I always tell my clients that they shouldn’t feel their lash extensions at all and that it’s a completely painless procedure.

If they do, they should tell me right away.

Pain is a symptom that something is not right and should be addressed immediately.

That’s why I wrote this article, sharing the 10 most common reasons why your extensions might be hurting you.

And more importantly, what to do about it.

Reason #1: Extensions Too Close to the Eyelid

The extension should be adhered to the natural eyelash ONLY.

It should never be glued to the eyelid skin.

If it is, it would be very painful when the natural lash grows out and pulls on the extension.

It also blocks the hair follicle.

We call this a “nailhead”.

It’s the lash tech’s responsibility to know what she’s doing here.

Reason #2: Too Much Adhesive

If your lash tech applies too much adhesive, it’s problematic for several reasons.

First, more adhesive means more weight on your natural lashes.

Balancing the right length and diameter of an extension to ensure the natural eyelash can support the weight is an art.

But if the extension is soaked in adhesive, it will be too heavy and this can cause premature shedding over time (more on that in a second).

Second, if too much adhesive is used, the lash tech risks attaching the extension to more than one natural lash.

This is a sin.

We call this a “sticky” in the industry.

It’s terrible because as one eyelash grows out, it will pull on the other surrounding eyelashes that are stuck with it.

You’ll feel the discomfort.

Third, the more adhesive is used, the more formaldehyde fumes are released.

This is the number one culprit for allergic reactions.

The solution?

Sadly, there’s not much you can do as a client except making sure you go to a reputable lash artist.

Reason #3: Too Heavy

Your natural lashes can only support a certain amount of weight, depending on how healthy they are.

That’s why your lash tech will carefully select the right extension’s length and thickness.

But, if a mistake is made, you’ll feel this extra weight, and it may damage your lashes over time.

Reason #4: One Extension to Multiple Eyelashes

We call this a “sticky”.

It’s a very common mistake I see from new lash technicians.

They accidentally glue one extension to multiple eyelashes.

Why?

Simply because the isolation technique wasn’t perfect.

And the result?

Not only does it look bad, it will cause pain and shedding.

If an eyelash in the sticky is in the growth phase, it will pull on the other ones, creating a tension and pulling sensation.

Again, a good lash artist would skillfully avoid this.

Reason #5: Allergic Reaction

Your extensions are affixed to your natural lashes using a medical-grade adhesive using an ingredient called ‘cyanoacrylate’.

When the adhesive cures, it releases very little amount of formaldehyde fumes.

Most people don’t have any symptoms from it, and the exposure time is short.

However, some do.

If you do, you’ll experience redness, irritation, and swelling.

To avoid it, the only thing you can do is ask for a “patch test” where your lash tech will apply a few extensions to see how you’ll react.

An allergic reaction is not something you can control.

If you experience one, you must have your extensions removed immediately and consult a doctor.

Reason #6: Twisted Extensions

If your lash extensions are twisted and clumped together, you might feel an uncomfortable pulling sensation.

This is because the extensions are pulling in different directions.

The simple solution here is to brush your lashes daily with a clean spoolie.

Reason #7: Rubbing or Scrubbing

When you rub your eyes for any reason (removing makeup, allergies, tiredness, crying, etc.), you are also rubbing against your extensions.

This causes friction, which can lead to irritation and make your extensions fall off prematurely.

To avoid this, it’s important to be gentle when touching or cleaning around your eye area.

I always recommend using oil-free makeup that’s easy to remove and just practicing general mindfulness around your eyes.

Reason #8: Infection

A bacterial infection like a stye looks like a pimple. It can cause pain and often comes with redness alongside the edge of the eyelids.¹

The best way to minimize the risk of infection is to keep a clean lash line.

Make sure to cleanse your extensions daily with a lash shampoo specially formulated for them.

Reason #9: Corneal Abrasion

If your extensions end up scratching the cornea, corneal abrasion may occur.

This serious problem is the result of excessive glue and extensions that poke and scratch the cornea upon shedding because they are too long or applied improperly.²

Reason #10: Opening Your Eyes

I always tell my clients to close their eyes during the appointment.

That’s because we don’t want to risk any adhesive getting into your eyes.

Additionally, it protects you against the formaldehyde fumes.

If you accidentally open your eyes, you may feel a slight burning sensation from the fumes that should go away quickly.

Why We Care

The key takeaway here is that pain is not normal — it’s a symptom that needs to be investigated.

Truth be told, the majority of cases are caused by a poor application technique.

So, don’t be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

You can have beautiful lashes that feel completely natural, like this beautiful lady below (sorry for the shameless plug 😊).

If you need anything, drop a comment below explaining your type of pain, and I’ll be happy to help.

— Asako

Want to visit our salons? Book an appointment with our Montreal or Toronto locations or e-mail us: contact@divinelashes.ca.
Ready to master lash artistry? Take a look at our online or in-person courses here.
Need lash supplies? Visit our shop here.

Additional readings:

References

1. Mayo Clinic. (2022, June 14). Stye (sty) symptoms & causes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stye/symptoms-causes/syc-20378022
2. Rebecca L. Forand (2020). Risks for injury, irritation and infection associated with eyelash extensions can be minimized. https://www.healio.com/news/ophthalmology/20200213/risks-for-injury-irritation-and-infection-associated-with-eyelash-extensions-can-be-minimized