As a general rule of thumb, many lash experts recommend taking a break every 6-9 months, especially if you've been wearing extensions continuously. Given that the natural lash growth cycle from start to finish can range from 3 to 4 months, individual lashes are at different stages of this cycle at any given time.
It's generally recommended to give your lashes a break from extensions every 4 to 6 weeks. This allows your natural lashes to recover and prevents potential damage or thinning. However, the exact timing can vary based on individual lash health and how well you care for them.
During regular appointments, your extensionist should monitor for signs of damage and provide guidance on proper aftercare to minimise damage. If your stylist notices any signs of hair stress, such as thinning, breakage, or increased shedding, it's worth considering a longer break, typically at least three months.
Wearing false eyelashes every day can be okay for some people, but there are several factors to consider: Eye Health: Prolonged use of false eyelashes can lead to irritation, allergic reactions, or infections if they are not applied or removed properly.
If you let them grow out they will annoy the hell out of you, aggravate your natural lashes and might even irritate your eyes. Be VERY polite to your eyelash technician, offer to pay extra for removal and explain your reasons for removal.
Properly applied eyelash extensions can be worn indefinitely – as long as the lash extension applied is the correct length, weight and thickness for your natural lashes, there's absolutely no reason why they would be damaged.
While the adhesive can cause damages that are often temporary, the weight of the individual lashes, if they are too heavy for your natural lashes “Can cause premature shedding of the natural lash and may have an effect on your ability to grow lashes from those follicles.”
Eyelash extensions and false lashes aren't without risks to consider. Incorrectly applying lashes or using the wrong adhesive can lead to discomfort, infection, or permanent lash loss. They require diligent care to avoid potential damage to your eyes.
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.
Hybrid lashes, which are sometimes called a "mixed set," have a fuller look than classic lashes but aren't as uniform as a Russian volume set. This method is perfect for people who want more drama than classic lashes but don't want the fullness of volume lashes.
Tip 3 Pick Your Best Time for Lash Extensions Fills
You may need a fill as early as 2 weeks or you may be able to go as far out as 4 weeks before you need a fill appointment. For most people, full sets last an average of 4 weeks before they are mostly gone. The most common wear time is 3 weeks in between fills.
The longest lashes are put in the middle of the eye and you can use as many different lengths as you want, they are to be placed equally both sides of the longest section. For example if you start with 8mm in the inner corners, you should lash the outer corner also with an 8mm.
To ensure natural lashes recover from constant eyelash extension use, eyelash extensions should be removed every six to eight months 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.
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.
Here are some reasons why lashes may get shorter after extensions: Stickies: Poor application where multiple lashes or extensions are glued together can create tension between lashes, causing them to fall out prematurely and resulting in a thinner lash line.
As a general rule of thumb, many lash experts recommend taking a break every 6-9 months, especially if you've been wearing extensions continuously. Given that the natural lash growth cycle from start to finish can range from 3 to 4 months, individual lashes are at different stages of this cycle at any given time.
In practice, the difference means that If you suffer damage to your eyelashes from lash extensions, it'll take around 16 weeks of regrowing before you have your lashes back again.
It's a myth that lash extensions ruin your eyelashes. Lash extensions should be applied to your natural lashes and fall off when they do. Your eyelashes have a natural growth cycle where they grow to a certain length and then fall off once they've reached their maximum length.
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].
It may even temporarily interfere with vision. Eyelash extensions and glue are not currently regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Rubbing, tugging or pulling can fracture your natural lashes, and even cause permanent damage to the eyelash follicle.
“That doesn't mean you have to remove them; you can also just wear them until they all cycle off,” Shirai says. Typically they last around three to four weeks, but don't be surprised if you find yourself back for refills before then.
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.
Fake lashes and lash treatments
According to Grand View Research, the global false eyelashes market reached USD 1.89 billion in 2024 and is growing at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2025 to 2030.
Eyelash extensions typically need to be removed after two or three weeks after their application. This time period is generally how long a growth cycle for natural eyelashes is. By this time, it's natural to see your extensions grown out and you might have even noticed a few have fallen out.