Beauty treatments can enhance the look of the wearer, no matter how young or old they are. That being said, ethical considerations are at stake when performing beauty treatments on minors.
Eyelash extensions are just like most beauty treatments and the question of an age limit for getting them will arise as they are semi-permanent.
Whether you’re a parent, guardian, or teenager thinking about getting new lashes, this article will help you learn all about the nuances of the age limit concerning fake eyelash extensions and minor policy.
Let’s get down to it!
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Eyelash Extensions?
There isn’t any minimum or maximum age when it comes to getting eyelash extensions. At Divine Lashes, we accept minors up to 16 years old with parental consent and do not treat anyone under the age of 16. If you are a minor and wish to have eyelash extensions, contact your lash salon about their minor policy.
If you’re a minor and want to get eyelash extensions, many salons cater to semi-permanent makeup services for teenagers today.
At Divine Lashes, clients above 18 years of age can walk in any time for a lash session. We’ll explain to you all you need to know during the consultation if it’s your first time and you’re good to go. But if you are a minor of at least 16 years of age, the consent of parents is a necessary first step at our salon.
We will require your parent or guardian to be present during the consultation and sign the consent form. WE DO NOT treat anyone under the age of 16.
How Do Lash Extension Salons Decide on an Age Limit for Minors?
Let’s start by comparing ourselves with other industries.
There are no specific laws in the United States that prevent teenagers from getting cosmetic surgery; however, parental consent is required for patients under the age of 18.[1]
In the tattoo industry, all 50 states in the U.S.A require the recipient to be above 18.[2]
The same isn’t the case with getting hair extensions, body wax, or lash extensions. It is up to eyelash extension salon owners to define their minor policy based on their ethical feelings.
So how do salon owners know where to draw the line when it comes to the age limit for eyelash extensions?
Let’s find out below.
1- Insurance Policy
Some insurance companies might have age restrictions for minors who want lash extensions.
Salon owners should contact their insurance companies to make sure their minor policy is compliant with their insurance policy and maintain coverage.
2- Ethical Policy
The minimum age that most professional lash techs feel comfortable doing eyelash extensions for is the legal age.
The beauty industry is under scrutiny when it comes to servicing minors. When you see girls as young as 11 years old getting a bikini wax, for example, the question of sexualization in kids should be debated.[3]
Eyelash extension stylists have an ethical decision to make to decide where they draw the line.
3- Social Responsibility
At the end of the day, eyelash stylists have a moral and social responsibility when offering their services.
Whatever the decision might be, beauty treatments for children should be done with parental consent and supervision.
Records of the treatments conducted on minors should also be kept as justification.
Why Minors shouldn’t wear lash extensions
Now that you know about how salons decide on the age limit for minors who want eyelash extensions, it’s time to look at the disadvantages of getting eyelash extensions when you’re too young.
1- School Policies
Some schools have no rules about makeup, others allow high schoolers to wear natural makeup, and yet others completely ban it.
Pro Tip: Check out my article on the best makeup to use with lash extensions to avoid damaging your lashes.
Depending on the school you’re going to, getting lash extensions may or may not be a cause for concern while on school premises. Hence, check the dress code of your school or talk to concerned people. If makeup isn’t allowed, fake eyelash extensions will probably be denied as well.
2- Expensive
Lash extensions aren’t cheap. The cost of eyelash extensions varies significantly based on your location and the salon you choose. On average, you can expect to pay $75 to 300$ for a new set and about $50 to $100 for refills every two to four weeks.
Pro Tip: Would you like to know exactly how much people spend on average for lash extensions? I have conducted a case study to get a breakdown of lash extension prices here!
So, if you’re a minor and don’t earn your own money, this means asking parents to part with a substantial amount every few weeks.
Once you start wearing your extensions, it might be too boring to go back to your natural lashes. You might become addicted to your new lashes!
3- Demanding
Unlike getting your eyebrows done or hair colored, eyelash extensions come with some aftercare requirements to maintain their retention, shape, and curl.
For instance, you shouldn’t get your lashes wet for four hours immediately after application[4], whether you’re working out, swimming or showering.
You should also prioritize sleeping on your back and avoid cotton pillowcases.[5]
The list of things you need to do for keeping your lash extensions and natural lashes healthy is something to consider. So, unless you’re ready to commit to aftercare, eyelash extensions may not be the perfect fit.
Pro Tip: Check out my complete list of lash extensions Do’s and Don’ts to preserve your lashes as long as possible.
Why Minors Could Wear Lash Extensions
We have looked at reasons why eyelash extensions should be avoided for teens, but there are certainly reasons why they are appropriate.
Eyelash extensions are a type of semi-permanent makeup worn to look prettier. For most women, lush, long, or thick eyelashes also bring a lot of self-confidence as it helps to prettify imperfections.
A very common reason for young girls to wear eyelash extension is to attend a special occasion such as proms, birthdays, photo day, graduation, homecoming, pep rallies, and talent shows.
However, remember that eyelash extensions have the advantage of lasting more than a day, unlike strip lashes! Even if you got them for a one-day event, you can enjoy them for a couple of weeks.
