Can You Reuse Eyelash Extensions? (Without Damage)

Eyelash extensions aren’t cheap; period. Given the investment, perhaps you’re wondering about ways to save on the costs of getting lash extensions.

One of such ways might be to reuse your lash extensions. But is this even feasible?

Read on to find out which type of false eyelashes can be reused and how many times.

Let’s get started!

Can You Reuse Eyelash Extensions?

There are 4 reasons explain why eyelash extensions can’t be reused:

#1 It’s Impossible to Collect Them

Eyelash extensions aren’t removed at the end of the day. They fall out gradually with your natural lashes within two to four weeks.

That’s why a majority of lash extension wearers book refill sessions in three weeks (check out our research on how often clients come for lash refills here).

This doesn’t mean all eyelashes are shed at the same time. Most eyelashes fall off at different times and you can lose one to five eyelashes per day throughout the growth cycle.

Most people go about their day and never notice when they shed an eyelash. That’s why you can’t go around collecting lash extensions that keep falling off your eyes. You would be lucky to catch one or two eyelash extensions at most!

#2 It’s Unhygienic

When a lash extension is applied to your natural lashes, a specialized adhesive is used.

That’s why if you decide to remove the lash extension prematurely or catch a fallen one, cleaning up is a daunting task afterward. From the remnants of glue to dirt, dust, and grime, many things can creep into an eyelash extension.

Because eyes are unbelievably sensitive to infections, you need to use clean and hygienic makeup products to avoid medical problems like dryness, swelling, redness, and conjunctivitis.

#3 They Naturally Tear

Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent and can last several weeks. With natural wear and tear, lash extensions eventually get less fresh than their brand-new counterpart.

When you’re rubbing, washing, sweating, cooking, cleaning, sleeping, bathing, and doing other activities while wearing extensions for weeks, it often loses its initial integrity.

After the lash extension sheds with natural eyelashes, some of the integrity of an extension goes off, unlike a brand new one. Besides cosmetic reasons, a reused lash extension might have a lower lifespan too.

#4 There’s No Value

You don’t need to reuse lash extensions to make it worthwhile. It stays for weeks on end and not just for a few days like strip lashes. Once it falls, it no longer behaves like a new lash and thus offers the least value for money.

Moreover, you can’t reapply a lash extension without an eyelash technician even if you manage to collect a large number of them. Besides, I have yet to meet a lash technician who would agree to apply used lash extensions.

The real value of lash extensions is not the material per se, but the very precise and qualified professional work required to apply them.

What Happens if You Reuse Eyelash Extensions?

If you start reusing your lash extensions, you will quickly notice a few things:

• It takes an enormous amount of time to pick up every extension that falls off.
• You will have to carefully wash each individual extension.
• You will notice that the extensions will start to look dull and brittle over time.

Personally, I’ve never ever heard of anyone attempting to reuse their lash extensions. It’s simply not worth the time and money you’d have to invest into it in order to make them look decent.

Now, not all types of false lashes are made for the same purpose and from the same type of materials.

We have already stated that eyelash extensions are not reusable, but what about false lashes (strip lashes) or cluster lashes?

Let’s find out

Can You Reuse Fake Eyelashes?

It’s important to know that the false eyelash market is generally divided into three main categories:

1. Strip lashes
2. Cluster or flare lashes
3. Individual Lashes

Strip Lashes (False Lashes)

Strip lashes are temporary and daily-use lashes made to be applied and removed in one swift motion. As the name implies, strip lashes are lash fibers that are attached to a band that is then glued to the skin above the lash line.

So, how many times can you reuse false lashes?

Strip lashes made of synthetic fibers can be reused up to three times if you clean them well.^[1] Mink falsies, on the other hand, can be reused 20 times with thorough aftercare.^[2]

On the other hand, strip lashes with self-adhesive bands are disposable and should not be reused.

Cluster or Flare Lashes

Flares and cluster lashes can be reused if you remove them instead of letting them shed naturally.

However, because cluster lashes are glued directly to the natural lashes, proper care must be taken when removing them to maintain the health of the natural lashes.

Having said that, cluster lashes can add significant weight to your lashes which can cause damage. I wrote an entire article on why cluster lashes are damaging for your lashes.

Individual Eyelash Extensions

Lash extensions are not reusable. They are sequentially applied one by one to natural lashes using a specialized lash adhesive.

The extension falls out when the natural lash on which it is attached sheds which may take a few weeks. In most cases, you will not even notice the loss of an eyelash.

Even when a lash tech makes a mistake with a lash extension, the used lash extension almost always goes to the trash rather than being reused.

You can clean and reuse mascara wands but lash extensions are always applied fresh and out of the lash tray.

References

1. Tymia Yvette (2020). Here’s How to Clean Your False Eyelashes the Right Way. Retrieved from https://greatist.com/live/how-to-clean-your-false-eyelashes (Accessed on 28 March 2021)
2. L’Oreal Paris How to Clean and Reuse False Eyelashes. Retrieved from https://www.lorealparisusa.com/beauty-magazine/makeup/eye-makeup/how-to-clean-false-lashes.aspx (Accessed on 28 March 2021)