I often get asked by my clients if it is possible to work out with eyelash extensions. Let’s face it, you invest good money in your lash extensions and the last thing you want is to ruin them a few days after getting a new set.
If you’re an active person, it’s likely that you enjoy hitting the gym, doing some hot yoga, or maybe even going for a jog. So you’re probably wondering, do sweat and exercise affect eyelash extensions?
Several of my clients are very active and I can tell you, having eyelash extensions doesn’t mean your active lifestyle must come to a halt if you follow some simple tips.
Let’s get started!
Can You Work Out With Eyelash Extensions?
Working out with eyelash extensions is safe and will not negatively affect their retention as long as you wait 4 hours after your appointment before a workout. This waiting period allows the lash adhesive to completely cure. Once the cure period is over, you can work out without any lash loss if you commit to cleaning them with a safe cleanser afterward.
The curing process draws moisture from the air for the eyelash extension glue to completely set.
However, too much moisture leads to a drying time that is too short. The bond created by the adhesive will be weak and you will experience poor retention of your eyelash extensions.
So, how is this information about the curing process relevant to your workouts?
Because of sweat!
Sweat is mostly water, salt, and oils. While sweating is good for the body[1], it will definitely cause your extensions to fall out if the sweat comes in contact with them during the curing period.
Once the cure period is over, you can exercise without most restrictions.
If you’re taking a brisk walk, there’s nothing to worry about. But, if you’re doing a high-intensity workout with lots of sweating for hours at a stretch, there are a few things to keep in mind for extending the lifespan of your lashes.
Cleaning up after is just one of the things you’ll learn forward in this article. But keep in mind that if you fail to let the lash glue cure completely, it will lead to lash loss and other problems.
Fun Fact: Lash adhesives are made of a compound called cyanoacrylate, just like the popular Super Glue®. You can read my complete guide on lash glues right here!
How to Preserve Lash Extensions During a Workout (7 Tips)
Working out is part of a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, you can’t sacrifice health for beauty. But what if you could still be gorgeous and healthy without compromising on either?
If you follow the tips for working out with lash extensions religiously, you don’t have to worry about false lashes falling out prematurely.
Here are the 7 most important instructions to follow when working out with eyelash extensions.
- Before working out: Avoid putting on creams and sunblocks before a workout. During an intense workout, these products may drip from your forehead to your lashes.
The oil contained in these products will be in contact with your extensions and will cause them to clump up together. This will cause poor retention of the extensions and make them fall sooner. - Rubbing your eyes: During workouts, it’s typical to sweat around the face and even more common to rub off the sweat with a towel afterward. If you have got this habit, stop it after getting lash extensions.
Rubbing harshly or excessively when wearing lash extensions can pull onto it or snag them eventually. Soon, they’ll start falling out too. - Sweating profusely: Another important thing to bear in mind is avoiding excessive sweating while exercising.
If you’re on a high-intensity or challenging workout, the salt in your sweat can be high and it can sediment the lash bond, further leading to lash loss.
You can also reduce salt consumption to secrete less salt through sweat during workouts.[2] - Avoid steam: Steam and saunas are not all good for lash extension wearers. Saunas also keep their temperature around 65 to 80 degrees Celsius[3] and that’s why they can soften and break down lash glue.
Hence, your fake lashes might fall out right when you step out of the sauna. This also means you should avoid hot and humid rooms and settings for working out.
Keep in mind that having a facial with steam also brings on the same effects. - Never use oil: Oily products around the eye area are detrimental to the longevity of eyelash extensions.
You should avoid them even more with an active lifestyle as your extensions may be already weak. Avoid using oil products or oily makeup around the face or eye when you’re going to the gym. - Hot water: If you’re a fan of hot showers, your lash extensions are going to end up suffering. When the hot water falls directly on your lash extensions during a shower, it can end up degrading the bond of lash glue.
You can try to bring down the heat and avoid hot water from falling on your lashes directly by cleaning your face at the sink instead.
Learning how to shower and rinse your hair with lash extensions is a skill you want to master! - Cleaning-up: The last thing to remember without fail is to clean up your lash extensions after workout sessions.
