The short version: Yes, you can be allergic. It’s fairly uncommon, but over the 15 years we have been doing eyelash extensions, we have found that on average 1 in around 1,000 of our clients have developed a reaction of some kind. It is most commonly characterised by swollen, itchy eyelids that occur usually within 6-24 hours after the treatment. It can occur the first time (very unusual), or develop after many years/applications. It can be treated by a Dr/pharmacist, and usually subsides quickly with treatment and/or removal. You can be sensitive to eyelash extension adhesive, but not allergic. But you cannot be allergic without being sensitive (which is why it can sometimes build up over time to eventually produce a visible reaction).

The long version: (if you want to learn more about this!) Like all cosmetic products, there are some individuals who may be allergic, or sensitive to eyelash extensions adhesives/glues. It is possible to develop an allergy over time – sometimes this can occur the second or third time, but sometimes many years down the track. This is due to sensitisation/repeat exposure to an ingredient that you were always sensitive to, and your body has developed an immune response that has resulted in an allergy. Once you develop an allergy, you will always be allergic to the ingredient. Your body will (unfortunately!) remember.

How common are reactions/allergies, and can they be treated? Full blown allergic reactions are quite rare (particularly if you have never worn extensions before) and usually subside quickly once the extensions are removed. If you have had an allergic reaction to any eyelash extensions (usually characterised by swollen, red, puffy/itchy eyelids) we cannot ethically apply any lashes in the future – as it means it would be highly likely you will be allergic again and subsequent reactions can be worse due to ongoing sensitisation. The body remembers, and the immune response will always occur once you are allergic. If you are unsure, we can do a patch test (though a patch test won’t always show up an allergy, as it’s non-scientific, and of course only a very small amount of adhesive is used.) We aren’t able to diagnose an allergic reaction though, and if we suspect you think you are experiencing one, we will recommend that you seek the advice of a Dr. or pharmacist first – as only a medical professional can make this diagnosis.

What is it eyelash extension glue that causes allergies? All eyelash extension adhesives contain some form of acrylate (which is what makes them set hard/have waterproof properties) and it is thought that it is this ingredient that causes most reactions. This is why we find that even using a lower strength/sensitive glue (all of our glues are low-fume), a reaction will still occur. One day we hope that an effective adhesive will be developed that does not contain any acrylate, but so far any that we have tested have not worked at all, or have still caused reactions. Please be way of salons offering ‘sensitive’ glues for those with allergies – as any proper eyelash extension glue will still contain the base ingredient of acrylate, it just may contain less fumes. We offer sensitive glues, but they are not suitable for those with allergies to adhesives. The only way to know for sure, is to undergo extensive personal allergy testing for all kinds of acrylates, as well as carbon. We do not think that carbon pigment causes many reactions at all, as whenever we have trialed clear adhesives on clients that have known allergies to adhesives at their request, the reaction has been the same.

Are red eyes after eyelash extensions signs of an allergy? Again, we can’t diagnose anyone individually (and allergic reactions can present in different ways) but from experience we have generally found that unless accompanied by swelling/itchy eyelids, red eyes on their own are usually a sign of a fume sensitivity/exposure, or sensitivity to an ingredient in the under eye pads, and don’t develop into a reaction. If your eyes don’t close properly in an appointment, or if you have extremely dry eyes naturally, some redness can occur. The reason is not that the glue has gotten into your eye (it’s virtually impossible – we’ve never had a single case of this) – it’s because the way the glue cures is to draw moisture from the air. If you eye is not closed properly, it will dry your eye out a little and can cause some redness/stinging. Our stylists are trained in many clever ways to minimise this, and we usually find that even those clients who have had redness and stinging elsewhere, do not have this experience here. Please always tell us if you are finding anything uncomfortable, so we can make adjustments! One reason we will advise against a lot of talking in appointments (particularly if you animated/move your eyes around a lot!) is so that they can remain still/properly closed.

Can I have eyelash extensions again if I’ve had an allergic reaction? No, and we are really sorry about this. One day (if science progresses) maybe, but for now, you’re best avoiding them as it will be a waste of your time and money, and may be painful. You may however be able to have a lash lift, as the ingredients used are completely different. We would recommend a patch test for this first, in case. To date, we have only every had ONE recorded instance of a client being allergic to both extensions and lash lifts, so hopefully it is something that can work for you!

What if I had a bad application somewhere where lashes were stuck my eyelids – will this cause a reaction? Lash adhesives are not meant to be applied onto the skin – they are very different from the soft, rubbery glues use for false (1-day) lash application. So whilst a bad application alone is not the cause of reaction, having a very bad application is much more likely to trigger an allergic reaction, just due to the amount of glue exposure. So please choose wisely and ensure that your stylist is experienced. And…don’t try this at home! It probably goes without saying, but eyelash extensions are not a DIY-friendly!

What do I do if I am having an allergic reaction to eyelash extensions? If you do have an allergic reaction, you must seek medical advice prior to us removing the extensions. Please get in touch as we want to help as soon as possible. We cannot give out individual medical advice though, and from our experience some doctors will actually recommend not removing the extensions immediately/other treatment may be recommended first – as this can cause further irritation due to the solvents used.

(If you have had an allergic reaction from another salon and wish to have your lashes removed, we can only attempt this if we have a doctor’s certificate recommending immediate removal)