When lash shedding season rolls around, it takes many clients & lash techs by surprise. You may have noticed at certain points in the year that your lashes are starting to fall out more than normal. This might at first raise a couple alarm bells for clients, especially if they are not familiar with the lash growth cycles! There's no need to panic - it's just lash-shedding season!
Let's explore the natural lash-shedding cycle, so you can help your clients understand their lash loss.
What Is Lash Shedding Season?
Lash shedding season is a completely natural process that everyone experiences. Seasonal lash shedding generally occurs during the spring and fall due to changes in temperature. Most people lose between one and five lashes every day, but during seasonal lash shedding, they may lose more.
Managing Lash Shedding - Tips For Lash Techs
Keep Your Studio at the Correct Heat & Humidity for Your Adhesive
Every lash tech knows that every adhesive on the market has a different heat & humidity that it operates best in. Try your best to keep your lashing room at the correct temperature & humidity to allow the adhesive to cure properly. You can look into portable air conditioning units for a more long-term solution, but fans and humidifiers work well for most!
Try a Lash Superbonder
If your lash glue isn't drying as quickly in increased humidity, try a superbonder to improve the hold of your adhesive. Superbonders accelerate the adhesive curing process so you can be more confident that the extensions will hold more securely, for longer.
BELO Lash Superbonder, 15ml, £23.49
Avoid Excessive Manipulation
A lash artist should always handle applications and removals of eyelash extensions gently. If the lashes are handled roughly, this could affect the natural lashes and make the lashes shed prematurely. It can also loosen the lash adhesive as it's curing, causing the lash extensions to fall out quicker.
Use a Lash Primer Where Needed
Lash primers are primarily used for clients who have naturally oilier lashes and skin, but in increased heat and humidity, where there is a natural increase in sweat and oils, a primer may be needed to ensure the same retention for your sets. Lash primers remove makeup, oils and dirt from the lashes to ensure the perfect base for your application every time.
BELO Lash Primer, 15ml, £15.49
Managing Lash Shedding - Tips For Your Clients
Practise Proper Lash Hygiene
Proper lash hygiene is essential. Lash extensions should be cleansed at least 2-3 times per week (more is always better!) using an oil-free cleanser, like your Lash Lather Cleanser to prevent makeup and debris from accumulating on them. When cleaning lashes, make sure it is done gently and thoroughly to avoid impurities causing unnecessary harm.
BELO Lash Lather Cleanser, 60ml, £9.99
Attend More Frequent Infill Appointments
If your client is really worried about their lash loss, even after adhering to their post-treatment care, encourage them to schedule more frequent infills to get them over the seasonal slump. Regular refill sessions keep the lashes looking more consistent over the course of the month - so bump up from every 3 weeks to every 2 weeks during seasonal changes.
Other Factors Influencing Lash Shedding
There are factors other than seasonal lash shedding that can affect how many lashes are lost or when they are lost. These factors can influence the natural lash cycle as well as lash growth.
Hormonal Changes
If it isn't eyelash-shedding season, your client should consider if their lashes may be affected by hormonal fluctuations. Is your client pregnant or going through menopause? Are they on birth control pills or hormone therapy? These factors can all affect how our eyelashes grow.
Age
Age affects everyone. The older a person gets, the more disrupted the seasonal lash shedding can be. If the lash growth cycle slows down, shedding may be more prominent. This is a good time for you to encourage your clients to consider eyelash extensions.
Harsh Makeup Products
As a rule, everyone should steer clear of any harsh makeup removers, as they can cause immense damage to your eyelashes. Even something like excessive rubbing can be harmful to lashes.
Lash Shedding and Your Clients' Extensions
If your client is experiencing lash shedding, they may notice their lash extensions looking a little shabby or uneven. This is not only disconcerting for your client but for you as well! If this is the case, it's best for your client to move up their refill appointments, limiting the amount of time between sessions. This ensures that they're always looking their best!
It is up to the lash techs to educate their clients and help them understand how lash-shedding season can affect them and the appearance of their lash extensions. It's all about managing your client's expectations. You can explain that some variation in lash appearance is normal, and while eyelash extensions can help lessen the appearance of shedding, they are not permanent.
Conclusion
Lash shedding is totally normal, especially when it comes to a seasonal lash shed. So you and your clients have nothing to worry about. While lash-shedding season will have an effect on your client's lash extensions, as long as you have the knowledge to deal with it, you can make your clients (and their lashes) look great!
