We’ve ALL been there before. You have a sparkly new set of gorgeous lash extensions and out of habit you’ve hopped in the shower and exposed them to steam. Or worse, you’ve popped your head straight under the shower jet, soaking your new lashes!
Don’t stress – this happens all the time.
The main thing is to make sure you are honest with your lash tech and let them know that the lashes were in contact with water during the curing process.
Sometimes it will be totally fine if the glue had already set and you won’t lose lashes prematurely – but sometimes the lashes will fall out quickly due to something called “shock curing”.
What the heck is shock-curing?
There is a science to all of this. I could go on all day about lash glue and exactly how it performs at its best…but I won’t bore you! I’ll give you a quick overview.
The lash glue used to apply your lashes draws moisture from the air slowly over a 24 hour period in order to cure (set). The glue can dry faster between 4-12 hours in cases if a lash nano-mister or nebuliser is used. At The Lash Spa, we always use a water nebuliser (basically the next level above a nano-mister) which creates a super fine mist of water – which creates water particles so fine that it won’t cause the ‘blooming’ effect on the glue which turns it white – instead, it will allow the glue to cure faster without any negative effects.
If you accidentally exposed the lashes to water before you were supposed to – the glue is overloaded with moisture and dries immediately. This means that the lash extension hasn’t properly formed a bond with your natural lash and causes it to fall off.
Can’t I just call my lash tech and tell them the lashes will fall out – then they’ll have to fix them for free?
Technically yes, you could do that. But I wouldn’t and here’s why:
- It is very obvious to a tech when your lashes have fallen out after being exposed to water
- The tech will likely fix your lashes out of politeness BUT they will probably never rebook you again
- You could arrive at the appointment to have them fixed and as soon as your lash technician sees your lashes have fallen off due to contact with water, they will charge you for a full set – it can make things very uncomfortable for both parties
Here’s what you SHOULD do:
- Don’t panic – they may still survive
- Wait to see if the lashes fall out prematurely
- If they do fall out, contact your tech and be honest “Hey [name], I’ve accidentally showered with my lash extensions on. Would you have any time this week during a quiet period to touch them up for me? I’m happy to pay”.
- Wait for your tech to respond. If this happened to our clients, we’d offer them a discounted appointment in a quiet time as a gesture of goodwill
As a lash tech, I am begging you to please be honest and let us know what’s happened if you do get your lashes wet in the curing period. We will know when we see your lashes anyway so would rather avoid awkward conversations.
We understand these things can happen and really appreciate your honesty. We want to look after our clients so will always help when we can! 🙂
Update 2023:
What are the Rules for Getting Lashes Wet?
When you get lash extensions put in, the last thing you want is for them to fall out right away! There are maintenance rules to ensure your lashes stay in the best shape, including water rules.
- Always avoid water for 24-48 hours so the glue can set properly. If you need to wash the rest of your face, use a washcloth, and avoid the eye area altogether.
- Avoid steady streams of water like putting your face directly under the shower faucet even after the 48-hour window is passed. Direct water streams can weigh the lashes down and cause them to fall out prematurely.
- Avoid oil-based makeup removers because they can cause the glue to loosen and your lashes to fall out unevenly.
- Try to avoid swimming pools. While this isn’t a hard rule, exposing your lashes to chlorine and other chemicals is never ideal.
How to Prepare for This
When you schedule your lash extension appointment, you should plan to avoid washing your face or taking a shower for 24-48 hours. Schedule the appointment on a day or weekend that you know you don’t have anything important you will need a full face of makeup for. This will allow you to keep your face makeup free, so you don’t have to give it a good wash.
You can purchase a shower visor that will protect your lashes in the shower. Like a hair shower cap, they protect the area from getting steady streams of water.
Your Lash Technician Should Prepare You
A good lash technician will warn you about the effects of getting your lashes wet. Afterall, he or she will not want to replace your lashes because of a failure to let you know you cannot get them wet during the bonding process.
Other ways you can prepare for your eyelash extension appointment include:
- Arrive to your appointment with a clean face, free of any makeup
- Avoid oil-based products before your appointment
- Avoid caffeine for at least 4 hours before your appointment
- Dress comfortably
Tips for Your First Lash Extension Appointment
If you are getting lash extensions for the first time, it can be exciting and a little nerve racking. We have all heard horror stories about bad lash extensions, but there are plenty of experienced technicians out there who will do a beautiful job.
Some tips to help your experience go well include:
- Do your research! If you are looking for a lash technician, ask for referrals of friends who have lash extensions you love and ask to see pictures and testimonials of real clients.
- Schedule enough time for the full appointment so you don’t feel rushed. Lash extensions usually take 1-3 hours.
- Take a shower in the morning before your appointment as you will need to avoid water on your face for at least 24 hours following your appointment.
- Do not wear makeup to your appointment. Arrive with a clean face.
- Avoid using any eye creams or sunscreen the day of your appointment
- Know what you want ahead of time! It is important that you know what style you are looking for before you go in for your appointment so you can make sure the technician you choose is experienced with your particular style.