Why Do Lash Extensions Fall Out?

Although you may not know the reason why lash extensions fall out, unfortunately they do, every lash tech and client alike will want to know how to prevent them falling out for as long as possible. In this blog we look at the various reasons which cause eyelash extensions to fall out and ways to counteract these to get better retention. 

Natural Hair Cycle

The biggest and most common reason lashes will naturally fall out is due to the hair growth cycle. Natural eyelashes go through a growth cycle that typically lasts around 6 to 8 weeks. This cycle has three phases:

• Anagen (growth phase): When the lash is growing and active.
• Catagen (transitional phase): The lash begins to detach from the follicle.
• Telogen (resting phase): The lash is fully formed but not growing, and it eventually falls out.

(The Natural Lash Cycle) 

Lash extensions are usually applied to your natural lashes during the growth phase and will eventually fall out with the natural lash once it reaches the Telogen phase - this is why you will notice a lot of your lash extensions fall out with the natural lash attached to it! On average a client will loose 2-5 eyelashes everyday. Each persons natural lashes will grow at different rates and can be determined by lots of different factors, for example age, as you get older hair follicles become less active over time. Hormonal changes can effect lash growth rate, during pregnancy some women experience faster eyelash growth due to increased levels of estrogen. Using growth stimulators such as lash serums can cause your lashes to grow more quickly - however having said this over the long run they can improve the overall lash health which could improve retention eventually. Health & Nutrition can also dramatically change a persons lash cycle, poor nutrition can hinder growth as well as health conditions such as anaemia or alopecia. 

Application

Lash extensions may fall out prematurely if they haven't be applied properly by the lash technician. There are several mistakes lash techs could make that effect the retention of clients eyelash extensions. Lash techs need to make sure they isolate the natural lashes properly if they don't lash extensions may be applied to several natural lashes which not only means you won't get full coverage but means the lash extensions could get pulled by the different natural lashes growing at different rates causing the lash extension to fall out. Get yourself a great pair of isolating tweezers to make this process easier, our best selling isolating tweezer here at Pinkfishes is our Fibre Tip Straight Tweezer. 

 (Isolation with Pinkfishes Straight Tweezer) 

Using lash extensions that are too heavy or long for the natural lashes could also cause breakage, as part of a lash techs craft they will learn on their training course to access clients natural lashes and apply lash extensions which are safe for each clients natural lashes. For more information on lash weight read our blog; Lash Weights: How many lashes can I have in a fan?. Placement of the lash extensions is also important to avoid lashes falling out too quickly! You don't want to place the lash extensions too high up the lash otherwise it will grow out quicker and need an infill quicker or will fall off as it grows up the natural lash due to the weight distribution. The extension also needs to be placed straight and ideally wrapped around the natural lash to ensure the best retention, if its placed wonky or not adhered properly to the natural lash it may fall off when your client brushes through their lashes. 

Not following Proper Aftercare

If clients don't follow the correct aftercare instructions they could make their own lashes fall out quicker! Picking, pulling, twisting & rubbing lashes will cause friction and could lead to clients not only pulling out their extensions but their natural lashes too. Instead recommend that clients brush their lashes daily with a spoolie/brush to keep them looking neat and maintain the fluffiness instead of touching them with their hands. Clients should also be washing their lashes daily/every other day with a lash shampoo like Pink Refine, this will help keep them healthy and clean. If clients don't wash their lashes makeup, natural oils and dirt can build up leading to extensions falling out prematurely. You also shouldn't be using mascara or eyelash curlers with lash extensions as they can also damage the extensions and cause them to lift. 

Lifestyle

A clients lifestyle choices can also have various impacts. A simple choice including the way they sleep can effect the retention of their lash extensions. A helpful tip to give your clients is to try sleeping on their back as friction from moving in the night and rubbing their lashes against the pillow can also cause them to come out. Hobbies such as swimming can also effect your lash extensions, chlorine can dry out the lashes making them more brittle and weaken the bond with the adhesive - you can still swim with lash extension but consider goggles or making sure to wash them after every swim! 

Products

As a lash tech you need to know that the products you use will have an effect on the retention of your clients lashes. Firstly it is important to purchase high quality lash extension specialised products - no nail glue here! Lash adhesive can have a direct effect on retention, stronger glues will have higher levels of cyanoacrylate which is the bonding agent meaning they are likely to have better retention. Check out Pinkfishes strong lash adhesives; Pink Royalty, Pink Supreme, Pink Radical & Pink Radical II. There are also other products you can use to help aid retention, Pinkfishes Pink Elixir acts as a sealant over the adhesive to help strengthen and prevent other factors breaking down the adhesive bond.

(Pink Elixir Experiment)

Pink Creation Primer and Pink Prep Pads are both pre-treatment products which help to clean the natural lashes, helping to create an ideal bonding surface for the lash extensions leading to better retention. 

Understanding why lash extensions fall out will help both lash technicians and clients to ensure the best possible retention. Whether it's due to the natural hair cycle, improper application, incorrect aftercare, or lifestyle choices, each factor plays a role in how long your lash extensions will last. By following the right aftercare, using high-quality products, and ensuring proper application techniques, you can minimize the chances of premature shedding. Remember, a little extra care and attention can go a long way in keeping your lash extensions looking fresh and full for as long as possible. By managing expectations and offering the best advice to clients, you can ensure a beautiful lash experience every time! Clients need to know that lash extensions won't last forever but there are always infills!