Did you ever experience a burning, itchy sensation around your lash line? Or have you ever noticed your eyelashes getting thinner and falling out prematurely? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you may have an eyelash lice infestation.
If you have visited Divine Lashes then you have heard us talk to you about eyelash mites. I know, gross. Let’s look at what these eyelash bugs are exactly, how to treat and how to prevent them.
What Are Lash Mites?
Lash mites or eyelash mites (also known as Demodex folliculitis) are microscopic parasites found in the follicles on our faces. They eat the dead skin cells and oils on our eyelids. Lash mites lay their eggs in your lash follicles which can lead to clogged pores and eventually, eyelash loss.
No matter how many times I talk about eyelash mites, they always make my skin crawl! Just like we have skin mites and dust mites, eye mites are no different.
They help keep the lash follicles clean because they are eating dirt and oils. Only when there are many eyelash bugs does it become a problem.
In the image below, you can see how eye mites can be found in the follicles of your eyelashes.
Do Eyelash Extensions Cause Lash Mites?
Eyelash extensions do not cause lash mites. Poor hygiene is the number one cause of eye mites. Lash mites are attracted to dirty lashes because they feed on the sebum that your lash follicles produce. By limiting the food source, you can prevent mites on your eyelids and extensions.
Properly caring for your eyelash extensions is key to avoiding mites on eyelids. Dirty eyelashes from excessive oil and bacteria buildup would be a perfect environment for an infestation.
So what do eyelash mites look like?
Eye mites are very small. They are oval-shaped and have 8 legs. Their size ranges from 0.3 to 0.4 mm. These mites are translucent and usually cannot be seen by the naked eye.
I will address lash extension hygiene in this article so keep on reading!
Are Eyelash Mites Harmful?
Eye mites are harmless when they are in small numbers. However, when they reproduce, they can cause problems for your lashes. A large infestation of lash mites will damage your lash follicles, cause your lashes to fall out, and may even lead to vision problems.
Does Everyone Have Eyelash Mites?
Yes, everyone has a small number of mites on their eyelashes and most people don’t even notice. However, most people do not have enough to cause any problems. It is only when the population of these eyelash bugs grows too large that they can cause problems.
How Do I Know if I Have Lash Mites?
When there are too many mites on eyelashes, they get overcrowded on the lash line resulting in numerous mites facing down in each hair follicle.
If there are too many lash mites in one hair follicle your natural lash will slip out and you will experience lash loss.
The picture below was taken from a new client who came for an eyelash extension consultation. She had her lashes done at another salon before coming to us.
As you can see, the client suffered from severe lash mite build-up on her lash line.
Symptoms of eyelash mites can be classified in varying levels of severity:
- Mild symptoms. There are no noticeable symptoms at this stage. Eyelid mites are usually harmless, most people don’t even know they have them.
- Moderate symptoms. You may experience itchiness around the eye, redness, and swelling of the eyelid.
- Advanced symptoms. Symptoms will progress towards scaly, rough patches of skin. You might also feel a burning sensation in the eye, blurry vision, and light sensitivity.
How to Get Rid of Lash Mites?
Now that we know what eye mites are let’s talk about how to avoid an infestation.
Lash mites do not like the light, so they are face down in your hair follicle throughout the day; at night is when they come out.
If you have makeup, dead skin, and/or oils on your lash line this becomes a buffet for them. The more they have to eat the more they will lay eggs because your lash line has become the perfect place for them to start a family. This is how you get an infestation.
So how do you prevent lash mites? The most important tip to remember is to wash your face at night!
Here at Divine Lashes, we provide every client with a bottle of lash shampoo which consists of distilled water, baking soda, and baby shampoo.
The baby shampoo suppresses the growth of bacteria which is exactly what you want to get rid of lash mites and prevent them. We also recommend taking a break from wearing makeup around the eye area.
If the infestation is severe, we recommend taking a break from eyelash extensions and speaking to an eye doctor.
