Advising Your Clients on Best Practice. Looking After Their Lash Extensions in Water Activities.

As Lash Techs, we know one of the first things clients ask (especially during the warmer months or before a vacation) is: “Can I still go swimming with lash extensions?” or “Is it okay to use a sauna?”

Here’s a handy breakdown you can share with your clients, helping them enjoy their lifestyle without compromising their lash retention and beautiful set of eyelash extensions, which you worked really hard on!

Swimming with Lash Extensions – Yes, But with Care

The short answer is: Yes, your clients can swim with eyelash extensions – but it’s not totally risk-free if they don’t follow proper aftercare. You need to advise your clients to wait 24-48 hours after their treatment before getting their eyelash extensions wet. This allows the eyelash extension glue to cure and dry properly.

Encourage your clients to dry their eyelashes gently. If they get their lashes wet, they should blot gently with a lint-free towel and avoid any excessive rubbing around the eyes, this can tug on the lash extensions and cause premature shedding, or worse, damage to the natural eyelashes.

Always recommend clients cleanse their lashes using a Lash Shampoo and Cleansing Brush after swimming in a pool or the sea, to remove any chlorine or saltwater which can affect and accumulate on the lash adhesive. It's also a great idea to provide your clients with a Lash Spoolie to brush through their lashes to keep them neat and tidy after a day of swimming.

Top Tip: Have your favourite lash shampoo and brushes available for retail and let them know it’s perfect for travel or post-swim lash aftercare! Boost your sales, and your client's lash health.

Saunas & Steam Rooms – A Lash Retention Hazard

Heat and humidity are two of the biggest enemies of lash extension glue. Prolonged exposure, especially in the first 48 hours, can weaken the bond and lead to poor retention. This is something your clients should avoid. While they may think they're not dipping their whole body in a swimming pool, the exposure to the moisture from a sauna is just as (if not more, due to the heat) damaging to eyelash extensions in the first 48 hours.

After the first 48 hours, clients can enjoy saunas and steam rooms as the lash glue bonds will have cured properly. But it is wise to limit the time and frequency to protect their lashes from heat exposure. For regular sauna-lovers, recommend a lighter set of lashes such as a Half-Set or Angel Lashes, or more regular infills to maintain their desired look.

QUICK TIPS: Sun, Spas & Lash Survival Tips

• Hot showers are okay, but direct water pressure on the face should be avoided as your client does not want premature lash shedding.

• Oily sunscreens around the eye area can build up on lash glue and cause poor retention – recommend an oil-free formula or remind them to be mindful when applying.

• Sand, sea and SPF can lead to build-up, so gentle daily cleansing is essential to avoid lash loss and irritation.

What Can YOU Do As a Lash Tech?

One of the main things you can do to prolong your clients lash retention, especially if they're an active person and enjoy these wonderful hobbies, is to of course educate them. Provide them with as much guidance and useful information as possible to avoid any damage to their beautiful lash set and their natural eyelashes.

On the other hand, you can also use Superbonder Sealant alongside your lash extensions kit. This amazing product works like magic. It seals the glue bonds and fumes in an instance and make the lash extensions (and glue) water resistant. Superbonder is the key player in making sure that even if your clients decide not to follow your advice for a day or two, you can rest assured that their lashes are fully protected. You can read more about Superbonder in this blog post.