Sensitivity and reactions

As a Lash Artist, it is an unavoidable occurrence that you will encounter a client who has a sensitivity to lash adhesive. A little burning and red eyes can't be too big of a deal right? Unfortunately, we are working with very harsh chemicals and it can be, and are a big deal. However, as we continue our education, and as innovative products emerge, we can find solutions to delay developing sensitives amongst clients, and/or avoid them altogether.

As we all know, the main ingredient in lash adhesive is Cyanoacrylate. And while this component is our best friend in terms of what keeps us in business, it is also our biggest hater. Because of the harsh fumes it releases and the formaldehyde that is produced, it is no secret that Cyanoacrylate causes discomfort when it comes anywhere near our delicate eyes. It is so important as a professional to know how to work with this chemical in a way that your client experiences the least amount of discomfort as possible.

When it comes to client sensitivity, some clients will be more prone to reactions than others. The best thing to do in your everyday practice is treat every client as if they all have sensitive eyes. Because in all actuality, our eyes are in fact, very sensitive! They should be treated with the best care at all times. There are many protocols that can significantly help reduce sensitivity. I will list below some of the things that you should be doing with ALL clients at their appointments.

-When washing the clients lashes at the beginning of service, make sure to rinse with Saline Solution.

-During the application, you should be nano misting their lashes periodically throughout the appointment. Every 20 minutes is usually my go to.

-Make sure you are using bonder at the end of the appointment to help cure the glue.

-Conducting a post cleanse, or cleansing the entire eyelid with hypochlorous acid is very important as the fumes produce invisible particles that latch onto the skin causing sensitivity and irritation.

Another thing to keep in mind is the way in which you have taped your clients eyes. If the tape is not in a comfortable or secure position, it can cause the clients eyes to flutter or water. When this happens, it will allow for easy passage of the fumes to enter into their eye causing irritation and potentially severe affects in the long run. If ever a client comes in with fluttery eyes regardless of your taping skills, this could be an affect from caffeine. Remember that should you ever feel uncomfortable to preform a service due to a client not following the correct appointment preparation instructions, you are within every right to refuse service. In the case that you decide to continue the service with overly active eyes, you can use taping methods to help relax their eyes and keep them weighted down.

Extreme Sensitivity or Allergies

Some clients may wonder why they were able to get lash extensions for years and years at a time and then all of a sudden they develop a reaction to the lash adhesive. It may sound strange, but you can actually develop sensitives over periods of time. Some cases are worse than others, and in the situation where the clients eyes swell up, this typically means they have an allergy. The reason why they have never shown symptoms up until a point, is because this allergy remained dormant in their bodies until finally their body rejects and no longer is asymptomatic. It so important to have this knowledge so that should you ever find yourself in a situation like this, you can explain it to your client in detail. I have heard of such cases with other artists who have lacked this information for their client, and when faced with this issue, they cannot provide a solid answer to their client as to why they "all of a sudden" have a reaction. Unfortunately, this often makes the client not only question your expertise, lose trust in you, but in many cases, they place blame on you for their adverse reaction. I have heard the phrase "Well, I've been getting my lashes done for years and I've never had an issue until now, so it must be something you are doing." This is unfortunate, and yet, it is your responsibility to address this situation is a way that keeps the client calm and appreciative of your willingness and caring nature.

Thanks to new and innovative products, there are solutions to those with severe allergies so that clients can still receive lash services without the discomfort. UV light curing glue has made a breakthrough in the lash industry and has changed the game for sensitive clients. The process involves a small overhead light controlled by a foot pedal that you would press the moment you have placed the extension on the natural lash. The glue is then hardened and cured fully leaving behind zero fumes. Zero fumes equals Zero irritation. While not all UV systems are regulated, there are many that are proven to be safe and approved to be used for the application of lash extensions. It is important to do you research on which carrier you purchase from. This invention has been so beneficial for sensitive clients, however, please keep in mind that not all clients may be a candidate for this option. As great as this is, it may not be the best option for clients who have naturally fluttery eyes. Over active eyes are not ideal for any lash service, however, especially for the UV light I do not recommend using on these particular clients as the light may be damaging to the eye.