Lash lifts are a fantastic service if you’re looking to enhance your natural eyelashes. They don’t require as much maintenance as other semi-permanent services like lash extensions. Instead, it’s like chemically curling and lifting the lashes.
However, if you want a lash lift to last, a few guidelines need to be followed. For example, you should avoid wearing makeup and getting your eyelashes wet for at least 24-48 hours. In addition, you’ll want to adjust your beauty or skincare routines.
A lash lift will chemically alter the structure of your lashes, so it’s crucial to maintain the shape. However, a lash lift will eventually fall when new growth occurs. Then, it will be time to go in for another lash lift or even a touch-up service.
What if you got your lashes wet after a lash lift? Well, it depends on when you got your lash lift wet. For example, if your lashes get wet under 24-48 hours after your service, the curl and shape will begin to diminish.
However, if you get your lashes wet every once in a while, after 48 hours, there is less of a chance your curl will fall. There are other aftercare practices you can follow to ensure your lash lift stays put for as long as possible, so read on for more.
How Long Should You Avoid Wetting Your Lash Lift?
Lash lifts are like a perm for your eyelashes. So, if you’re familiar with perms, you’ll know that they use chemical solutions to break down the bonds in your hair so they can be sealed into a new shape. Also, there are strict aftercare guidelines to follow.
Water and moisture can weaken your lash lift, especially if you come into contact within 24 hours of your service. This will cause your lash lift to fall, and there will be less of a chance for you to maintain your lash lift.
How long you need to wait will vary by your lash tech and their products. Ideally, it would be best if you waited 24-48 hours before wetting your lash lift. However, you can consult with your lash tech.
What Happens If You Shower After A Lash Lift?
Showering is not recommended for at least 24-48 hours following your lash lift service. If you love to run hot water, it can weaken the curl of your lash lift. The steam and moisture created from the hot water will be enough to loosen the lashes’ bonds.
So, if you shower with hot water after a lash lift, your results will be prone to falling or weakening. If you must shower, try cold water and avoid wetting your face at all costs.
What Happens If You Cry After A Lash Lift?
Unfortunately, crying after a lash lift isn’t ideal. It can weaken the curl of your lash lift if you cry right after your appointment. Your tears are also a form of moisture that can ruin or diminish the curl from your lash lift.
It can be tricky to stop tears right at the source, but it’s crucial to keep your lash line dry, so your curl has time to set into place. However, if you need to cry, it may be wise to keep tissues close by to catch the tears before touching the lashes.
Of course, you should always consult first with your lash tech.
What To Avoid After A Lash Lift
It’s not just crying and showering that you need to avoid. You shouldn’t partake in numerous other activities within the first 24-48 hours following your lash lift service. These include swimming, saunas, sweating, or heat.
These activities are generally a good idea to avoid at all points of having a lash lift because overexposure to water and moisture can flatten your curls even after 24-48 hours.
Swimming
Swimming should be avoided for at least 24-48 hours post lash lift. The chemicals in the pool water can have an unwanted effect on your lashes. You’ll be surrounded by water which can potentially loosen or weaken your curl.
Also, excessive exposure to water can shorten the lifespan of your lash lift in general. So, it may be wise to skip out on your pool day.
Saunas/Steam
Another activity to avoid is hitting the sauna. Saunas can provide numerous health benefits, but they aren’t ideal if you want to maintain a lash lift. We mentioned that showering with hot water can create steam that can loosen your lash lift’s curl.
Saunas produce more steam and heat than a shower, so it’s beneficial to avoid going into one at all costs.
Sweating/Heat
You may also want to put your workouts on hold because they can disrupt the time your lash lift needs to set into place.
Sweat is another form of moisture that can potentially ruin the shape or curl of a lash lift, especially if you do so frequently.
Also, if you’re in a particularly hot environment, your lash lift could weaken. So, it’s best to keep cool, if possible, during the first 24-48 hours after your eyelash service.
Wearing Contacts
Most people are unaware that you can’t wear contact lenses to your lash lift appointment.
This is because lash lifts use various chemical solutions to perm your eyelashes, and it can be a safety risk if those chemicals get into your eye or touch your contact lenses.
Contact lenses are also covered in their own solution, which can also wet or weaken the lash lift. So, it’s crucial to remember to avoid wearing contact lenses to your appointment and at least two days after your service.
How To Avoid Wetting Your Lashes
Thankfully, there are a few ways you can avoid wetting your lashes. These methods will ensure you can keep up with your daily beauty routines without putting the longevity of your lash lift at risk.
These practices will be ideal to use whenever you have a lash lift, not just for the first 24-48 hours. It’s significant to know that overexposure to water, pressure, or moisture can weaken your lash lift at any point following your service.
So it’s crucial to take care of your results if you want your curl to last.
Wash Face With A Cloth
One of most people’s biggest concerns following a lash lift is washing the face. You’ll want to avoid splashing large amounts of water onto the face if you’re going to maintain a lash lift. Instead, opt for a washcloth or reusable cotton pad.
You can wet your cloth and gently clean all the areas of your face without drenching your eye or lashes with water. You can even use micellar water or a double-cleansing method to remove any makeup, dirt, or sunscreen from the day.
