Many eyelash extension wearers might ask themselves if they can wear contacts with lash extensions. In order to preserve your extensions for as long as possible, anything that can come in contact with your eye area is a fair question (mascara, glasses, curler, etc).
With so many of my clients wearing contacts now, these are important questions to think about.
Let’s dive into it!
Can You Wear Contacts With Eyelash Extensions?
Yes, contacts are safe to be worn with lash extensions. The contact lenses don’t interfere with the extensions or the adhesive used to attach them. It’s recommended to remove contacts only during the appointment.
Rest assured, you won’t need to give up your contact lenses in order to have eyelash extensions.
Keep reading because I’ll show you how to put them on and take them off with ease. I’ll also touch on one exception to the rule, and that is while getting your lashes done.
Can You Wear Contacts While Getting Lash Extensions?
No, you shouldn’t wear contacts at your lash appointment because you’ll be required to keep your eyes closed at all times which limits the amount of oxygen and moisture that reaches the eye. This may cause infections over a prolonged period of time.
While getting eyelash extensions during your appointment, you will be asked to keep your eyes closed. Keeping your eyes closed prevents the lash adhesive or fumes from the adhesive from penetrating your eyes.
With their eyes closed and because of the relaxing environment, most of my clients actually fall asleep during their lash appointment!
So how does this relate to contact lenses?
Sleeping with contacts is notoriously bad. Several studies have demonstrated the adverse effects of sleeping with contact lenses.
A cornea in good health requires two important elements to function: moisture and oxygen. Because contact lenses lay on the surface of your eyes, they limit the amount of oxygen and moisture they can get.
When you sleep with contacts, the limitation of oxygen and moisture is accentuated, thus further increasing your risk of eye infection.[1] According to WebMD, sleeping with contacts increases your risk of developing an eye infection by 6 to 8 times.[2]
The most common eye infection is called keratitis. Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea (the transparent layer that covers the iris).[3]
Eye infections can present with the following symptoms:
- Dry sensation in and around the eyes
- Eye redness
- Itchiness and pain on or around the eyes.
- Blurry vision
- Discharge from the eyes
- Light sensitivity
Because I’m aware of these risks, I always recommend my clients to remove their contacts prior to the appointment. Some still decide to keep them on and I respect their choice.
Removing Your Contacts for the Appointment
What if you need your contacts on just to get to your appointment?
We wouldn’t want you to be in danger with blurry vision, or even worse, go to the wrong lash salon! 😉
Once you get to your salon for your lash appointment, your lash stylist will ask you if you prefer to remove your contacts. Many salons provide their customers with eye drops and a disposable case if you don’t have the equipment on you.
Pro Tip: Check out my guide to know which eye drops can be used safely with lash extensions here!
Before removing your contacts, it is recommended to wash your hands in order to remove dirt and oils that could potentially make your eyes uncomfortable during the appointment.
Another option is to remove your contacts at home before the appointment and come with glasses that can be stored easily.
How Long After Lash Extensions Can I Wear Contacts?
You can safely put your contacts back immediately after your lash appointment is completed. There’s no need to wait a certain amount of time if you’re careful when putting your contact lenses in.
How to Put In Contact Lenses With Eyelash Extensions
One of the most basic recommendations to keep your eyelash extensions longer is to simply leave them alone and avoid touching them.
Contact lens wearers don’t have a choice. They need to put them in.
But how do you do it with eyelash extensions?
- Open your eye as wide as possible.
- Use your middle finger (the third one) to gently pull the bottom eyelid down.
- Use your index (second finger) to slowly place the lens over your eyeball.
- Gently release your middle finger, allowing the lens to naturally settle into place.
- Repeat the same steps for your other eye.
The best method to put on contact lenses when having eyelash extensions is to open your eyes as wide as possible and slowly place the lens over your eyeball. This technique prevents any interference with your eyelash extensions.
If you must pull on your eyelid to open your eye wider, pull on the lower eyelid. You should avoid pulling on the top eyelid where eyelash extensions are applied because you risk touching the lashes.
How to Take Out Contacts With Eyelash Extensions
Removing your contacts is very similar to putting them in. Just remember that you want to avoid touching the upper eyelid where the extensions are placed.
- Open your eye as wide as possible.
- Use your middle finger (the third one) to gently pull the bottom eyelid down.
- Use your thumb and index finger to pinch the lens and break the seal.
- Gently remove the lens.
- Repeat the same steps for your other eye.
Contacts vs Glasses
Contacts and glasses each have their own advantages and disadvantages. When it comes to eyelash extensions, the main and only difference will be style limitations.
With contacts, you can go for any style you want. However, glasses might limit you.
As we plan out the styling of your eyelash extensions we need to consider the lengths and curls we’d like to use on you and how your glasses could affect this styling.
If your glasses sit close to your eyes, the chances are that the extensions will hit the glasses. If you wear your glasses further from your face, you most likely won’t encounter a problem with your extensions unless you are looking for a very dramatic look.
But don’t worry, there are ways to work around this!
Check out our article about glasses and eyelash extensions if you want to know more about lash styling choices for glasses wearers.
The Bottom Line
The main takeaway here is that you can safely wear contacts with eyelash extensions. Just be sure to practice caution when removing or putting them in and you’ll be fine!
For the lash appointment only, you should remove your contacts before getting started. This is the only exception! Otherwise, you can go ahead and enjoy beautiful lashes without giving it a second thought.
You could keep your contacts on during the appointment should you prefer to, but I always recommend my clients to remove them. It’s just more conformable and avoids any risk of infection.
If you have any questions or comments please let me know below and I’ll get back to you rapidly.
– Asako 🙂
References
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration (2019). Focusing on Contact Lens Safety. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/focusing-contact-lens-safety (Accessed on 21-8-2021).
- Debbie Koenig (2019). Viral Post Shows Risk of Sleeping in Contacts. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/news/20190508/viral-post-shows-risk-of-sleeping-in-contacts (Accessed on 21-8-2021).
- Kierstan Boyd (2021). Contact Lens-Related Eye Infections. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/contact-lens-related-eye-infections (Accessed on 21-8-2021).
