I decided I would start 2017 off with a blog post on lash extensions only because in 2016 not a week went by without someone asking me about them.  I have decided to share publicly what I have been sharing in the examination room to make everyone aware.  First off, I am not one to judge, vanity or not, this post is about; 1. the question that everyone has been asking (some may be afraid to ask) and 2. my responsibility as an eye care provider to protect and maintain ocular health.  With that, let’s get this started.

I predict that lash extensions are going to be the latest fad, much like tanning salons, to disappear over the next 3-4 years.  I have seen the improvements made over the years, we even have one next door to us at the existing office, they look more natural, they are very becoming on most people and the adhesive being used is better than ever before.  However, I have difficulty believing, mainly because I have seen it first hand, that the adhesive is coming off before a reapplication (or a fill) is being performed.  As with anything that builds up over time this is not healthy.  Once again, my job & responsibility is to make sure that the lashes are healthy after all is said and done and that you don’t look back in 5 years and say, “why did I ever do that, now I don’t have any lashes at all?”  What I have come to see is that the adhesive (which again is very gentle & the reason why you have to go in every 6 weeks to keep up with these extensions) is not being removed prior to reapplying new extensions, which may cause you to lose your natural lashes.  I have had discussions with all the surrounding lash studios about this.  They have a responsibility to inspect that prior to reapplying a new “fill.”

I suggest that, for the health of your natural lashes, that a gentle procedure that I have been providing for the past 3 years called BlephEx be performed periodically to clean the lashes from the adhesive.  This treatment takes about 10 minutes in the chair, you can drive home and the sensation is merely a tickle to the eyelids/eyelashes.  You come away with clean lashes and lids, not like the ones pictured below, and this helps to maintain the health and integrity of them.  Finally, there is a pharmaceutical agent available called Latisse that helps lashes grown longer and fuller.  This also an option for most.

If you have questions, feel free to contact me at DrGee@GeeEyeCare.com or comment below.  Happy New Year!

Dr. Gee