Eyelash Extension FAQs
Please click on any of the text below for answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about Xtreme Lashes.
General Information:
- What are Xtreme Lashes®?
Xtreme Lashes® are semi-permanent eyelash extensions comprised of individual synthetic eyelashes that are curved to replicate a natural eyelash. Our lashes are thicker at the base and taper to a fine point. They are applied to individual eyelashes, one extension at a time, for a natural, elegant look to lengthen and add fullness to the existing lashes. Xtreme Lashes® are for professional application only. Self-application and application by untrained individuals is strongly discouraged.
- What are they made of?
Xtreme Lashes® are crafted from synthetic polyester. Synthetic lashes respond better to wear and tear than other materials. In addition, synthetics have the least possible chance of allergic reactions with human skin. Testing has shown that there are higher percentages of people who will have adverse reactions to contact with lash extensions created from animal hairs such as mink.
- What do Xtreme Lashes® look like and how do they feel?
With proper application, Xtreme Lashes® look and feel completely real. Each application is customized to suit the individual. We offer three thicknesses of lashes and two different curls with lengths ranging from 6mm to 17mm in a variety of colors for highlighting effects. Differing individual synthetic lash lengths are chosen to carefully replicate the shape and frame of a natural lash line. The thickness of the Xtreme Lashes® applied is determined by the health and thickness of your natural lashes as well as personal preference. The overall effect is added curl, thickness and length, opening up the eye for added definition.
Xtreme Lashes® are designed to be indistinguishable in size and weight to human lashes. They are flexible yet crimp-resistant and they move with your natural lashes. As long as you keep up with the touch up applications, it is almost impossible to tell that you are wearing the extensions.
Because an Xtreme Lash® is an exact replica of an eyelash, it weighs about as much as a natural lash: practically nothing. You will not notice the addition of the extensions to your lashes and they will not cause your natural lashes to fall out ahead of their natural cycle as other enhancement methods can.
- What are the benefits of wearing Xtreme Lashes®?
Most women choose Xtreme Lashes® to lengthen their natural lashes while others want their lashes to look fuller. A number of women with naturally light colored lashes choose Xtreme Lashes® to darken their existing lashes. Still others love the different, fun looks they can achieve with highlighting and layering.
Xtreme Lashes® can create a younger appearance on many clients. Several consumers who were contemplating having work done on their faces have informed us that they no longer feel the need as a result of wearing Xtreme Lashes®. Xtreme Lashes® semi-permanent eyelash extensions create the appearance of a brighter, more open and rested eye, thereby creating a more youthful and rejuvenated look.
Above all the main advantage of Xtreme Lashes® is how much time you can save during your beauty regimen. Xtreme Lashes® allow you to spend less time with makeup; mascara is certainly no longer necessary. Because our lashes are bigger at the base, they create the same effect as eyeliner so that step can be avoided as well. Overall, Xtreme Lashes® will give you the appearance of having put significant effort into your eye makeup when, in reality, you spent no time at all. No application of eye makeup and no need for removal at the end of the day. The added benefit is that they look beautiful morning and night, all day, every day. Say goodbye to the application of mascara, stained tears and mascara masks around the eyes. With Xtreme Lashes® you can look and feel gorgeous from the moment you wake up until the moment you fall asleep with little to no effort.
- How long do Xtreme Lashes® last?
When properly applied, an Xtreme Lashes® eyelash extension will remain in place until the natural lash on which it rests falls out. This can be as long as two months or more.
Natural eyelashes grow in and fall out in cycles (every 60 to 90 days). When a natural lash matures and falls out, a new lash has already been growing and quickly replaces it without us noticing the turnover. This process is constant and at any given moment our many natural lashes are at different stages of maturity. Some are just growing in while others are ready to shed. People typically shed between 1 and 5 natural lashes each day depending on their individual growth cycles. On shorter natural lashes this growing and shedding cycle is virtually unnoticeable.
