Lash Extensions and Lash Mites: Keep Lashes Free Of Infestation

What Are Lash Mites?

Firstly, let’s take a look at what lash mites actually are.

Lash mites are tiny parasites that are virtually invisible to the naked eye, measuring at a third of a millimeter long.

These parasites are completely see-through and are found at the base of the lashes where the hair follicles meet the skin.

Contrary to popular belief about mites in general, lash mites actually aren’t harmful to your eyes or lashes – unless you have too many lash mites.

In fact, a small amount of lash mites is good for your lash health, as they work to digest oils and dead skin cells that naturally build up.

With this in mind, lash mites actually work as a natural cleaning system!

The majority of people will have lash mites that clean their lashes and hair follicles every day without them even knowing it.

Can You Get Mites In Eyelash Extensions?

Yes, it’s very easy to get lash mites in your lash extensions if you don’t clean them every day.

The lash mites will be attracted to the oil and dirt that gathers on and around your dirty lashes, the hair follicle, and eyelash extension.

Do Eyelash Extensions Cause Lash Mites?

Let’s set the record straight – no, eyelash extensions do not cause lash mites.

It’s easy to assume that eyelash extensions would risk the development of excessive lash mites due to the invasive nature of the treatment, but the extensions themselves have nothing to do with the growth of lash mites.

The only thing that causes lash mite infestations is poor hygiene.

So, even with eyelash extensions, you’re going to get some lash mites, but this is typically a healthy amount to clean the oils and lash follicles.

However, this doesn’t mean that the extensions will defend your lashes from these parasites, it just means that the extensions aren’t the root cause of them.

Also, anyone with eyelash extensions will know that a cleaning routine is essential for keeping your false lashes free from bacteria.

If you stick to this cleaning routine, then you shouldn’t have a problem with lash mites. However, if you don’t follow this routine, then you’re basically increasing your chances of having a lash mites issue.

Here are the signs that you might have a lash mite infestation on your eyelash extensions:

• Itchiness and tenderness around the base of the lashes
• Rough patches of skin and scaliness around the lashes
• Dandruff
• Build-up of dead skin and oils
• Blurred vision
• Feeling of something foreign underneath eyelid

How Do Eyelash Extensions Cause Mites?

Yes, but not directly. Lash extensions can make it difficult to properly clean your eyelashes. When this happens, the sebum (oils) will attract lash mites, and they will gather on your lashes.

Poor hygiene causes lash mites, not extensions themselves.

Can You Get Lash Mites From Extensions?

Yes, but the mites are not a direct result of the extensions.

They are attracted to the sebum and other biological debris that builds up on the lashes and hair follicles when they are not properly washed every day.

How Do You Treat and Get Rid Of Eyelash Mites With Eyelash Extensions?

If you have eyelash mites, it’s crucial for you to thoroughly wash your eyelash extensions – and wash them every day.

It may take up to three months for a mite infection to go away, so upkeep is critical.

Get rid of mites in eyelash extensions by doing the following:

• Wash or clean your eyelash extensions and eyelid thoroughly every single day, twice a day
• Use tea tree oil or anti-parasitic medications to help with mite removal
• If the infestation is severe, it is recommended to get your extensions removed

You can avoid a lash mite infestation in the first place by remembering to properly clean your lash extensions and the surrounding area.

If you don’t, it’s similar to consistently sleeping in make up, and no one should do that!

How To Prevent Lash Mites With Eyelash Extensions

So, if you’re paranoid about developing a lash mites problem, you’ll be happy to know that there are things you can do to prevent them from building up on your eyelash extensions.

After all, eyelash extensions are fairly expensive and require good maintenance, so you don’t want your money to go to waste.

The key to preventing lash mites is to follow the cleaning routine after care of your lash extensions as explained by the lash technician.

Cleaning your lashes is slightly more complicated than just splashing water onto your face.

Here are the key steps to prevent lash mites with lash extensions:

1. Use the lash shampoo as per the beauty therapist’s recommendation. Alternatively, you can use baby shampoo, which is delicate enough to go near your eyes. Make sure to avoid generic cleansers, as these are filled with oils that can affect the lash adhesive and cause the extensions to fall out.
2. Apply the lash shampoo to your lashes with a small, clean eyeshadow brush. The brush needs to be completely clean of makeup and soft enough to work the product gently into the lashes without disrupting the adhesive glue. Brush in a downward motion and gently massage the lash base.
3. Dry your lashes with a clean towel to prevent water from remaining, which can cause bacteria to build up. You can also use a hair dryer on a low and cool setting.
4. Finally, comb your lashes with a clean mascara wand to untangle the hairs and prevent clumps.

You should perform this cleaning routine every day with lash extensions to maintain the quality of both the extensions and your natural lashes.

What Does A Lash Mite Infestation Look Like?