Shower With Warm/Cool Water
You’ll want to shower with cool or lukewarm water to preserve a lash lift. This will ensure you won’t get into any steamy situations that can weaken your curl. Also, it’s a bonus if you have or install a handheld showerhead.
Handheld showerheads are ideal for those who have lash services because you can direct the water to your body and away from your face. So, you can still shower without needing to wet your face or eyes at all.
Keep A Cool Environment
Sometimes heat and sweat are inevitable, especially if you live in hot and humid climates. However, it’s crucial to keep yourself cool as much as possible. You can pack a small fan in your bag or ensure your AC units run correctly.
Also, it may even be wise to schedule an extra few days at home post lash lift if you want to put extra effort into maintaining your results. But, overall, it’s essential to reduce the chances of coming into contact with moisture.
Avoid Physical Activity
Any forms of physical activity should also be avoided for at least two days.
Again, this is because physical activity will increase the chances of your lash lift coming into contact with moisture because of sweating. So, if possible, take a couple of days to rest.
Once the 48 hours have passed, it will be safer to start exercising or going back to your regular routines because your eyelashes have had time to set.
How To Make Your Lash Lift Last Longer
What are some ways you can prolong the longevity of your lash lift? You’ll be surprised to know one of the methods is cleaning your lashes! Yes, even with a lash lift, you’ll want to gently remove any dirt, dust, debris, or makeup from the eyelashes.
There are a few other things you can do that will ensure your curl stays lifted until it’s time for your touch-up appointment. For example, avoiding certain makeup products, brushing your lashes, and more can prolong their lifespan.
Gently Clean Your Lashes
Your lash tech will provide instructions on how to clean your lashes post-service. You’ll want to wait at least 48 hours before cleaning your eyelashes. In addition, you should clean them gently to ensure you don’t put unnecessary friction on the lashes.
Also, your lash tech will either recommend a lash-friendly cleanser or how to do it with water. Regardless, keeping your lashes clean is crucial to keep the lash line healthy, and your curl is free of debris.
Keep A Disposable Mascara Wand Handy
After your lash service, a disposable mascara wand will become your new best friend. You can also get a pack of disposable spoolies (we like these ones on Amazon).
One of the best ways to maintain a curl is to brush the lashes gently. If you accidentally get your lashes wet, you’ll want to brush them back into place.
A clean mascara wand will be able to separate your lashes and keep them lifted. Also, you can ensure they stay in their proper shape and can grow out with ease. Overall, it’s great to have one handy whenever you’re on the go.
Avoid Certain Mascaras
It’s best to avoid wearing any eye makeup if you’re looking to maintain a lash lift. For example, waterproof mascaras are challenging to remove, and they can disrupt the look and curl of your lash lift. They also aren’t the best for natural lashes in general.
Waterproof mascaras can only be removed with an oil-based product that can also hinder the longevity of your lash lift. So, if possible, avoid wearing eye makeup or choose a gentler mascara formula that won’t affect your eyelashes, like a water-based mascara.
Avoid Oil-Based Eye Makeup Removers
Likewise, it’ll be smart to avoid using oil-based eye makeup removers or any oil-based beauty product around the eye region. The conditioning agents in these oil-based products will reduce the strength and alter your curl shape.
Oil-based products can add extra moisture to your lashes that can weaken or shorten their lifespan. So, avoiding wearing eye makeup altogether or finding safe methods to remove makeup will help prolong your lash lift.
What To Do If You Accidentally Wet Your Lashes
Sometimes accidents happen, or they’re unpredictable. However, you can do a few things if you accidentally wet your lash lift. In most cases, if it’s past the 48-hour mark, there is no need to fret because chances are the curl will still hold.
However, if it’s been less than 48 hours, the best thing you can do is contact your lash tech for guidance.
Gently Brush Them Into Place
If you accidentally get your lash lift wet, you’ll want to keep a disposable mascara wand handy. You can gently brush the lashes if they get wet so they can revert to the shape you originally had with the lash lift.
Brushing them into place will ensure they don’t dry in a weird shape or look too clumpy. Finally, keep a few mascara wands in various locations or when you’re on the go to avoid these lash lift mishaps.
Let Them Dry
Next is to simply let them dry. Sometimes not touching your lashes at all can help in the long run. Also, you don’t want to apply added pressure or friction that could potentially disrupt your lash lift. This will reduce the chances of altering your curl.
Contact Your Lash Technician
Finally, if it’s been less than 48 hours and you get your lashes wet, it’s best to contact your lash technician immediately. Your lash tech is the only one who knows your lashes and can advise how to care for them from this point onwards.
You’ll be able to avoid anything else that could potentially put you or your eyelashes at risk.
Takeaway
Overall, you should avoid getting your lash lift wet for at least 24-48 hours. This is because lash lifts are similar to perms, and they will break down the bonds in your lashes so they can adhere to a new curly shape.
So, they need the extra time to set into place firmly.
Also, each lash tech will provide their guidelines or instructions for aftercare. You’ll want to avoid anything that will make your lashes come into contact with water or moisture. This also includes showering, crying, saunas, exercise, and heat.
However, if 48 hours have passed and you wet your lashes, chances are they’ve already set into place, and the curl won’t be affected. Also, if you overexpose your lashes to any water, moisture, or pressure, it can still weaken your curl.
Finally, you’ll want to clean your lashes regularly to maintain their shape and remove any dirt or debris.
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