Yes, eye drops can be safely used with eyelash extensions without affecting their retention as long as they are used more than 4 hours before or after the appointment.

However, some brands contain incompatible ingredients that could deteriorate the lash adhesive. The best ones for lash extensions are:

• Refresh tears
• Visine
• Naphcon-A

In this article, I’ll go a little nerdy and explain why certain ingredients are good or bad for your extensions and provide a list of which eye drops can be used safely and which ones to steer clear of.

Ingredient Analysis

The secret to finding a compatible eye lubricant is to look at the ingredient list. It can be a little intimidating at first, but here’s a quick list of safe and unsafe ingredients.

By “unsafe” I simply mean that the ingredient can adversely interfere with the glue that’s used to affix the extension to the natural lash which could result in poor retention of the extensions. It has nothing to do with their medical efficacy or risk profile.

Ingredients in eye drops that are unsafe for eyelash extensions:

• Glycols like Polyethylene glycol and Propylene glycol
• Glycerin
• Oils like mineral oil and soybean oil
• Natural phospholipids
• Polyvinyl alcohol

Polyethylene glycol and Propylene glycol aren’t best for the lifespan of false lashes as they break the bond of the lash glue. While glycerin is different from glycols in chemical structure, it can also lead to premature fallout of lashes.

We already know oils are strictly forbidden for lash extension wearers. Hence, be on guard because a large number of lubricants contain mineral and soybean oil.

Natural phospholipids are another type of natural oil that you should watch out for to prevent lash retention issues.

Lastly, alcohol-based eye drops such as those containing Polyvinyl alcohol are also extremely drying around fake lashes.

Ingredients in eye drops that are safe for lash extensions:

• Carboxymethylcellulose
• Antihistamines
• Steroids
• Povidone

Best Eye Drops for Eyelash Extensions

With so many types of options to choose from to lubricate your eyes,¹ it can be hard to finally make a decision. I’m sure there are many others, but here I’ve listed my favorite ones that my clients or myself have used and that I know are safe to use with lash extensions.

1- Refresh Tears

2- Blink Tears

3- Naphcon-A

Eye Drops to Avoid

Here are a few examples of products that are not compatible with your lash extensions. They are not bad products by any means, just not in the context of extensions.

• Systane Balance: Contains mineral oil.
• Soothe XP: Contains light mineral oil and mineral oil.
• Retaine MGD: Contains light mineral oil and mineral oil.

How To Apply

Step One: Before Application

• Clean and dry your lashes.
• You (or the person applying drops) must wash your hands.
• Lay down and find a comfortable position so the drop doesn’t fall into your lashes.

Step Two: Application

The right way to apply the drop is directly on the surface of the eye. Take care not to apply it around your eyes. In short, nothing should touch the lash line at all. The same goes for the dropper, as it prevents contamination.

Additionally, remember not to close your eyes. This will prevent the liquid drops from coming into contact with lash extensions.

Step Three: After the Application

• Don’t put more than one drop in an eye.
• If you need to apply more than one drop or two different drops, wait for three to five minutes before applying the next one. This will prevent the drops from overflowing and settling on your lash line.
• Dab off the extra liquid from around the eyes by blotting with a lint-free material in gentle motions. This will prevent them from seeping into your lashes. In short, don’t leave it damp around the lash line.

4 Hours Wait Period

It’s best to wait at least 4 hours after getting your lashes done before using your eye drops. This way, the medicine won’t interfere with the curing process of the lash adhesive.

Why is this important?

Using the product beforehand can overly moisten your lashes, hindering the glue from bonding correctly to your natural lashes during the session.

This same principle applies to adhering to the 4-hour waiting rule after your lash appointment. The glue needs to cure completely first.

References

1. Dr. Kren Kreidl (2020). A Guide to Ingredients in Over-the-Counter Eye Drops. Retrieved from https://www.bouldermedicalcenter.com/6652-2/ (Accessed on 19 February 2021)