I remember the first time I got a lash lift, my first thought was “Wow, my lashes look incredible!” I was amazed by how much longer and more voluminous they appeared.

But then came the inevitable question: will this ruin my lashes?

Since then, I became certified in this procedure and performed hundreds of lash lifts for my clients. So I wanted to set the record straight and give you the honest truth about lash lifts and possible damages.

So, do lash lifts ruin your eyelashes?

Lash Lifts do not ruin your eyelashes when performed correctly. However, If not done by a certified technician specializing in treatments around the eye area, there can be negative consequences for your natural lashes.

Sometimes it is better to know the side effects of a procedure and how to prevent them. A lash lift can be as fantastic as most people claim, but knowing the risks and what to look for can minimize the chance of ruining your eyelashes.

Let’s get started!

How Can Lash Lifts Ruin Your Eyelashes

Lash lifts can give you more freedom and confidence if the result is what you want. Unfortunately, it can also lead to ruined eyelashes when the technician doesn’t do certain things correctly during this 60-minute treatment.

There are a few things that can go wrong during the appointment and cause damage to your natural lashes.

Let’s review them.

1- Leaving the Perming Solution Too Long

Leaving the lash lift solution on for too long can ruin your lashes. The solution contains chemicals that break down the proteins in your lashes, making them weaker and more likely to fall out.

In addition, the solution can also cause irritation and inflammation. If you leave the solution on for too long, you may experience redness, swelling, and even blistering.

So, it’s important to follow the directions carefully and only leave the solution on for the recommended amount of time. Otherwise, you could end up with damaged lashes that are more prone to falling out.

2- Over-Curled Lashes

A lash lift can overly curl your lashes when the technician uses the wrong shield or rod size for your natural lashes.

Why is that?

You see, what gives the curl to your lashes is the shape of the shield or rod. The technician will choose a size based on the length and thickness of your natural lashes.

If the shield is too small for your lashes, it will curl them too much. And if the shield is too big, it won’t curl them enough.

This problem is more common with a lash perm rather than a lash lift because a lash perm will really curl the eyelashes tightly around a cylinder rod.

3- Eye Irritation

Eye irritation is another common side effect of lash lifts. This can happen if the technician gets the solution in your eyes or if you have sensitive skin.

If you experience irritation, you may notice redness, itching, and burning. You may also experience watery eyes or a feeling of sand in your eyes.

If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to flush your eyes with water and contact your technician right away.

4- Not Applying the Perming Solution Properly

The perming solution is applied to your lashes in a very specific way. It should only be applied at the root of your lashes (bottom 1/3) and not to the entire length of your lash.

If the solution is applied to the entire lash, it will weaken and damage the lashes.

5- Using an expired Lash Lift Kit

Ok, this one should never happen if you get your lash lift done in a professional salon. However, if you’re into DIY lash lifts, then you need to be extra careful.

You see, the perming solution in the Lash Lift kit expires after 3 months. So, if you use an expired kit, the chemicals won’t work as well and you could end up damaging your lashes.

To avoid this, be sure to check the expiration date on the kit before you use it.

Pro Tip: If you want to DIY your lash lift, make sure to read my article about the best lash lift kits available.

What To Do When I Have A Bad Lash Lift Experience?

An overly processed lash lift can leave you uncertain and feeling defeated—no need to worry. The result of an unsuccessful lash lift is luckily temporary, and you won’t have problems for life. The natural growth of the eyelashes is 4 to 6 weeks after they fall out and new ones grow. 

The best thing to do will be for the technician (or another one if you do not trust the one you used anymore) to relax your lift and not redo it. You can use a lash growth serum or castor oil to improve your lash quality and regrowth. Wait six weeks for the regrowth of your lashes, and then you can try again.

How To Ensure A Successful Lash Lift

You can do certain things to keep your lashes safe and prevent a technician from ruining them. Aftercare is also essential if you want to continue with lash lifts.

Seek A Reputable Lash Lift Technician

There are very few things you can do to ensure a successful lash lift, and you are mainly in the hands of your technician. Thus, you will have to do your research to find a reputable lash lift technician.

Every state has rules about who can perform lash lifts or not. The safest bet would be to do your research and find a certified and licensed practitioner to do lash lifts. California requires dermatologists, barbers, and aestheticians to have a license to perform these treatments. 

You can visit your chosen practitioner’s website and social media pages and look at the reviews. A reputable technician will always find out your history with lash lifts or any lash treatments, your eye sensitivity, and skin diseases you may have had in the past. Visit the salon before you make an appointment and look at their setup and if all hygienic rules are applied. 

To double-check, you can ask for a patch test. This test is to check if you are allergic to the chemicals. If no reaction is visible on your skin after two days, you are safe and can make your appointment. You can also ask for their portfolio of previous lash lifts and see if that is the results you would like.

Keep Your Lashes Healthy Between Treatments

If you go for a lash lift too quickly after your previous one; you might damage your lashes. Experts recommend waiting at least four weeks, but six weeks are better. Here you can make a difference in keeping your lashes healthy and ensure a lash lift doesn’t ruin them.

You can use a lash serum between lash lift treatments, once or twice a day, to keep your lashes strong and healthy. Be sure to start with a serum after 24 to 48 hours after your lash lift to let it set first; otherwise, you might compromise your lash lift effect.

Lash Lifts Damage FAQ

Do Lash Lifts Ruin Your Eyelashes? – Key Takeaways

Lash lifts are not supposed to ruin your lashes. However, if done wrong, it can damage your lashes. If done correctly, you should walk away with beautiful, fluttery lashes.

The damages usually happen because a technician lacks knowledge on how to do a lash lift. Inexperience leads them to use the wrong shield sizes, place them incorrectly, or process the solution for too long.

To prevent your lashes from being ruined, research to find a reputable certified and licensed technician. Look up reviews on their social media pages and ask them for the portfolio of their work.

You can also keep your lashes from ruins by looking after them in between treatments. You can use a serum twice daily and wait 4 to 6 weeks before going for another lash lift.

– Asako