Key Takeaways
- Eyelash extensions DO NOT cause lash mites – Poor hygiene does. A good lash cleansing routine is the key to keeping lash mites at bay.
- Lash mites or eyelash mites (also known as Demodex folliculitis) are microscopic parasites found in the follicles on our faces.
- Common symptoms of an infestation include: redness, swelling and a burning sensation around the eye area.
If you have visited Divine Lashes, then you have heard us talk to you about eyelash mites.
I know, gross!
In this article, I’ll cover what these bugs are exactly, how to prevent them and how to treat them.
I’ll share the case of two clients (with pictures) who had infestations.
I also made the video below if you want to listen while you read.
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!
Believe it or not, they actually help keep the lash follicles clean because they are eating dirt and oils.
They are not harmful in small numbers, but too much of a good thing can quickly become a bad thing…
So what do eyelash mites look like?
They are small, oval-shaped and have 8 legs. Their size can range from 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. They are also translucent and usually cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Fun fact: They do not like the light, so they are usually face down in your hair follicle throughout the day. That’s why they come at during the night, and you might feel them more at that time.
In the image below, you can see how they can be found in the follicles of your eyelashes.
Do Eyelash Extensions Cause Lash Mites?
Eyelash extensions DO NOT cause lash mites – Poor hygiene does. They feed on the sebum that your lash follicles naturally produce. Therefore, a good lash cleansing routine will limit the food source and prevent an infestation.
Many first-time lash extension wearers believe you shouldn’t wash or clean their extensions because they think it might negatively affect their retention.
This couldn’t be further from the truth!
In fact, properly cleansing the lashes daily is the #1 way you can maintain a healthy lash line and insure optimal retention.
Infestation Symptoms
If there are too many lash mites in one hair follicle, your natural lash will slip out, and you will experience lash loss.
This picture below is from a new client who visited Divine Lashes for a consultation after getting her lashes done at another salon.
As you can see, she unfortunately suffered from a lash mite infestation with visible eggs and feces.
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?
The most important thing to remember is to wash your lashes daily!
Simple right?
And let me reassure you.
No, cleansing your lashes won’t make them fallout faster! In fact, the opposite is true.
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.
If you get your lashes done at Divine Lashes, we’ll provide you with a bottle of lash shampoo and instructions on how to cleanse your extensions.
This habit is all you need to cut down the food supply 😉
Client Example #1: Lash Mite From Goggles
Let me tell you a story about a client I once had who wore goggles in the shower.
She came to Divine Lashes for a refill after getting her set done at another salon. The build-up on her lashes was clearly visible.
I did a thorough consultation and found out that she didn’t want water touching her eyelashes.
Why?
Because she was afraid it would make her extensions fall off sooner.
Her solution?
Goggles!
Pro Tip: I have written a complete article on how to shower with eyelash extensions without damaging them right here!
This is what the infestation looked like.
And guess what…
Sadly, her natural lashes were falling prematurely due to the abundance of lash mites!
Not because of water touching her face.
It took 20 minutes just to clean her lash line and remove all this junk!
We had to tell her we could no longer put eyelash extensions on her until this cleared up.
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 extensions with healthy cleaning habits.
This is one extreme example where we had to initially refuse to service a client. Any lash artist worth their salt should do the same.
Client Example #2: Lash Mites From Poor Hygiene
If you wanted to know what dirty eyelash extensions look like, you’re in for a treat.
What you see in the picture above is oil buildup that solidified.
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, I started asking questions…
She said that she doesn’t wear any makeup and doesn’t use products for her face.
So what could it be?
Turns out she wasn’t washing her lashes at all.
She even tried to remove these chunks of sebum by herself, which didn’t turn out to be a good idea. That’s why you can see these twisted and messy extensions.
Remember that little bottle of liquid gold (lash shampoo) we provide at your appointment?
This is your ticket to a healthy lash line and long-lasting extensions.
Thankfully, we were able to re-educate her about washing her eyelashes daily, and she quickly got better.
FAQ
Final Thoughts
Remember, a quick daily lash cleanse is all you need to keep these pesky mites at bay 😉
If you have any questions or if you have a bad experience to share, please let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
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 🙂
