How To Shower With Eyelash Extensions: Myths Debunked

Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent makeup and unlike strip lashes, you can wear extensions for weeks. Truth is, it will look gorgeous for over a month if you take care of it the right way. Aftercare of lash extensions includes many things but the most important has to do with showering. Can you get lash extensions wet? How to shower with eyelash extensions?

You can shower normally with eyelash extensions, but you have to avoid getting your lashes wet within the first 4 hours for the eyelash adhesive to completely cure. Moreover, avoid aiming high water pressure directly at your lashes, overly hot and steamy showers or rubbing your lashes.

The following article will help you establish best practices when showering with eyelash extensions, and also how to take a bath with eyelash extensions, the types of soaps and shampoo you can use and debunks a few myths along the way.

Let’s start off!

Can You Get Eyelash Extensions Wet?

Before talking about taking a shower with eyelash extensions, we first must address a very important question. Can you get eyelash extensions wet?

Absolutely. You can wet your eyelash extensions since they are waterproof. In fact, washing your lashes regularly promotes a healthy lash line, good lash retention and prevents eye infections.

Several sources online will advise you to wait for 24h to 48h after your appointment before getting your lashes wet. That is actually a myth.

Eyelash adhesives have greatly improved over the years and a 4h waiting period is now sufficient for the glue to completely cure. Your lash stylist could confirm the appropriate waiting period required based on the glue that was used.

So now you’ve got your new lashes and you waited enough for the adhesive to completely cure. You’re wondering if it’s safe to shower with your new eyelash extensions and how to do it.

Let’s keep reading!

Can You Shower With Eyelash Extensions?

Showering with eyelash extensions is completely safe for your lash extensions after the glue’s curing period is completed. That’s because lash extensions are set with a waterproof adhesive especially designed for eyelash extensions.  

Rest assured. Water will not make your extensions fall out prematurely. They will fall on their own following the growth cycle of your natural lashes.

Check out our article on how long eyelash extensions last to know more about typical extension retention times.

Although it is completely safe to shower with eyelash extensions, there are still precautions you need to take to insure the longevity of your lashes.

Now, let’s see how you can shower with your lash extensions while preserving them.

How to Shower With Eyelash Extensions

We have already established that you can get your eyelash extensions wet. Follow these simple guidelines when showering with your lashes to maximize their retention.

Avoid Water Pressure

The force of water gushing out from the shower directly on your eyelash extensions can affect their retention negatively. Hence, don’t aim the showerhead directly at your lashes or use high-pressure showers and jets.

You can turn around when showering to let the water fall on the back of your head instead of the eyes. Alternatively, you can also cup water in your hands to rinse your face while showering.

Avoid Hot Steamy Showers

Water temperature is crucial because hot water creates steam and humidity. When paired with the high temperature, that’s enough to waken the bond between the extensions and your natural lashes. As a rule of thumb, if your bathroom is steaming up, lower the water temperature ASAP.

It’s actually best to keep the shower moderately warm with the temperature between 99 to 105-degrees Fahrenheit for your skin too. As a matter of fact, dermatologist Dr. Rajani Katta recommends lukewarm showers for 10 to 15 minutes maximum during winters in order to avoid dry skin.^[1]

Heat and steam are the reasons why you should avoid going to hot and humid places too. That’s why saunas, steam baths, and tanning salons are out of limits for eyelash extension wearers.

Avoid Rubbing and Scrubbing

First off, showering with lash extensions isn’t the same as without it. Rubbing is a big no-no and hence scrubbing is even bigger a danger when you’re wearing fake lashes. You can’t scour away the dirt like you always do. Instead, be gentle and soft with your body when showering.

Take the loofah and body brush out of your bathroom because both can snag and tug on the eyelash extensions, leading to premature falling of lashes.

Do Not Use Goggles

I have seen a lot of bad advice over the years and wearing goggles in the shower is definitely one one them. For example, this article from Gamour.com states that you should shower with goggles to keep your eyelash extensions in tact!^[2]

There is no need to wear goggles when showering with eyelash extensions. It’s a myth that you should never get your eyelashes wet. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! We recommend to cleanse the lashes on a daily basis to help maintain a clean and healthy lashline. We once had a client who was wearing goggles when showering and developed lash mites because she wasn’t cleaning her lashes.

The only exception to the rule above would be taking a shower when the curing period of the adhesive of 4 hours is not completed.

In such cases, you could wear goggles with ample space around the eyes to protect your lashes from the water.