There are many instances when minors opt to get natural-looking lash extensions to circumvent the no-makeup rule at school.
But generally, wearing extensions every day isn’t an uncommon thing anymore among senior-grade students.
7 Checklist Items for Minors Who Want to Have Eyelash Extensions
If you’re a teenager thinking about getting eyelash extensions, convincing your parents isn’t enough. Go through the checklist below to make sure you have all the details ironed out before proceeding.
- Complete the consent form: When you’re below 18, you need to produce the consent form signed by your parents in most salons for getting lash extensions. Talk to your parents.
- Learn about mandatory parental presence: Most salons including Divine Lashes require the presence of at least one of your parents while the lash technician performs a consultation when you’re a minor. Ask about it at the lash studio of your choice.
- Find a good time: Minors won’t be given appointments for lash extension treatments during class hours. Figure out a good time when you and your guardian are free to set up an appointment.
- Disclose your allergies and medical issues: Most legitimate eyelash extension studios including Divine Lashes require the completion of a client intake form. Make sure to disclose any allergies you might have.
- Commit to aftercare: Minors and parents of minors must ensure that thorough aftercare of eyelash extensions is conducted as the lack of it can lead to poor retention, infections, balding of natural lashes, and in the worst cases, lash mites.[6]
- Do a trial run: Start with a small set of classic eyelash extensions and feel the responsibility that comes with it. Because the classic set is customized for you and it only adds one extension to each of your natural lashes, it won’t feel heavy or unnatural to you or anyone who sees you.
- Find a good lash tech: The final necessity is to find a licensed technician who has experience in doing eyelash extensions on young people and minors. Have a consultation session with the technician to get acquainted with the process.
FAQ
How old do you have to be to get eyelash extensions UK?
The lash technician carrying out the procedure has to use their discretion as to whether they feel an applicant is of a suitable age to receive them. Generally, it’s advised that a person should be at least 16 years old to get eyelash extensions. An eyelash salon should have a clearly defined minor policy.
Can a 13-year-old wear fake eyelashes?
There’s nothing preventing 13-year-olds from wearing fake eyelashes. It’s up to the parent or guardian to decide if this is appropriate for their child. It’s also important to be aware of the potential risks associated with the use of fake eyelashes. These include eye infections, allergic reactions, and even damage to the natural lashes if the false lashes are not applied correctly.
Can a 14-year-old get eyelash extensions?
Most lash salons require that a person be at least 16 years old to receive eyelash extensions or to have parental consent. You should ask the salon’s minor policy before booking an appointment if you’re 14 years old.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to eyelash extensions for minors, not everyone is allowed to get them.
If you’re 18, you can walk into most eyelash studios to get your lash extensions. But, for minors under the age of 18, the rules are slightly different.
Salons make such rules based on many things.
First off, they need to consult insurers who seldom cover semi-permanent makeup like eyelash extensions for minors. Moreover, lash techs might not feel ethical or comfortable doing these treatments for younger teens as well.
While eyelash extensions are amazing tools to beautify your eyes for special events like prom, homecoming, birthdays, or graduation, they also come with high maintenance and crucial responsibilities.
Some schools may not allow it, some might find it pretty hard to keep, or it might be too expensive for parents to cover every few weeks.
From babies to teens, kids are often admired for their thick, long, and lush lashes. They’re lost when you get older. Hence, if you already have lush or long lashes, there might not be a need for dramatic lash extensions until you hit the legal mark.
If you’re a minor and want to wear eyelash extensions, you need to complete the consent form with the help of your parents, have parental supervision during the consultation, share your medical problems with the lash tech, and commit to aftercare.
It’s a good idea to start with a test run by getting a classic eyelash extension set for the first time.
Also, keep in mind to find a lash tech experienced with doing treatments for minors. That’s all and you’re good to go.
Have more questions as a parent or teenager? Just type it all up in the comments below and I’ll personally write back to you at the earliest opportunity.
Stay beautiful!
– Asako 🙂
References
- Healthy Children (2015). Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Cosmetic-Surgery-in-Teens-Information-for-Parents.aspx (Accessed on 21-2-2021)
- Wikipedia Writers (2008). Legal status of tattooing in the United States. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_status_of_tattooing_in_the_United_States (Accessed on 21-2-2021)
- Cheryl Wishcover (2011). Retrieved from https://fashionista.com/2011/12/how-young-is-too-young-for-a-bikini-wax-we-asked-around-and-the-answers-may-shock-you (Accessed on 21-2-2021)
- Asako Ito (2021) Can You Swim With Eyelash Extensions? Retrieved from https://divinelashes.ca/blog/swimming-with-eyelash-extensions/ (Accessed on 21-2-2021)
- Asako Ito (2021) Can You Sleep With Eyelash Extensions? Avoid Lashes Falling-Out. Retrieved from https://divinelashes.ca/blog/sleeping-with-eyelash-extensions/ (Accessed on 21-2-2021)
- Asako Ito (2021) Eyelash Mites: The Truth About Eyelash Extensions (With Pictures). Retrieved from https://divinelashes.ca/blog/lash-mites/ (Accessed on 21-2-2021)
