Hey cutie! If you’re reading this, I bet you’re in one of two situations. 1) you want eyelash extensions, but you’re worried that there could be some complications. 2) you already have eyelash extensions and you’re experiencing said complications. I’m going to give you the lowdown on the different eye infections that you might see, and how to deal with them.
When the eye or surrounding area is exposed to certain bacteria or organisms, eye infections can occur. These aren’t caused by the extensions themselves, but sometimes having eyelash extensions can make you more vulnerable to infections. Some of these things don’t mean you can’t still go in for your fill…but if you’re experiencing some of these things, you might want to see a doctor!
Allergic Conjunctivitis
This is just a fancy term for allergies. You have eye allergies when your eyes are exposed to things like dust, pollen, pets, etc. Most of the time, you just get red, itchy, watery eyes. It’s common, and usually it’s okay to proceed with lash extensions, as long as you know that there’s a chance they might be more irritated after the appointment. Another issue could be retention, if your eyes are watering during the appointment. If this is the case, the glue might not hold as well. Over all, this isn’t an infection per se, just a case of itchy eyes.
Blepharitis
This one could be directly related to your lash extension aftercare. We stress hygiene for a reason, babe! We always tell you to wash your lashes, and this is why. Blepharitis is when the actual lash follicles are red and inflamed. Not washing your lashes leads to buildup and mites, which can irritate the follicles. If you think you have this, don’t get your lashes done. You need to wait until your eyes heal, because the lash extension process will just irritate them further.
Conjunctivitis
Two words. Pink eye. No one wants this, and it’s highly contagious. This isn’t caused by lash extensions (unless you’re going to a salon with really bad cleanliness, and in that case, it’s the salon, not the extensions themselves), but bacteria that causes the eye to turn pink or red. We all know that pink eye spreads in the blink of an eye (hehe), so let’s reschedule that fill and go get some antibiotics.
Demodex Folliculorum
You may have heard of these before. They’re commonly called eyelash mites. They live inside dirty pores, which is why they can be found if you have blepharitis (inflamed follicles). Gross. No one wants bugs in their lashes, so wash your extensions! These also spread really easily, so if you think you have them, start practicing a better hygiene routine before your next fill.
Stye
A stye is a bacterial infection of the sebaceous glands, causing a red, painful bump or inflamed area of the eye. Styes can occur when the hair follicle is clogged and irritated. Although not contagious, styes require hot compresses in order to clear up. We suggest that you not have your lashes done while you have a stye, because it will just cause more discomfort to you!
It’s always better to be safe than sorry, not only for your sake but for the other clients at your salon and your lash artist! The sure fire way to best avoid these things is to keep your lashes clean by washing them at least once a day. The best thing about this? You save time and money because your lashes will last longer!