When eyelashes are extended with Xtreme Lashes®, it will be more noticeable when these lashes shed because they are longer and darker than natural lashes. Please keep in mind this is a perfectly normal occurrence with or without extensions. Lash Stylists will apply Xtreme Lashes® primarily to those lashes that are in the middle of their maturation cycle to maximum the amount of time they will last, without jeopardizing the health of ‘baby lashes’. The Xtreme Lash® will fall out with the natural lash it is attached to when it reaches the end of its growth cycle. A few Xtreme Lashes® may shed within the first week because the attached natural lashes are at the end of their growth cycle. Most will remain in place for approximately two months.
With proper care and maintenance, touch ups are typically only needed once every 2 to 4 weeks to replace the lashes that have shed. Your Xtreme Lashes® Stylist will add extensions to the newest mature natural lashes to maintain a full, lush appearance.
- How long does the procedure take?
Depending on the the number of lashes being applied, it generally takes between 90 to 120 minutes to apply a full set of Xtreme Lashes®. Touch ups can be done in as little as 15 to 45 minutes.
- Can you describe the application process?
You will be comfortably reclined with your eyes closed while Xtreme Lashes® are applied lash by lash to your own natural eyelashes. There is no discomfort or pain involved in the procedure. In fact, most clients find it is so relaxing and comfortable that they fall asleep.
- I have no lashes at all, can I wear Xtreme Lashes®?
Because Xtreme Lashes® are applied to existing natural lashes you must have some natural lashes to receive the procedure. Every client is unique and we can work with a variety of scenarios so please schedule a consultation for an individual evaluation of your needs.
- Can I apply Xtreme Lashes® to myself?
No. Only a trained professional will be able to safely apply Xtreme Lashes®. Unprofessional application or self-application may cause eye injury, lash damage or unnatural looking lashes. Xtreme Lashes® are applied one lash at a time to your individual natural eyelashes to achieve long, thick and natural looking eyelashes. The procedure involves bonding the synthetic extension to your own natural eyelashes and should be performed by professionally trained Lash Stylists only.
Care & Maintenance:
- How do I care for my Xtreme Lashes®?
Though Xtreme Lashes® are easy to maintain, the first twenty-four hours are crucial for a strong bond. You should keep your lashes dry and avoid touching them. After twenty-four hours, care is fairly simple: avoid oil based products and be gentle with the lashes. They are resistant to water, sweat and tears.
In general, to maintain your new look and extend the life of your lashes, follow these simple guidelines:
- For the first 24 hours after application the lashes should not be exposed to water or steam to allow the adhesive time to fully bond. We recommend avoiding swimming and the spa for 48 hours after lash application for best results.
- Be gentle with your lashes; do not pull on the extensions or rub the eyes excessively.
- Avoid the use of oil-based products on or around the lashes and do not use waterproof mascara. Water based mascara and water based mascara remover may be used if desired. Apply the mascara sparingly and remove it gently with a water-based eye makeup remover. Ask us about the Xtreme Lashes® water-based mascaras and Xtreme Eye Makeup Remover, specially formulated for eyelash extensions. Apply mascara on the tips only. Note: Xtreme Lashes® are ideally suited for individuals who want longer, fuller lashes without the need for much additional eye makeup. Constant application of heavy eye makeup, particularly mascara and eyeliner, may reduce the lifespan of your Xtreme Lashes® and require more frequent touch ups.
- Ask us about Xtreme Lashes® Protective Coating. You can apply Protective Coating once or twice per week on your new lashes to preserve the look and extend the life of your Xtreme Lashes®. Brush on from the base up to the tips. This coating also gives the lashes a wonderful shine!
We recommend getting a touch up every two to four weeks to maintain maximum fullness of your Xtreme Lashes®.
- Can I swim, shower & spa with Xtreme Lashes®?
You can enjoy these lashes with little need to adjust your lifestyle. Provided you follow the simple maintenance instructions, are not involved excessively in heat or water activities, and treat the lashes with care they will last through the natural lash life cycle and fall off with the natural lash, not before. You can swim, shower and spa as usual so long as these activities are not engaged in excessively. (Please do not swim or spa for 48 hours after the procedure to allow the adhesive to fully cure.)