So, what steps should you take to cleanse your lashes when wearing extensions to avoid Demodex? Let’s see below!
Washing Your Eyelash Extensions to Avoid Lash Mites (Step-by-Step)
To get rid of lash mites, you need to wash your eyelashes. There is no way around it. However, if you wear lash extensions, you can’t simply splash water full force on your face. You have to be mindful of your extensions. Simply follow the steps below to cleanse your lashes and get rid of lash mites!
Step 1: Use Lash Shampoo
Most lash salons will sell you a specific lash shampoo to clean your lashes. If not, you can use baby shampoo. You want to avoid generic cleansers that could contain oils that will dissolve your lash adhesive.
Step 2: Apply Lash Shampoo With a Soft Makeup Brush
Start by wetting your brush and then add a small amount of lash shampoo. Gently massage the lashes and brush in a downward motion. Do not make vigorous upward or sideway motions.
Step 3: Dry Your Lashes
Pat your face gently with a clean and lint-free towel to remove any excess water. Alternatively, you can use a blow-dryer on a cool and low setting.
Step 4: Comb Your Lashes
Use a clean mascara wand or a lash comb to comb through your lashes and untangle them. This way you can ensure they don’t stick together or form clumps.
Will Eyelash Extensions Fall Out if I Wash Them?
I often get asked if washing eyelash extensions will cause them to fall out prematurely. Some clients think they have to choose between extensions falling too soon or eyelash lice. Well, they couldn’t be farther from the truth.
There is a common misconception that your eyelash extensions might be falling faster if you wash them.
Indeed, we don’t want you over-washing your lashes aggressively and scrubbing, rubbing, or tugging them with a facecloth.
However, washing your eyelash extensions gently with a safe shampoo cleanser is recommended for maintaining healthy and beautiful lash extensions. As long as it’s done with care, you will not lose your extensions any more than you would normally.
If you want to know more about how long eyelash extensions last and your lash growth cycle, check out this article I have written recently.
Client #1: Lash Mite From Goggles
Let me tell you a story about a client I once had who wore goggles in the shower.
She didn’t want the water to hit her eyelashes and make her extensions fall off. She was not washing her lashes or letting the water rinse them out.
Pro Tip: I have written a complete article on how to shower with eyelash extensions without damaging them right here!
When she came to Divine Lashes, you could see the build-up on her lashes as soon as she walked in.
The Divine Lash Artist who did a consultation with her learned that her prior lash technician (from another salon) did not give her proper after-care instructions and just did a removal and a new set because she was not sure what this client had!
During the consultation, the Divine Lash Artist went through after-care instructions, and how it will help her lash mite infestation.
It took 20 minutes to clean the lash line with lash shampoo!
Because the extensions used on this client were too heavy, the Divine Lash Artist first removed the old extensions and then applied a fresh set.
The set was a recovery set as her lashes were weak, thin, and sparse. Even after the appointment she was told about after-care and lash mites…
Once you get an infestation, it takes a while to get rid of it. Every time she came in for a fill, we would monitor her lashes to see how they were doing.
She was letting the water hit her lash extensions in the shower and we began to see an improvement in her lashes.
This unfortunately did not last; she began wearing the goggles again in the shower and we noticed the build-up again.
She noticed that when she washed her lashes many of her extensions and lashes were coming out…
Her lashes were falling prematurely due to the abundance of lash mites!
She had less and less natural lashes and we noticed some of her lashes slipping out when we washed them. We had to tell her we could no longer put eyelash extensions on her until this cleared up.
This is one extreme example where we had to refuse to service a client.
She understood the situation, took a break from lash extensions, and started washing her lashes regularly.
The infestation eventually got resolved and the client restarted wearing eyelash extensions with healthy cleaning habits.
Client #2: Lash Mites From Poor Hygiene
If you wanted to know what dirty eyelash extensions look like, you’re in for a treat. Dirty lashes are often caked with makeup, oil, and other impurities. This can make them appear yellow, brown, or even black. In addition, they may be matted and tangled.
