How to: Care for Red Eyes After Eyelash Extensions

As eyelash extension technicians, we hold a high responsibility to care for our clients and ensure their overall health and happiness. For this reason, there are several procedures and safety measures, like using sensitive eyelash glue, put in place. However, working in such a delicate area, there are bound to be the occasional mishap.

Red eyes can occur from a number of reasons – allergic reactions, low-quality lash extension primers, harsh lash glue, poor lash salon hygiene, and more. Your job as a lash artist is to foresee the potential issues and proactively care for them.

Get ahead of the curve! Before a panicked client calls you at some ungodly hour, learn how to care for red eyes after eyelash extensions with these simple tips. Give your client the best care with these tips for red eyes after eyelash extensions.

Administer immediate care

First and foremost, if the client is complaining of irritation or burning sensation while in the salon, get ahead of the potential ramifications and administer immediate care. Comfort the client and reassure them that this is a reaction that can be cared for. Next, provide the client with a cold compress to soothe the irritated area. The cold compress is more or less a band-aid solution for red eyes after eyelash extensions; however, it will comfort the client as the healing process begins.

Advice for short-term care

It may take several hours or even days for red eyes to heal after the initial irritation. To increase client comfort during the healing process topical creams like cortisone cream and Benadryl can be used to manage symptoms. For many, the combination of cold compresses, cortisone cream, and Benadryl is just what they need to bounce back to their former selves.

Seek professional help

In most cases, allergy eye drops, cold compresses, Benadryl, and topical creams should resolve the clients red eyes. However, if the red eyes persist longer than two to three days or for extreme reactions the client should seek professional help from a doctor. In addition, you could offer a complimentary lash removal when the reaction has calmed down.

Take responsibility for your client’s wellbeing

Your client’s health and wellbeing should be your biggest priority when applying eyelash extensions. It is a great honor to have the opportunity to enhance someone's natural beauty with eyelash extensions. Nevertheless, this opportunity comes with great responsibility. While reactions can happen, it’s important to apply appropriate preventive and safety measures. This means confirming if the client has any allergies or sensitivities to lash adhesives. In addition, it is important to properly clean and disinfect your tools and work area between clients to prevent cross-contamination.

This may also mean revisiting proper application techniques through training or refresher courses. The Lash Professional has several in-person and online lash extension training programs to correct and perfect your technique to industry standards. 

Contact The Lash Professionals to attend their next lash training with a community of boss women.