A competitive swimmer who is constantly in the chlorinated water may lose some lashes earlier than the average person as may someone who gets very frequent facials (weekly) or goes into the steam room daily. Doing an above average level of activities related to heat or constant water exposure may weaken the adhesive bond causing some early lash loss.
- Do I need to use any special products on my lashes?
There are no products that are required to be applied to the lashes. Optionally, consumers can use Xtreme Protective Coating® which acts as a sealer on the adhesive creating an even stronger bond to the natural lash. It can be applied one to two times per week on the lashes to extend the lasting power of Xtreme Lashes®. Xtreme Lashes® especially recommends this product to those clients with oily skin or those who do not carefully maintain their lashes.
If you choose to wear mascara we recommend using one of the Xtreme Lashes® water-based mascaras and Xtreme Eye Makeup Remover, specially formulated for eyelash extensions. Additional curl can be safely added to the lashes as well with an Xtreme Lashes® Heated Eyelash Curler. Ask us about these items during your appointment. Apply mascara on the tips only.
- Can I apply mascara to Xtreme Lashes®?
Indeed, one of the main advantages of Xtreme Lashes® is that you never need mascara again. However, if you must have the mascara look, only water based mascara can be used. You can purchase one of the specially formulated Xtreme Lashes® mascaras at Lash by Lash Studio. DO NOT USE OIL-BASED OR WATER-PROOF MASCARA. Waterproof mascara along with any type of oil based mascara will dissolve the adhesive and cause your Xtreme Lashes® to fall off.
- How often should I get touch-ups?
A natural lash typically sheds every 60 to 90 days and is replaced with the growth of a new eyelash. Since Xtreme Lashes® are applied one by one to each individual hair, after 2-4 weeks, approximately 1/3 of the lashes will have cycled out. At this point, touch ups are required to replace the lashes that have completed their life cycle. Touch ups generally take a short time and are relatively inexpensive.
- What do I do if I want them removed?
As the natural lashes cycle out and shed, Xtreme Lashes® will shed with them. However, if necessary, Xtreme Lashes® can be professionally removed by Lash by Lash Studio using a specially formulated adhesive remover. The removal process normally takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes for a full set. Never try to remove eyelash extensions on your own. Damage can be caused by pulling the extensions off with the natural lash, removing the natural lash before it is ready to shed.
Health & Safety Concerns:
- Is the product FDA approved? Is it safe?
At this time, the FDA does not regulate eyelash extensions since they are solely applied to the lashes and do not touch the skin.
The primary ingredient in Xtreme Lashes Adhesives is the same ingredient used by plastic surgeons in the U.S. for suture-less wound closure (to close skin wounds without stitches). The application process is pain-free and relaxing. In fact, many clients fall asleep during the procedure. However, improper application by an unqualified technician can cause damage to your eyes and eyelids. Do not trust your eyes to just any technician. Your Lash by Lash Stylist is a Certified Xtreme Lashes® Stylist.
- Do Xtreme Lashes® damage the natural lashes?
Xtreme Lashes® cause no damage to the natural lashes. The adhesives we use have been developed to exacting specifications. Our top priority was ensuring a thoroughly safe product so we chose to follow the standards set by the US Medical Industry and top US Surgeons. The main ingredient in both our adhesives is the same ingredient used for suture-less wound closure. These adhesives are the perfect blend of safety, longevity, flexibility and strength.
Xtreme Lashes® strongly believes that eyelash extensions are best applied by individuals who are already trained in areas like sanitation, safety, and health issues. Therefore, we sell exclusively to individuals who have previously received training in a health or beauty field such as cosmetology, esthetics or nursing. In addition we require these trained professionals attend and successfully complete our hands-on workshop in order to purchase any of the professional products or tools we offer. Individuals in our course are graded and must submit photographs of their work for review prior to becoming certified by Xtreme Lashes®.
- Is there anyone who should not have Xtreme Lashes® applied?
