Can You Use Lash Serum With Extensions?

Eyelash extensions are synthetic eyelashes that are designed to make your eyes look bigger and lashes look longer without the need for makeup or false lashes.

However, another reason why people will opt for eyelash extensions is so that they can give their natural lashes a break from makeup.

Not only this, but for many people, wearing lash extensions gives their natural eyelashes a chance to grow and lengthen.

As a result of this, people often wonder whether they can apply lash growth serum while wearing eyelash extensions to encourage the growth of their real lashes.

Luckily for you, you’ll be happy to know that you can safely use lash growth serum with eyelash extensions. However, there is a specific way to apply this serum to prevent affecting the extension adhesive.

Here is everything you need to know about using eyelash serum with eyelash extensions!

 

Using Lash Growth Serum With Eyelash Extensions

 

For those who have eyelash extensions in order to encourage their natural lashes to grow, you can still use lash growth serum while wearing extensions.

In fact, people of all ages are encouraged to use serums and oils such as coconut oil to encourage our lashes to grow or get stronger.

This is especially true for elderly folk, those who take medications with hair thinning side effects, and those who struggle with trichotillomania.

In these cases, people are mostly encouraged to use natural oils such as coconut oil and olive oil to strengthen and condition their lashes. A result of the strengthening is that lashes are in a better position to grow longer.

However, if you have eyelash extensions, you are told to avoid such oils at all costs. The adhesive used to apply the extensions to your natural lashes cannot come into contact with any type of oils, as it can encourage the adhesive to break down.

This is why people are told to use coconut oil to remove eyelash extensions at home.

So, if you can’t use oils to promote lash growth, then you’ll need to turn to lash growth serum.

Eyelash serums are made of peptide-infused formulas to improve and strengthen the natural hair follicles, which in turn encourages the hair to grow stronger and thicker.

This is achieved by extending the lash growth cycle (known as the telogen phase), subsequently encouraging growth of the hair follicle.

 

Benefits To Using Lash Serum With Eyelash Extensions

 

There are several benefits to using lash serum with eyelash extensions.

Firstly, the serum works to encourage your natural lashes to look long and healthy without the help of the extensions, which is ideal for those only wearing extensions to allow time for their lashes to grow.

Secondly, lash serum doesn’t break down the lash extensions glue, meaning it is completely safe to apply to your lashes. This is a much better option for the longevity of your extensions than using oils such as coconut oil.

Thirdly, lash serum also works to improve the longevity of the lash extensions by strengthening your natural lashes. As the extensions are applied to individual lashes, the serum works to strengthen these lashes to prevent them from falling out.

So, the serum works to extend the longevity of the extensions and keep you from having to get them filled in!

 

Top Tips On Applying Lash Serum With Extensions

 

While it is safe to use lash serum with extensions, there are certain rules to abide by to ensure that you maintain the quality of your extensions.

After all, you don’t want the serum to dramatically shorten the longevity of the extensions, considering how much money you spent on the treatment.

Here are our tips on how to apply lash serum with eyelash extensions.

 

Don’t Apply Lash Serum Straight After The Extensions Appointment

 

If you’ve just had your lash extensions appointment and you’re ready to kickstart the growth of your natural lashes, hold your horses.

You should refrain from applying the lash serum straight after your appointment at the salon, because the adhesive needs time to cure.

Lash extensions are applied with a cyanoacrylate-based adhesive, which requires a cure time of around 4 hours after application. During this time, your lashes cannot come into contact with moisture of any kind, including makeup and serums.

The lash technician will express the importance of this cure time at the end of your appointment. However, considering 4 hours is a relatively short time to wait for the adhesive to cure, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

 

Avoid Lash Serums With Oils

 

As mentioned before, lash extensions cannot come into contact with oils of any kind, as this encourages the breakdown of the adhesive glue.

Unless you want the extensions to fall out of your lashes, you need to buy a lash serum that doesn’t contain any oils.

We will look into how to choose the right lash serum later in this guide, but the key is to read the ingredients list to avoid oil-based serums.

 

Don’t Apply With A Mascara Wand

While you might think that the best way to apply lash serum is with a clean mascara wand, you might want to think again.

Lash serums come in two forms – either with a mascara applicator or an eyeliner-type applicator.

The eyeliner-style applicator is the best option for those with lash extensions, because it allows you to focus purely on the lash line rather than the false extensions.

To apply the serum, simply run the applicator along the lash line to soak into the hair follicles. It doesn’t need to be applied all over the lashes, as it only works to encourage growth from the follicles themselves.

If you’re using a serum that doesn’t contain oils, applying it directly onto your lashes and extensions won’t impact the adhesive.

Instead, the notion of applying the serum with a mascara wand will encourage the extensions to clump together, which can be a nightmare to remove!

 

Choose A Lash Serum Filled With Vitamins

 

The key to a good lash serum is to find a product that is filled with vitamins. Without such vitamins, the serum doesn’t actually work to do anything other than provide a little bit of moisture to your lash line.

