August 17, 2023
5 min read
Lash Lift Side Effects and Risks: Does a Lash Lift Damage Your Lashes?
A professional lash lift does not damage healthy lashes. When the right rod size and processing times are used and the lashes are nourished afterwards, the natural lashes keep their strength and grow out normally over 6 to 8 weeks. Problems such as dry, frizzy, brittle or over-curled lashes almost always come from over-processing, the wrong rod, repeating the treatment too soon, or lifting lashes that were already weak. Irritation and allergic reactions are possible but uncommon, and they can be reduced with a patch test. Here is what can go wrong, why, and how to prevent it.
Does a lash lift damage your lashes?
A lash lift uses a lotion that softens the lash structure so it can be curled over a silicone rod, then a second lotion that fixes the new curl. That chemical step is why people worry. Applied correctly, the lotion only reshapes the lash for as long as it lives; it does not stop lashes growing or make them fall out. Each lash still follows its natural cycle and is replaced by a new one.
Lashes become damaged when they are processed for too long, when the lotion is too strong for fine or light lashes, or when lifts are repeated before the previous one has grown out. Lashes that are already weak, for example after years of extensions, need extra care and sometimes a pause.
Possible side effects of a lash lift
- Mild redness or watering during or just after the treatment, usually gone within hours.
- Eye or eyelid irritation if lotion gets too close to the skin or eye.
- Allergic reaction to an ingredient in the lotions or the tint: itching, redness or swelling of the eyelids.
- Dry or frizzy lashes after over-processing.
- Over-curled, kinked or uneven lashes when the rod is too small or the lashes were not placed evenly.
- Weak result that drops quickly, often because of growth serum, oil or mascara left on the lashes.
What to do if your lash lift goes wrong
- Irritation or swelling: rinse gently with cool water and stop using any new products. If symptoms are strong, spread, affect your vision or do not settle within a day, see a doctor or pharmacist.
- Over-curled or frizzy lashes: do not lift them again straight away. Keep them nourished with a lash serum or conditioner recommended by your technician, and let them grow out.
- Professional correction: Beauty Art Pro in Geneva offers a Lash Lift Rescue for lifts done elsewhere that went wrong. Lashes that are too curled, frizzy, uneven or damaged are gently relaxed back into a natural shape and treated with nourishing care. The session takes about 1 hour.
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How to prevent lash lift damage
- Choose a trained technician who checks your lashes first and adapts the rod size and processing times to their length and thickness.
- Mention allergies and sensitivities when you book. A patch test is recommended if you have known allergies or have never had a lash lift before.
- Stop lash growth serums at least 7 days before. They leave a film that blocks the lotions and can make the result uneven or short-lived.
- Arrive with clean lashes: no mascara, oil or eye cream.
- Keep the lashes dry for 24 hours after the treatment: no water, steam, sauna or mascara, and do not rub your eyes.
- Do not lift too often. A lift lasts 6 to 8 weeks; wait until the lashes have grown out before the next one.
- Nourish your lashes. The salon's lash lift includes vitamin serums, and the Korean lash lift uses a gentler method designed to respect the natural lash.
Who should avoid a lash lift or wait
Postpone the treatment if you have an eye infection, conjunctivitis, a stye or irritated eyelids, or if you have recently had eye surgery. Mention a known allergy to cosmetic products or tints, and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, when many professionals prefer to err on the side of caution. If you wear contact lenses, take them out before the treatment.
Lash lift safety in short
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Does it damage lashes? | Not when done correctly on healthy lashes |
| How long does it last? | 6 to 8 weeks, according to the salon |
| How long does it take? | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Water after the treatment? | Not for the first 24 hours |
| Allergy risk? | Low, reduced further with a patch test |
Book a safe lash lift in Geneva
Beauty Art Pro is at Rue Neuve-du-Molard 19 in Geneva. Read more about the lash lift in Geneva, how lash lift allergies are prevented, or the difference between a regular and a keratin lash lift. When you are ready, book your lash lift.