Rubbing or pulling at the extensions can injure your natural lashes and possibly even the hair follicle. Damaged hair follicles may not grow new eyelashes easily and can lead to long-term (or even permanent) bald spots along your lash line.
Lash extensions, if too heavy or applied incorrectly, can lead to breakage, thinning, or even loss of natural lashes over time. On the other hand, proponents of lash extensions often highlight the benefits when applied correctly, including enhancing volume and length without the need for mascara.
This means that if your eyelashes are damaged from lash extensions, it will take approximately 16 weeks for them to fully regrow. Made of keratin, the same protein found in hair, eyelashes play a crucial role in protecting the eyes from debris and dust.
Extensions are applied to your natural lashes, and they shed as part of your lash's natural growth cycle. If you removed your extensions after 4 weeks, it's possible you're seeing shorter baby lashes that are just starting to grow in.
There's no hard-and-fast rule about how much time you should spend sans extensions, but we'd recommend at least a month. This gives your lash cycle time to reboot itself, with those baby lashes growing through nice and strong. It also gives any lash serums a chance to really work their magic!
Don't worry; it's pretty common to see some lashes come loose after a new set. Your natural lashes undergo a regular shedding cycle where old lashes fall out, and new ones grow in their place – something that is completely normal and part of having healthy lashes.
Typically, the eyelash cycle sticks to six weeks. As time passes, you will notice that certain areas along the lash line are becoming sparse. You can 'refill' these areas with new lash extensions, or you can wait for your natural eyelashes to grow out and let the lash extensions fall out naturally.
Since Vaseline is made purely of petroleum jelly, and petroleum jelly does not aid in eyelash growth, it is safe to say that Vaseline itself does not help your eyelashes grow. The benefits of vaseline on your eyelashes are limited to: Locking in moisture. Gentle on skin.
Cons of eyelash extensions
"The worst I've seen (with eyelash extensions) are severe allergic reactions to the glue. ... It can cause a lot of pain, swelling, even blurry vision," says Brissette. If severe blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) occurs, the eyes can swell shut, the experts note.
Best lash serum overall
As mentioned above, Latisse is the only FDA-approved eyelash-enhancing serum. “It does work. It takes about eight weeks of nightly use,” says Dr. Russo.
Eyelash extensions are a widely accepted technique to enhance the appearance of the eyes and face, but they have some drawbacks. The most prevalent of these side effects include chemical conjunctivitis [6], allergies, pain, dermatitis, and conjunctivitis [7].
Nailheads. Nailheads occur when extensions are mistakenly glued onto the skin of the eyelid instead of the natural lashes. This blocks natural lash growth, leading to shorter and stubbier outcomes.
Generally, it can take up to 60-90 days for eyelashes to regrow after extensions. However, the exact duration may vary depending on the health of your natural lashes and the proper application and removal of the eyelash extensions. The average lifespan of an eyelash is approximately three months.
If your extensions are too heavy, they can cause your eyelash shaft to break. This causes the appearance of short lashes. Improper removal techniques can also cause shaft breakage, leading to shorter-looking lashes until they naturally grow back.
Despite hair being pulled out, healthy hair follicles will continue to grow hair. So, new eyelashes should slowly regrow and replace pulled-out hairs within a few months. However, in severe cases, hair follicles can be damaged, and the hair may never grow back.
We recommend that you have a short break of 1-2 months from eyelash extensions at least once a year to allow the eyelid line to be thoroughly cleansed after the months of make-up build-up and bacteria, and also for the natural lashes to grow and thicken.
The application of excessively long or thick extensions can result in an increase in the loss of natural eyelashes. This occurs because the weight of the extensions stresses the natural lashes, causing them to deteriorate over time.
Lash extensions in and of themselves won't ruin your natural lashes. Those short, stubby lashes that you see pictures of that people say were caused by their lash extensions? Those are actually caused by inexperienced lash technicians who made mistakes during the application process.
1. How often should I take a break from hair extensions? It's recommended to take a break every 2-3 months, depending on the type of extensions and the health of your natural hair.
Leaving eyelash glue on for extended periods can lead to potential damage. It may cause irritation, and the continuous pull and weight on the natural lashes can weaken them over time.