What you see in the picture above is oil buildup that solidified.
The client tried to remove these chunks by herself and that’s why you can see very messy (twisted) lashes. These blocks of sebum are not dangerous but they are the perfect lash mite buffet!
This client has been coming to Divine Lashes for about a year, and never had this on her lash line before. Naturally, her Divine Lashes technician started asking questions.
The client doesn’t wear make-up and doesn’t use any products for her face. So what could it be?
It turns out she wasn’t washing her lashes at all…
Remember that little bottle of liquid gold (lash shampoo) we provide at the appointment? Lash shampoo suppresses the growth of bacteria and cleans your lash line.
Thankfully, we were able to re-educate about washing the eyelashes and this problem got resolved.
FAQ
How Do I Know if I Have Eyelash Mites?
Since lash mites are not visible to the naked eye, you have to rely on symptoms that indicate their presence. The most common symptoms are itchy, dry, or red eyes, burning skin, blepharitis, eyelash loss, and scaly or flaky sin.
What Causes Eyelash Mites?
The most common causes that can contribute to an eye mite infestation are not cleaning your lashes regularly, sharing makeup or brushes with someone who has lash mites, living in a humid or dirty environment, skin infection, and weak immune system
Can You Feel Demodex Mites Crawling?
No, you cannot feel Demodex mites crawling. They are too small to be seen with the naked eye and they do not bite.
Does Everyone Have Eyelash Mites?
Yes, everyone has mites in their eyelashes. However, some people are more susceptible to an infestation than others. Lash bugs are only a problem when they proliferate in large quantities and cause symptoms.
How Do You Get Rid of Eyelash Mites Naturally?
According to a clinical study, tea tree oil is an effective treatment to get rid of Demodex mites thanks to the Terpinen-4-ol active ingredient. You can make a lash wash by adding a few drops of tea tree oil to warm water.
How Do You Know if Your Eyelash Follicle Is Damaged?
If you have an eyelash follicle that is damaged, it will not be able to produce a healthy lash. The lash will be weak and may fall out easily. In addition, the follicle will be inflamed and may be red or swollen.
How Many Eyelash Mites Do We Have?
The exact average for the number of lash mites a person has is unknown. However, a recent study found that people above the age of 70 years old have 1000 to 2000 mites on their lashes on average.
Where Do Lash Mites Come From?
Lash mites are often passed from one person to another through close contact, such as hugging or kissing. They can also be transferred by sharing makeup or towels.
Final Thoughts
With everything that’s being said about lash mites, keep in mind that most people don’t even know they exist. Keeping a clean and healthy lash line is the way to go to prevent eyelash mites.
Eyelash extensions are safe and do not cause lash mites. Poor hygiene does!
Please let me know in the comments below if you had any bad experiences with eyelash mites or if you have any questions. I would love to hear from you.
Check out our article on how to sleep with eyelash extensions if you want to avoid your lashes falling out while you sleep!
Ok, ladies and gentlemen now you know all about lash mites and how to keep your eyelashes clean. Have a goodnight and don’t let the eyelash bugs bite!
– Asako 🙂
References
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Blepharitis. Retrieved from mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blepharitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20370141 [Accessed 21st December 2020]
- National Eye Institute. (2019). Blepharitis. Retrieved from https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/blepharitis [Accessed 21st December 2020]
- Lui J, et al. (2010). Pathogenic role of Demodex mites in blepharitis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2946818 [Accessed 21st December 2020]
- American Optometric Association. Blepharitis. Retrieved from https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/blepharitis [Accessed 21st December 2020]
Interested in learning more about lash extensions?
Explore my related guides & tutorials:
How To Shower With Eyelash Extensions
Eyelash Extensions Do’s and Don’ts
Eyelash Extensions Pros and Cons
Can You Go Swimming with Eyelash Extensions?
I had no idea about lash mites! They give me the creeps 😉 I have been wearing eyelash extensions for more than 2 years and never had the issues mentioned in this post. I take my eyelash hygiene very seriously.