Because Xtreme Lashes® are applied to existing natural lashes an individual must have some natural lashes for the procedure. Xtreme Lashes® should not, and in many cases cannot, be applied to clients who have alopecia, are undergoing chemotherapy or those who suffer from Trichotillomania, unless and until the individual has received effective treatment and normal lash growth has resumed.
Cancer/Chemotherapy Recovery: Cancer patients can begin having Xtreme Lashes® applied once chemo has completed and lashes are beginning to grow in again. During this initial growth stage the lashes are weaker and thinner than they originally were. Xtreme Lashes® Thin (.10mm) lashes can be applied during this stage to thicken the lash line without causing stress to these weakened lashes. As stronger lashes start to grow, Xtreme Lashes® Thick (.15mm) lashes can added for more fullness. For cancer patients whose lashes are growing back sporadically, Xtreme Lashes® Stylists can use special techniques to compensate for any gaps.
Alopecia: Xtreme Lashes® should only be applied once lash growth has resumed. As with Cancer recovery patients, special techniques can be used to add additional fullness during the regrowth period and to compensate for any gaps.
Trichotillomania: Individuals with Trichotillomania (an impulse disorder characterized by the urge to pull eyelashes and other hair out) do not make good candidates for Xtreme Lashes® unless and until they have received effective treatment. Extensions may provide a stronger urge for these individuals to pull at their lashes if they are not undergoing treatment.
Skin Sensitivity: Although our adhesives are developed to be safe for use on the skin, Xtreme Lashes® are never applied to the skin therefore allergic reactions due to contact with our adhesives are rare. Individuals with allergies to other cosmetics or fragrances may experience some sensitivity to ingredients in some of the other materials used to apply Xtreme Lashes® such as our Anti-Wrinkle Gel Patches. We recommend those with known sensitivities undergo a patch test on the Gel Patches prior to application. If necessary, Lash Stylists can apply medical tape under the eyes during the procedure instead.
- How do other lash options compare with Xtreme Lashes®?
There are several other methods for enhancing lashes available today. Be sure you read the following information to make an informed decision.
False Strip Lashes
Traditional false lashes are made up of numerous human or synthetic eyelashes attached together in one pre-made strip. Strips are adhered with a temporary adhesive on the skin above the upper lash line.
Although readily available and relatively easy to use, strips are the least natural looking and possibly most damaging of the eyelash enhancement options. They should not be applied frequently or worn long term. Doing so can lead to infections, blocked glands, premature lash loss and even permanent lash baldness due to follicle damage from the adhesives. The adhesives used can also loosen from perspiration or contact with water causing potentially embarrassing situations.
Flares or Lash Clusters (Occasionally misrepresented as lash extensions)
Cluster lashes, or flares, typically consist of groups of 5-8 blunt-end lashes knotted together. They can be applied either directly to the skin (between natural lashes) or on top of a grouping of existing lashes.
They are more natural in appearance than strips but carry many of the same concerns (the same skin adhesives are used when attaching to the eyelid) as well as a few additional ones. Several natural lashes are typically glued together to support the weight of a single flare. If left in place for a period of time, this will cause faster growing natural lashes to prematurely pull out slower growing lashes from the root because they are adhered together. This can result in permanent damage and lash baldness if done repeatedly.
*If you book an appointment for eyelash extensions make sure you are getting single synthetic Xtreme Lashes® and not flares or ‘individuals’.
Individuals (Often misrepresented as lash extensions)
‘Individuals’ are synthetic lashes that are stacked one on top of the other and attached at the base, often with a knot to allow for fast and easy adhesion. Typically there are three lashes in each grouping with the longest on the bottom and the shortest on the top attached together. Like flares, individuals can be attached to either the skin, if they are knotted, or the natural lashes.
Individuals have the same concerns as clusters or flares (see above) with regards to weight when applied to the lashes and skin irritation when applied directly to the eyelid.
*If you book an appointment for eyelash extensions make sure you are getting single synthetic Xtreme Lashes® and not flares or ‘individuals’.
Eyelash extension FAQs courtesy of Xtreme Lashes.