You must always clean up with lash-safe cleansers or shampoos as soon as your workout session is over.
The longer you wait, the more damage salt and oil secreted from sweat will do to your eyelash extensions. Use a snag-free mascara wand after to detangle your extensions too.
Best Exercises to Do With Lash Extensions
The world of lash beauty isn’t limited by sweat. You can wear false lashes while engaging in sports and exercises. When you take good care of your lash extensions while and after working out, you can keep them as long as your natural shedding cycle.
Once the cure period of your eyelash extensions is over, you are free to engage in low-impact exercises. The best activities for lash extension wearers are:
- Swimming
- Pilates
- Walking
- Cycling
- Yoga (non-hot yoga)
- Tai chi
- Dancing
- Weight lifting
- Hiking
Worst Exercises to Do With Lash Extensions
When you’re spending hundreds of dollars for gorgeous eyelashes, chances are that you want them to last for the farthest possible time too. Most exercises are fine for eyelash extensions if you take care of them the right way.
That being said, some exercises are famous for causing poor retention of the extensions.
- Swimming: You can swim in a pool with eyelash extensions as long as you carefully cleanse and dry them after your swim to remove any chlorine and water on your lashes.
Swimming in the ocean can degrade the bond created by lash adhesives because of salt. Unless you are wearing goggles for your extensions, it is best to hold off on the ocean swimming.
If you must swim in the ocean, cleanse your lashes with a cleanser to remove any salt residue. - Kickboxing: In the same way, kickboxing can lead to clumped-up salt, sweat, and oil that can affect the longevity of extensions too.
If you ask your lash tech, they would say the same about HIIT workouts too. - Hot yoga: Many clients can often experience extreme lash loss when they start on new workout regimens.
Hot Yoga is one such exercise that can be detrimental to your new fake lashes. That’s why it’s good to work out near an AC unit if you feel like the room is getting too hot.
Because hot environments can soften the bond created by the lash adhesive (cyanoacrylate-based glue) due to thermal decomposition,[4] it’s not recommended at all.
Moreover, many DIY techniques to remove eyelash extensions at home also combine the same technique of heating up and oil application.
FAQ
Does sweat ruin eyelash extensions?
Sweat won’t ruin your lash extensions themselves but it can weaken the adhesive that binds them to the natural eyelashes. That’s why you have to make sure to clean your lashes after working out.
Can I do hot yoga with eyelash extensions?
No, it’s not recommended to do hot yoga with eyelash extensions as the heat and sweat can cause the adhesive to weaken resulting in premature extension loss.
Can I go to the gym after lash extensions?
You can absolutely go to the gym after eyelash extensions, but it’s important to wait 4 hours after your appointment before engaging in any strenuous physical activity.
Can I run with eyelash extensions?
You can run with lash extensions but make sure to commit to cleaning them with a safe cleanser afterward. This is required to remove any sweat that could reduce the longevity of your lashes.
The Bottom Line
The key takeaway here is that you absolutely can and should continue working out after getting your lashes done.
While sweat can weaken the adhesive bond, it’s hardly an issue if you wait 4 hours after your appointment to start working out. Just remember to cleanse your extensions afterward to help them last longer by removing any oils, dirt, or sweat that may have accumulated.
If you’re wondering if a particular workout is O.K. with your extensions, just leave a message below!
All the love <3
– Asako 🙂
References
- Sarah Rautio (2018). Is sweating good for you? Retrieved from https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/is-sweating-good-for-you (Accessed on 15 June 2021)
- Tim Jewell (2019). Why Is My Sweat Salty? The Science Behind Sweat. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/why-is-sweat-salty (Accessed on 15 June 2021)
- Corey Whelan (2019). How and Why to Use a Sauna. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-use-a-sauna (Accessed on 15 June 2021)
- Tori Crowther (2018). The 1 Workout You Should Avoid If You Have Eyelash Extensions. Retrieved from https://www.popsugar.com/beauty/Why-Dont-My-Lash-Extensions-Last-44938818 (Accessed on 15 June 2021)