Hey Catherine,
Thank you for sharing your experience! I couldn’t agree more with your comment about lash extension hygiene. We always educate our clients on this very important habit.
Thank you Asako for sharing this article. I honestly had no clue about lash mites…
Hey Elizabeth. Most people don’t 😉
I think I have them only on my right eye my eyelid gets swollen. Red and itchy and dry I thought it was psoriasis my extensions have been coming out without a lash attached and a lot. Omg im gonna wash wash wash home remedy would you say baking soda and a mild soap or antibacterial soap I use the cleaning stuff they gave me but this has to be whatz going on
Hey Ashley,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience! You can definitely start with cleansing the lash line with the shampoo that your studio gave you. Another tip is you can get a deeper cleanse if you use a eyeshadow brush to help cleanse the lash line.
How should the baby shampoo be applied to the lash line? I was never given the proper information on how to cleanse my lashes, I’m afraid I HAvnt done it correctly.
Hey D,
Thank you for your question! The baby shampoo should be applied to the lashes in a foam format, and the best way to get a deeper cleanse is using a soft eyeshadow brush. I hope this was helpful!
Can you get lash mites from mascara tube?& can they live in the tube?
I read you can spray rubbing alcohol on your makeup,& clean your brushes with soap&water and then spray them with rubbing alcohol, and use tea tree oil on your eyelash line. Would using a spoolie with a shampoo help or is it better to use a makeup brush?
Hey Julie, thank you for your question! Yes, lash mites can transfer onto your make up, which is why you should never share eye make up with others. Cleaning your make up brushes on a regular basis is a very good hygiene practice. To clean your lash line we recommend using a make up brush rather than a mascara spooly.
Oh wow I knew nothing about lash mites I’ve been wearing this set of lashes for probably a year now???? I don’t clean them but definitely clean my face. I was actually shopping for lashes (finally) and ran across this article. Now I know why my lashes always fall out. I will be throwing them away and buying new ones with a correct cleaning routine. Thanks for this.
Hi Destini,
Thank you for your comment! I’m so glad you found this article helpful 🙂 When the lashes are applied properly they will fall out with your natural eyelashes, some clients can shed anywhere from 1 to 5 lashes per day, so some fall out is completely normal. However, lash hygiene is super important while wearing lash extensions so please try it and see if it helps!
My Doctor told me to take a wash cloth and warm water and apply it to my eyes every morning, but maybe I should do it at night too.
Hey Louise,
Thanks for leaving a comment! I think it would definitely be helpful to cleanse your eyes morning and evening 🙂
Is it contagious can you get this off somebody and can little kids get this because I saw this little girl that she had that stuff in her eyelashes and she’s always getting stye in her eyes she is my neighbor and is it contagious
Hi Patty, thank you for your question! Yes, they can be contagious, which is why its important not to share eye cosmetics with others. This is mainly caused by poor hygiene so you can get them at any age.
I have been suffering with either lash mites or blepharitis for a few months now. How do I know which one I have? A lot of the symptoms point to dust mites but also blepharitis. I have had to stop getting eyelash extensions but I wonder if I will ever be able to wear them again ????
Is it possible that mites also like the eyelash glue? This is a question I have been asked by my optometrist. I wash my face and eyelashes twice a day daily and still got them. I also used non oil based eye make up remover twice a day. could it also be something other than hygiene? Could it be product? My optometrist figured it could’ve been dander from my dog. I am a clean freak with no carpets in the house either. I’m not a bit of a loss as I do not experience this without eyelash extensions. I love the idea of them and I’m sad that if this continues I will no longer be wearing them.
Hi Jen, thank you for your message. Lash adhesive becomes hard plastic state once it’s completely cured, so there’s nothing yummy for the lash mites there. Mites love dead skin cells and oils. When the extensions are placed near the base of the extensions, it makes it tricky to really get in between the extension and the skin. We all have a bit of last mites, they only become an issue when they are many of them. The best thing against lash mites is keeping up good hygiene. Make sure to use clean brushes to cleanse your lashes! I hope you can continue wearing eyelash extensions 🙂
Hi how can I inform my client I think they have lash mites with out scaring them ?? Also once I diagnose as lash mites do I have to take the lash extensions off and give them a break or just clean them ??
