3 important red flags to look out for before you get them done, according to esthetician Ashlee Rexroth and optometrist Dr. Tatevik Movsisyan.
Before the procedure, make sure you are working with a licensed esthetician, consider getting an eyelash "patch test," and ensure your practitioner has properly sanitized the tools, according to experts.
Your esthetician should have a license
Always make sure you're going to a licensed esthetician before you get eyelash extensions, Rexroth said. In most states, it's required by law to put your license certificate on the wall, she said, so look for it before getting the procedure. She said a licensed esthetician won't be offended if you ask either.
In some states, she said, you don't need any training or only need to take a short course to perform the procedure. While clients should always have their eyes closed when getting extensions, someone who is not properly trained might push too hard on the lower lid and open it, she said. This can allow fumes from the glue or the glue itself to get in the eye, which can cause irritation.
Dr. Movsisyan said she had one patient who got glue in their eye, which the esthetician tried to remove with forceps and injured the cornea. She said this is a very serious injury and should be treated immediately.
Make sure your esthetician is taking proper precautions
Rexroth said to look around the room before you get eyelash extensions for cleanliness. A good esthetician, she said, will have a relaxing, clean space. A messy workspace might reflect that they're not thoroughly sanitizing their tools, she said, which can cause eye infections.
The esthetician should also use a handheld fan on your lashes before allowing you to open your eyes, she said, in order to clear away the fumes from the glue, which can also irritate your eyes.
She said some estheticians will even have air purifiers set up for this reason, but this is an extra precaution and not entirely necessary.
Get an eyelash "patch test" if you're prone to allergies
Movsisyan said an allergy to cyanoacrylate, the glue used to adhere the eyelashes, can cause reactions in some.
If you're a person that has allergies to substances, especially glue, you can usually ask your esthetician to do an eyelash "patch test," she said.
The process involves putting only a few lashes on and waiting a couple of days to see if you have a reaction before finishing the procedure.
Rexroth said at the end of the day, the risk of having a bad reaction is low. She said she's been doing extensions for a few years, and has only had one client that had a reaction, which could have also been related to seasonal allergies, she said. A study published in Scientific Reports found that around 2% to 3% of patients had an allergy to cyanoacrylate.
Movsisyan said she's seen a handful of patients come in with reactions related to eyelash extensions. While she said she thinks the procedure is relatively safe, she would not recommend getting it done regularly.