So you’ve got eyelash extensions but you also experience some dryness which requires additional lubrification. Naturally, you wonder if you can use eye drops while having lash extensions. After all, the last thing you want is to damage your extensions or cause them to fall out prematurely.
With that being said, let’s get started!
Disclaimer: Although I have been doing eyelash enhancement treatments for years, I am not a doctor. All content and information in this post are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your own Medical Provider regarding any questions or concerns you have about your specific health before implementing any recommendations or suggestions from our Website.
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Can You Use Eye Drops With Eyelash Extensions?
Eye drops can be used safely with eyelash extensions. It is recommended to avoid eye drops right before your eyelash appointment and at least four hours after. Moreover, eye drops containing saline, oils, glycols, and glycerin should be avoided when wearing lash extensions to avoid weakening the lash adhesive.
The secret to finding a compatible eye drop 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 that you should look for when selecting an eye drop.
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.
Ingredients in eyedrops that are unsafe for eyelash extensions
- Glycols like Polyethylene glycol and Propylene glycol
- Glycerin
- Oils like mineral oil and soybean oil
- Natural phospholipids
- Saline
- 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 and waxes are strictly forbidden for lash extension wearers. Hence, be on guard because a large number of eye drops contain mineral and soybean oil. Additionally, check eyedrops in gel form, whether it’s oil-based or water-based, before use.
Natural phospholipids are another type of natural oil used in eyedrops that you should watch out for to prevent lash retention issues.
Salt is a great antibacterial substance. However, salt also behaves adversely with eyelash adhesives and dries out your lashes. Moreover, brittle lashes tend to split or break easily. For that very reason, eyedrops with saline solutions are a big no-no for fake lash wearers.
Lastly, alcohol-based eyedrops such as those containing Polyvinyl alcohol are also extremely drying around fake lashes.
Ingredients in eyedrops 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 eye drops that my clients or myself have used and that I know are safe to use with lash extensions.
1- Refresh Tears
Refresh Tears contains 0.5% of Carboxymethylcellulose sodium as its active ingredient. It doesn’t contain any oils that could dissolve the lash glue over time.
2- Visine
Visine is made up of 0.05% Tetrahydrozoline HCl as the active component. It works by constricting the tiny blood vessels at the surface of your eyes. Again, nothing in this composition that could damage your extensions.
3- Naphcon-A
Naphcon-A encompasses Naphazoline hydrochloride (0.025%) and Pheniramine maleate (0.3%). It’s considered an antihistamine since it works by blocking the action of histamine which reduces symptoms like watery eyes and redness. This one is generally best for people with seasonal allergies. So if you suffer from allergies, make sure to use an antihistamine eye drop product.
How Long After Lash Extensions Can I Use Eye Drops?
The best time to use eye drops is 4 hours after getting your lash work done. This way, the medicine won’t interfere with the curing process of the lash adhesive.
For starters, you should not use eye drops before going in for a lash treatment.
Why?
That’s because using eyedrops before treatment can moisten your lashes way too much. It will eventually prevent the glue from adhering to natural lashes correctly during application.
So, instead of applying eye drops beforehand, it’s better to talk with your lash tech first. I say this because most lash techs use nano misters to moisturize your eyes as and when needed.
How To Apply Eye Drops With Eyelash Extensions (Step-by-Step)
While you can apply eyedrops any way you want generally, the rules change once you start wearing lash extensions.
And if you aren’t careful, the wrong application of eyedrops can even wipe out your false lashes!
I’ll share what I tell my clients who use eye drops below so that you can also follow suit and do it right.
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 that the drop doesn’t fall into your lashes.
Step Two: Application
The right way to apply eye drops is directly on the surface of the eye. Take care not to apply it around your eyes. In short, eye drops shouldn’t 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.
Typically, you should apply eye drops day and night or up to three times every day until you’re relieved. That said, ask your doctor about it first. If the doctor’s advice conflicts with the lash tech’s suggestions, make sure to discuss it with the tech before application.
Step Three: After the Application
There are a few things to bear in mind when it comes to aftercare of eyedrops when wearing lashes.
- Don’t put more than one drop in an eye.
- If you need to apply more than one drop or two different eye 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.
The Bottom Line
Eye disorders almost always throw life into disarray. Moreover, the eyes are one of the most sensitive organs in our body. That’s why you should seek immediate medical care if your eye problems are severe or persistent.
That said, most of my clients with sensitive eyes use eye drops after the cure period when getting lashes to prevent any such unpleasant reactions. So, there’s no harm if you have sensitive eyes and want to do the same.
However, make sure to avoid eyedrops with oils, waxes, salts, glycols, glycerin, and alcohol to prevent your lashes from falling out too early.
I hope this guide helped you find the answer you’re looking for.
To be honest, this article has been almost a year in the making because I wanted to be super-thorough with the medical information we are quoting.
While I’m not a doctor, I can provide honest responses as a lash tech from my experience if you’re still doubtful about which eye drops to use with eyelash extensions.
So, fire away your questions below!
– Asako 🙂
Continued Readings on DivineLashes.ca: If you are curious about which products can be used around the eyes with lash extensions, check out my articles on wearing glasses with eyelash extensions, how to clean lash extensions with micellar water, and whether or not you can use a lash serum with lash extensions.
References
- 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)
- NPS Medicinewise (2020). Maxidex Eye Drops 0.1%. Retrieved from https://www.nps.org.au/medicine-finder/maxidex-eye-drops (Accessed on 19 February 2021)
- RxList. ZADITOR. Retrieved from https://www.rxlist.com/zaditor-drug.htm (Accessed on 19 February 2021)
- Lindsaw Burgess (2018). 8 Things Eye Doctors Want You to Know About Eyelash Extensions. Retrieved from https://www.brit.co/eyelash-extensions-reactions/ (Accessed on 19 February 2021)
Hi. I have had lash extensions and one of my eyes are vey itchy red and irritating me. What is the best eye drops to buy please? Thank you in advance.
Hi Zara, the fact that only one eye is itchy after lash extensions deserves further investigation. In most cases, both eyes are affected. Having said that, I’ve updated my article with some suggestions for eye drops.
Hi. I have a terrible time with the retention of my lash extensions and have found some things I’m doing that is making it worse. The last thing to investigate is my eye drops for dry eyes. Are Systane Ultra and Lumify safe with lash extensions?
Hi Debbie,
Very good questions. I don’t have personal experiences with these two brands so I don’t know firsthand. But when looking at the ingredients I notice Systane Ultra has Glycols and Lumify has glycerin. As such, I would use other products. I’ve updated my article with some suggestions.