Some of the most beneficial vitamins in a lash serum include vitamin A (which prevents hair loss), vitamin C (which produces a protein found in lashes to support growth), and vitamin D (which stimulates the growth of hair follicles).

Ultimately, the most important vitamin to look for in a lash serum is vitamin B, or Biotin. Biotin works to stimulate new cell growth, which is ideal for regrowing fallen lashes.

Not only is biotin great for helping lashes regrow, but it also helps to support the growth of hair, nails, and healthy skin.

 

Commit To A Routine

 

Our bodies rely on routine to get the results we need. Just like how we need to work out regularly to lose weight, you need to commit to a routine with your lash serum to encourage your lashes to grow.

The best way to apply lash serum is either in the morning or evening after washing your face, depending on what your day looks like.

If you apply makeup to your eyes, you need to make sure that you wait for the serum to dry before applying eye makeup. Otherwise, you risk removing the serum with eyeshadow and eyeliner.

 

Don’t Use Too Much Serum

 

Resist the temptation to apply too much lash growth serum to your lash line. While you might assume that the more product you apply, the faster your lashes will grow, this is in fact a redundant thought process.

In fact, applying too much serum can break down the adhesive of the lash extension glue in the same way that oil does.

Even if the serum does not contain oils, applying too much can be heavy on the adhesive glue and lashes, which can cause the fake lashes to fall out faster.

So, for the sake of your lash extensions (and to prevent wasting product), stick to the recommended amount of lash serum a day. One dip into the product should provide enough serum to cover your lash line.

 

How To Apply Lash Serum With Eyelash Extensions

 

Applying lash serum to your lashes is a really easy task, but it’s slightly more complex if you have eyelash extensions. Here is our guide on how to apply lash serum with eyelash extensions!

 

Step One: Choose The Right Serum

 

Before anything else, you need to make sure that you have bought the right serum for your lashes and extensions. The key is to look for serums that don’t contain any oils, and are filled with vitamins that are essential for lash growth.

Also, stick to serums that have an eyeliner-style applicator.

There are even some products out there that are tailored towards those with lash extensions, which means that the serums are designed to not interrupt the extensions themselves.

 

Step Two: Do A Patch Test

 

The last thing you want is to apply a lash serum so dangerously close to your eyes, only to realize that you are allergic to an ingredient in the product.

If you have particularly sensitive skin, it’s imperative that you do a patch test on your neck or forearm to ensure that you won’t have any negative reactions.

 

Step 3: Wash Your Face

Whether or not you’ve worn makeup today, you need to make sure that your entire face is clean from makeup residue, oils, and dirt.

This is because you don’t want the serum to trap any dirt or dust in your lash follicles, as this can promote healthy growth.

 

Step 4: Apply The Lash Serum

 

Now’s the time to apply the serum! To do this, take the applicator and swipe the serum across your lash line as you would with a normal liquid eyeliner. You should cover the entirety of the lash line, from the inner corner to the outer corner.

However, try to avoid getting the serum into your real and fake lash hairs, as this can be tricky to remove when it hardens.

 

Step 5: Allow The Serum To Dry

 

You will now need to wait a few minutes for the lash serum to dry before putting makeup on your eyes or going to sleep. You will know when the serum has dried, because the wet feeling will have disappeared.

 

Best Time To Apply Lash Growth Serum

 

Lash growth serum provides the best results when you stick to a routine. Not only does this mean you need to apply the serum daily, but you also need to pick the best time to apply it every day.

It all comes down to personal preference, but arguably the best time to apply lash growth serum is in the morning after you have washed your face.

The reason for this is that your eyes are less sensitive in the morning than they are at night, which is why some prefer to not apply lash serum in the evenings.

The key is to make sure you apply it after washing your face and eyes, to ensure you don’t get any particles in your eyes. However, you must make sure to wash your lashes with water gently, otherwise you risk pulling out your natural and fake lashes.

Of course, you can still apply lash growth serum at the end of the day and after your evening face wash. The only issue is that some people apply the serum directly before going into bed, not allowing enough time for the serum to dry.

To prevent irritation, allow the serum to dry for a few minutes before your head hits the pillow. Even then, the lash serum might rub off in the night as your face hits the pillow, so make sure to allow enough time for the serum to cure!

 

Apply Lash Serum In-Between Extensions

 

It is typically recommended that you allow your natural lashes to rest between getting another set of lash extensions to promote healthy growth.

Lash extensions aren’t dangerous to the lashes, but they require healthy and strong natural lashes to get the best results.

So, during the two-month period of having no extensions, continue to use the lash growth serum!

Not only will this strengthen your hair follicles in preparation for the new extensions, but it will also encourage your lashes to grow naturally, allowing you the option of getting shorter extensions next time.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! You can absolutely use lash growth serum with eyelash extensions, as long as the serum does not contain oils that will break down the adhesive.