It sounds like the perfect solution. At-home eyelash extensions cost a minimal fee and you can do them yourself. It seems like a really easy alternative to going to the salon for professional eyelash extensions. Unfortunately, at-home eyelash extensions can be incredibly dangerous. 

 

We have a tendency to trust the products we buy from the grocery store or pharmacy, but these products are not necessarily as safe or easy as they claim. Products that sell an adhesive with cyanoacrylate are dangerous when not handled by a professional. 

Cyanoacrylate is the key ingredient used in the medical grade adhesive that binds the extension to the natural lash. If the product touches your eyes or skin, it can burn the skin or cause an allergic reaction. Under a professional’s care, cyanoacrylate is a fantastic adhesive to bond the lashes together, but it is incredibly risky to use without training.

If cyanoacrylate comes in contact with any sort of cotton fibers it will cause an exothermic reaction. These types of products are not safe to use unless you are professionally trained. Many at-home eyelash extension kits won’t reveal their ingredients to you for this reason. If a brand is recommending you keep the adhesive away from your skin, beware of the possible ingredients that will be dangerous for consumer use.

 

Photo Credit to Cassandra Bankson // See the video at “My Lashes Got Waxed Off From This At Home 'Eyelash Extension Kit'”

Many of these eyelash extensions come in clusters that are glued across multiple lashes. This may seem like a simple application process, but eyelashes grow at different rates. Therefore, if you glue a strip of lashes to a lash that isn’t ready to fall out (anagen stage) and one at a telogen (a lash that is ready to fall out), the telogen lash will pull the anagen lash that isn’t ready to leave your lash line yet. Professionals are trained to identify the natural lashes that are safe to apply extensions to, and the use of magnifying glasses help to perfectly isolate natural lashes to avoid disrupting the growth cycle

Too much pressure or pull on the lashes can result in traction alopecia. Traction alopecia can occur when hair is being pulled for a long enough period of time to cause permanent damage. Improperly attached extensions will cause pulling on the lashes over time and may leave you with bald spots in the lash line.

Tugging on the eyelashes can be intensified if the extension is too heavy for the natural lash. For example, a cluster of eyelashes glued to one eyelash will put so much strain on the natural lash that it will cause them to prematurely fall out or breakage.

Additionally, many at-home eyelash extension kits include professional-grade tweezers that feature a sharp point that is usually intended for artists to isolate one eyelash away from its neighbor. Having something so sharp close to the eye, while trying to keep one eye closed, is nearly impossible to safely apply lashes.

 

Photo Credit to Storm Baca // See the video at “DIY Lash Extensions Gone Wrong”

ALWAYS GO WITH A PROFESSIONAL FOR LASH EXTENSIONS

Artists go through intensive education on lash health and design to perfectly customize your set of eyelash extensions. They place one lash extension perfectly for every natural lash. They strategically select what size and length of lash safely fits your natural lashes. Lashing isn't one size fits all business. 

These drug store adhesives can be less durable than the professionals’ and cause premature shedding. Any adhesive without cyanoacrylate won’t have the same staying power as those that contain this bonding agent. At-home lashes claim amazing results with a long life span, but when you factor in their lack of customization and user error, the final look usually ends up less than amazing.

 

Photo Credit to Lauren Erro // See the video at *HONEST REVIEW* Moitie DIY lash extensions
 

 

After looking more in-depth at these claims of easy, healthy, long-lasting DIY lash extensions, it’s hard to find the benefit outweighing the damage. Long story short, keep your natural lashes safe and DO NOT DIY. It’s not worth it.

 

LASH AFFAIR

 

P.S. Lashes feeling lame? Trying to repair damage? Grow strong, HEALTHY lashes by using a growth serum to see results the right way. 

 

Check out the below video to watch our founder Jenelle Paris's hilarious reaction to DIY lashes.