However, I’d suggest you shower before your lash appointment or after the cure period of the glue is over to avoid any mishaps instead of wearing goggles for showering. It’s really not that long of a period and I’m sure you can make it without a shower for 4 hours.

Cleansing Your Lashes

Simply rinsing the lashes with water is not enough to remove the oil and dirt between your lashes.

In order to remove all traces of oil from your lashes (even oil from cleaning products you are using), it’s best to cleanse the lashes eyelashes and face at the end of your shower, after you are done cleansing your body and hair.

If you use a makeup brush instead of your hands, it’s easier to clean your lash extensions. Start by applying the cleanser on your brush and lathering it up on the eyes. Using a compatible lash cleanser, take your time to gently cleanse your lashes.

Truth be told, you don’t need to scrub hard to keep your eyelash extensions clean.

Pro Tip: Instead of cleansing their lashes in the shower, some people prefer to do it in the sink after taking their shower. That way, you tend to gently splash water in your face thus avoiding high pressure and rubbing.

Drying your lashes

When it comes to drying lash extensions after showering, most people will grab their bath towel. Whether your towel is lint-free or made from cashmere, it’s important to avoid rubbing with it to dry your lashes. That’s because such towels can often snag onto lash extensions easily. When using a towel, gently pat dry to remove the excess moisture.

You can air-dry your eyelashes after the shower. If it takes too long, get a hand-held fan like this one available on Amazon.

If you prefer to dry your lashes quickly after showering, set the hair dryer on a cool-air setting and use it on the low-cool mode. Avoid using the dryer too close to the face and a few inches away will prevent high-pressure air from hitting your lashes.

Once lashes are dry, you can use a clean mascara brush to put the extensions in place.

Which Soap To Use With Eyelash Extensions

Oils can degrade the bond created by eyelash adhesives over time. So, when you’re showering, always take care to use oil-free soap solutions around the eyes.

Also avoid creamy soaps as they can interfere with the adhesion capacity of the cyanoacrylate-based glue. It’s better to avoid body washes and soaps around your eyes to be on the safe side.

You can also invest in a water-based face washing solution to maximize the retentiveness of lash extensions.

Pro Tip: Turn to your back and rinse down the back instead of the front when shampooing or conditioning your hair to avoid oils in these products coming into contact with the lash glue.

Bathing With Eyelash Extensions

You can bath on your own terms without worrying about lash extensions falling out. When taking a bath with salt or oils, simply avoid putting your head underwater to preserve your extensions.

Salt is known to weaken the bond of the eyelash adhesive. This is the reason why swimming in the ocean as well as crying with eyelash extensions aren’t good for fake lashes.

If you do dip your head under water while taking a salt bath, make sure to cleanse your lashes after you’re done bathing to remove any leftover salt or oil residue from your lashes.

Final Thoughts

Showering is a daily task for most people around the world. There’s no need to stop it once you get eyelash extensions. In fact, cleaning is even more important once you get lash extensions to avoid residue buildup and prevent eye infections.

However, keep in mind to avoid getting your lashes wet within four hours of getting the treatment done. That will help the lash glue- cyanoacrylate bond the lash extensions well onto your natural lashes.

After the end of this cure period, you can bathe anyway you want. But if you prefer soaking in a bathtub, avoid products with oils and salts as it can degrade the lash bond.

The most crucial thing to keep your lash extensions safe while showering is avoiding oil or cream based soaps around the eyes. Instead, get a water based solution.

Eyelash extension wearers must also keep away from high-pressure and hot water showers as both the force and the heat can degrade the adhesive capacity of cyanoacrylate glue. When you’re showering, avoid scrubbing too.

Once you’re done showering, you should also diligently clean your lashes with a cleansing solution. This will remove the oil, dirt, and residue buildup.

Finally, never rub your lashes with a towel to dry them. You can pat-dry around your eyelashes slowly to avoid snagging and pulling as well. Let it air-dry naturally or use a handheld dryer.

That’s all you need to know about showering when you’re wearing lash extensions.

If you’re confused about anything to do with eyelash extensions and showering, drop in a word in the comment box below and I will get to you as soon as physically possible.

Stay beautiful!

References

1. Baylor College of Medicine (2015).Hot showers harmful to skin during winter. Retrieved from https://www.skinvision.com/articles/best-shower-temperature-for-your-skin/ (Accessed on 3-3-2021)
2. Glamour (2012). 3 Must-Dos When it Comes to Caring For Eyelash Extensions (And Check Out My Fancy New Ones!). Retrieved from https://www.glamour.com/story/3-must-dos-when-it-comes-to-ca (Accessed on 3-3-2021)