Symptoms of a lash mite infestation include the following:

• Rough or scaly patches of skin near the eyes
• Blurry vision
• Lashes sticking together
• Dry eyes
• Redness around the eyes
• Itching eyes
• White buildup on the base of the lashes

Lash Mites From Poor Lash Hygiene

The cause of lash mites is poor hygiene. You can also get lash mites by sharing cosmetic products like mascara with others who may have lash mites.

This is why you should always wash your face twice a day, and prevent skin from getting too oily. Good hygiene and cleaning your eyelids is the key!

Avoid sharing eye makeup, strip lashes, and any synthetic lashes or a brush with anyone else.

Lash Mites From Lash Goggles

It is possible to get lash mites from lash goggles or similar products if they have been shared with a person who has mites.

You also should not use lash goggles if you have lash mites, and should thoroughly wash the product before using it again once the mites are gone.

Cleaning Your Eyelash Extensions To Avoid Lash Mites

It’s crucial to clean your eyelashes and eyelash line between extensions in order to avoid lash mites.

If you don’t the sebum will build up and attract the mites.

Use tea-tree oil to thoroughly clean your lash line and lashes to prevent excess oils from building up.

Summary

Lash mites are tiny parasites that live at the base of your eyelashes.

Don’t worry, they’re not harmful to your eyes or lashes unless there is an excessive amount.

However, if you don’t clean your lashes and lash extensions every day, you might end up with an infestation.

It’s important to maintain good hygiene to prevent lash mites from building up.

Remember, lash extensions do not cause lash mites, but poor hygiene does. If you notice symptoms such as dry and itching eyes, redness around the eyes, blurry vision, or rough patches of skin near your eyes, you might have a lash mite infestation.

Don’t worry, you can get rid of them by washing your eyelash extensions every day, using tea tree oil or anti-parasitic medications, and removing your extensions if the infestation is severe.

So, be sure to follow a cleaning routine and wash your eyelashes and eyelash line every day to prevent lash mites from becoming a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Eyelash Mites?

The cause of lash mites is poor hygiene. You can also get lash mites by sharing cosmetic products like mascara with others who may have lash mites.

Sharing make up with others can cause lash mite infestations quickly.

As such, wash lashes daily, and regularly clean lash extensions.

How Do You Tell If You Have Lash Mites?

You might notice symptoms such as dry and itching eyes, redness in the eye area, blurry vision, and rough patches of skin around the eyes.

Some people will also notice a white buildup around the lash base and their lashes sticking together in bad infections of demodex mites.

Are Eyelash Mites Harmful?

No, eyelash mites are not usually dangerous. They occur naturally in healthy numbers on our bodies and have helpful functions.

However, when there are too many, they can cause unpleasant side effects like those mentioned in above. Your vision can also be impacted until you get the infestation under control.

How Do I Know If I Have Lash Mites?

Symptoms of a lash mite infestation include lashes sticking together from a white buildup around the lash base, dry and itching eyes, redness in the area around the eyes, and both blurry vision and rough patches of skin near the eyes.

How Do You Get Rid Of Eyelash Mites Naturally?

Use tea tree oil to clean your natural lash and lash extensions if you have an eyelash mite infestation.

You can also dilute the oil to clean your lashes and lash line once a week if you don’t have an infestation, as this will help keep your skin clear and free of oils.

Prevention is better than cure, so make sure to wash your face twice a week and don’t share cosmetic products like mascara!

How Many Lash Mites Do We Have?

Humans have two species of eyelash mites (Demodex folliculorum and Demoxes brevis) that occur on our skin naturally.

Teenagers have more than older adults due to more sebum production.

However, by the time we are around 80, we are estimated to have between 1,000 and 2,000 lash mites on us, which is completely normal!

Where Do Lash Mites Come From?

The cause of demodex mites is poor hygiene.

You can also get lash mites by sharing cosmetic products like mascara with others who may have lash mites.

This is why you should always wash your face twice a day, and prevent skin from getting too oily.

Do Eyelash Mites Go Away?

Most of the time, people don’t realize they have lash mites.

Lash mites don’t tend to cause problems unless there’s an infestation, so you won’t need to follow any treatment unless you have symptoms and a diagnosis.

Eyelash mites are some of the world’s best natural cleaners of oils and dead skin cells, so it’s normal to have a small number of the parasites.

They don’t technically ever go away, regardless of how much you clean your own lashes regularly. However, as long as they don’t cause a problem to your eyes, then they are completely safe.

However, it’s important to prevent the risk of an infestation.

The best way to do this is to wash your eyes every night to keep your lashes clean.

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References:

Eyelash Mites: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. (2022, November 8). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eyelash-mites

Eyelash mites are normal part of body’s microbiome. (n.d.). Eyelash Mites Are Normal Part of Body’s Microbiome | UCLA Health. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/eyelash-mites-are-normal-part-of-bodys-microbiome

Eyelash Mites: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments. (n.d.). Eyelash Mites: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments. https://www.healthline.com/health/eyelash-mites

Eyelash Mites – Causes, Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment. (2021, September 4). Vision Center. https://www.visioncenter.org/conditions/eyelash-mites/