I prefer the honest and straightforward truth. And I think clients prefer it this way too. Yes, if your client has lash mites, it’s best to remove the lash extensions. But remember, the most important thing you can do is educate your client on proper hygiene. If the hygiene habits don’t change, you won’t address the problem at the source.
I’ve noticed these mites and when wipe with a tissue a little white looking worm is on it is this normal
Hi Phil,
Everyone can have some mites, but it becomes an issue when too many. Proper hygiene and regularly cleansing of your lashes are key!
What should I do if my 5 year old has them will it damage her eyelashes she has like a lot and you can see them too. Please help
Hi Iman,
IF your 5 years old have lash mites, you should consult a dermatologist or ophthalmologist.
Hi there!
I started getting lashes 2 years ago and had no issues until maybe 6 months of getting fills. I thought it was an allergic reaction. So my tech started using sensitive glue. That seemed to lessen my reaction but not completely.
I then turned to the idea that I may have a mite infestation. My eyes were red scaly and itchy and had all the symptoms.
I took a 6 month break. During that 6 month time everything cleared up and I had no issues. I decided to try extensions again and just got a new set two weeks ago and reacted again.
But here is why I’m not sure if it’s mites or an allergy.
The first day I get lashed I’m fine. Then While asleep my lids swell and turn red and dry and itchy. During the day things seem to start clearing up. Then at night it swells up again and I wake up with horrible blepharitis. Over the course of the week the reaction gets less and less overnight, clears up and it’s fine. And I’m no longer having issues. But it’s strange that the issue gets bad over night, then improves during the day. if it was allergies it shouldn’t just get bad over the night time.
I don’t wash my lashes during the first 24 hours of getting a set or fill. But I wash them 2x a day after that with tea tree wash. I use tea tree in my hair and my face moisturizer. I dry my lashes with cool setting on hair dryer. I brush them out with mascara wand. I always ask my tech if she sees any issues with mites and she says they look clean.
So I’m struggling to understand what the issue is.
Oh additionally if I sleep with the light on, the Over night reaction tends to be less. This is not indicative of allergy. This seems more like mites. But I know I have good hygiene. So I’m confused why having the extensions seems to exacerbate the issue.
Please help!!
Hi Sher,
That’s so interesting. As you point out, an allergic reaction would not be worst at night and then clear up during the day. The progression is linear. Lash mites leave clear clues behind. If you do have a lash mite infestation, your lash artist could identify it right away. Here’s our article about it: https://divinelashes.ca/blog/lash-mites/
I have been getting eyelash extensions for roughly 6 months. I had to change lash techs. I was told to use the lash bath every other day. Ever since, I started noticing lash mites! I noticing my lashes falling out. I also workout and sweat. What should I do?
Thanks in advance!
Lid
Hi Lid,
You should cleanse your lashes daily with lash extensions, not every other day. This will prevent oil and dirt build-up which is the perfect environment for lash mites to thrive!
During and after having Covid my eyes became itchy, red and sore. I was told by a doctor that it was probably an allergy. I tried eye drops containing antihistamine. This helped but the condition re-occurred. My daughter suggested that I might have eyelash mites. Although I never wear false eyelashes (but I do wear mascara) I read your article regarding eyelash mites. It mentioned that a low immune system could trigger an increase in the mites which could be the reason for my problem as I have never suffered from hay fever or allergies before. I have an appointment with my optician and after reading your article eyelash mites are something I will mention to her. Thank-you for such no-nonsense, clear and informative information. It certainly has given me something to consider other than being told it’s just an allergy.
Hi Maureen,
I’m glad my article was helpful even if you don’t have false lashes 😉 Let me know how the appointment with your optician goes!