In the lash industry, lash extension retention is one of the major problems that usually lead to unhappy clients and stressed-out lash technicians. Even the most experienced lash stylist may experience problems with lash extension retention due to different factors.

What is eyelash extension retention? 

Eyelash extensions are lovely and allow you to enhance your appearance and help you eliminate those long morning makeup routines. However, they need some routine maintenance, and if not given the necessary attention, you will have retention problems.

Retention is how long eyelash extensions remain attached to the natural lash before falling off. Retention problems can result from a variety of circumstances, but they are typically brought on by lash clients who neglect to properly care for their extensions. 

Let's now talk about what can contribute to the lash retention problem. 

Factors contributing to poor lash retention 

Problems with lash retention can occur for a variety of reasons, including product selection, application difficulties, and even environmental factors. Here are a few of them: 

• Environment – it is your responsibility as a lash artist to ensure that the humidity and temperature in your work environment are ideal for the glue and other items you use. You may experience application issues that could possibly affect lash retention if it is too hot, cold, or dry.

• No proper/necessary preparation - Clean, oil-free natural lashes are required for lash extensions to bond to them. You must inform lash clients that they should buy a quality lash shampoo to maintain their extensions and natural lashes clean in between appointments, and they should always clean and prepare the lashes before having lash extension sessions. 
  

Regardless of whether you prefer an alcohol-containing or alcohol-free lash primer, both can improve application and retention by removing oils, proteins, and product residue from the lashes.

• Application method and technique - Do you take the time to check that each eyelash is secured and ensure that the glue is cured properly? Do you have good isolation? Poor retention might occasionally result from rushing through an appointment or not taking adequate care with your application. Review your method on how you make the application. These could also be a factor that might result in retention problems after the application.
  
• Clients with oily skin - sometimes clients have oily skin, which can also affect their lashes. As a lash artist, you may suggest lashing clients find and try to use a product on their eyelids that reduces the oil on their lashes.
• Clients not following aftercare advice - if it's the same lash client every time, or you can see that aftercare advice isn't being followed, take the time to remind them. They may have forgotten or not realize that something they're doing is causing their retention issues. Remind them every time they get their lashes done, even if they've been coming to you for years.
• Natural Lash fall-out cycle -  Naturally, eyelashes fall out every day, up to five lashes in a single day. Like the hair on any other part of your body, your eyelashes naturally fall out and are replaced by new ones. This is very normal and natural. This means that, at best, you can anticipate your eyelash extensions to last for 6 to 8 weeks. Because eyelash extensions are connected to lashes, lash extensions are not exempted from fall out.

For eyelash extensions to last a long time, aftercare is essential. Here are a few tips for doing you can share with lash clients. 

Avoid sleeping face down. If you can, try to sleep on your back. In order to support your back, place a pillow beneath your knees. If you sleep on your side, keep your pillow away from your eyelashes to secure your eyelash extensions. You can also place a hand between your face and pillow to prevent the extensions from squishing into the pillow. Remind them that sleeping on their face results in pillow lines and eye puffiness; maybe this will deter them from doing so in the future.

Don't massage, twiddle, pull, or allow the water from the shower to pelt the extensions. Continuous, repetitive motions on the extensions might harm the follicle by loosening the connection and causing the extensions to fall out. The extensions may also come off due to the weight of the water. Allow the extensions to dry completely before brushing them.

Avoid using mascara, liquid or gel eyeliner, or organic solvents like oils, glycols, or carbomers. These things will cause the extensions to pull off by dissolving the cyanoacrylate adhesive. Additionally, these things will clump the extensions and natural lashes together at the base of the extensions, which can irritate the eyes. Washing these items off the extensions without rubbing them off is difficult. If lash clients enjoy wearing makeup, suggest using a powder. They may then dampen an angled brush and smudge it into the powder and along the lash line to create the appearance of a thicker "liquid" line.

Lash clients must use a mild, water-based cleanser to clean their lash line every day. A water-based, gentle cleanser and fluffy brush aftercare kit is a must. For healthy lashes, maintain a healthy lash line. Any buildup along the lash line can prevent healthy cellular turnover, prevent the follicle from receiving oxygen, which is necessary for healthy germinative cellular reproduction, and cause lash loss or an excess of bacteria that can cause infection, dry eyes, or even irritation.

Final Thought

Eyelash extensions are ultimately a semi-permanent improvement; therefore they will fall out over time. Eyelash extensions typically last two to three weeks before they need to be refilled. The health of your lash client's natural eyelashes, how well they are taken care of, and the climate they expose their extensions to are a few more aspects that come into play. There are, of course, a number of strategies to assist your eyelash extensions in the last longer, but they won't last much longer than a month before an infill is required.