It is usually not a good idea to wear mascara whilst doing a sweaty workout but can you exercise with eyelash extensions?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to work out whilst wearing eyelash extensions. However, you will need to wait 24 hours after your appointment and follow a few maintenance rules.
Risks Of Working Out With Eyelash Extensions
Eyelash extensions are an investment, so naturally, you want them to last as long as possible between fills.
Working out presents a few risks to the longevity of your eyelash extensions.
These risks can be broken down as follows:
1. Sweat
Sweat can cause eyelash extensions to fall out prematurely. Your sweat is a mixture of salt, water, and oil, and when it gets into your lashes it can weaken the adhesive bonds.
This can lead to your lashes falling out quicker than you’d like.
2. Rubbing With A Towel
When doing a sweaty workout, naturally some sweat will drip into your eyes and you’ll want to towel dry your face
However, doing so can cause your lash extensions to snag and fall out.
3. Hot, Steamy Environments
You probably like to follow your workout with a hot shower, or maybe you like to go into a sauna.
Hot, steamy environments can soften the bonds of the lash glue, causing your lash extensions to fall out faster.
Best Ways To Exercise With Eyelash Extensions
It is possible to maintain an active lifestyle with eyelash extensions.
It is however important to make a few adjustments to how you do things if you want your extensions to last for as long as possible.
You will need to keep your eyelashes free from sweat as much as possible while working out and avoid hot, humid environments as much as possible. This includes post-exercise sessions such as steamy showers and saunas.
One of the best ways of working out with eyelash extensions is to prioritize low-impact exercises in your workout regime.
Low-impact exercises mean that caring for your lash extensions becomes much easier.
Best Low Impact Exercises for Lash Extensions
These low impact exercises will minimize the amount of sweat you get into your lash extensions, thus ensuring their longevity:
- Walking
- Dancing
- Ballet
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Water aerobics
- Gentle cycling
Exercises Not Recommended With Lash Extensions
Eyelash extensions can cost a lot of money so you want them to last for the longest time possible.
It is absolutely possible to maintain an active lifestyle, provided you care for your lash extensions in the right way.
Unfortunately, high-intensity exercise and swimming in saltwater and chlorinated pools provide a bigger threat to the health of your lashes.
Here’s a list of exercises you may want to avoid if you want to get the longest wear out of your eyelash extensions:
- Kickboxing
- Swimming
- HIIT workouts
- Hot yoga
- Vinyasa yoga
- Tabata
- Spin class
- Running
- Boot Camp
How To Maintain Lash Extensions with An Active Lifestyle
It is absolutely possible to maintain an active lifestyle while you have lash extensions.
If you’re worried about missing out on your high-intensity workouts, you can still do these but you’ll have to make a few changes to your routine.
Below are some top tips for lash extension maintenance while continuing with an active lifestyle:
1. The 24-hour Rule
Your lash artist will tell you to avoid getting the lashes wet in the first 24 hours. The same rule also applies to moisture and sweating.
Lash glue needs 24 hours to set properly and needs ideal conditions.
When exposed to too much moisture, the glue will dry too quickly, which weakens the adhesive bonding.
This leads to the lashes falling out prematurely.
Sweat can also be a culprit as it is a mixture of water, salts, and oil.
So if you do a sweaty workout and the sweat comes into contact with your lashes, it will result in the lash extensions falling out prematurely.
Low impact exercise such as yoga or walking will not cause you to sweat significantly. So it is best to stick to these in the first 24 hours.
2. Keep Sweat Off Your Lashes
Sweat can make your lash extensions become clumped and crusty, and can break down the adhesive bonds.
If you’re doing a sweaty workout, a good way to tackle this issue is using a lash sealant.
Apply about 30 minutes before working out to give the sealant time to set. The sealant will act as a barrier between sweat and the lash adhesive.
You can also keep a lash-safe towel with you during workouts to gently wipe away sweat.
Lash-safe simply means there are no fibers that could snag the extensions while wiping the eyes.
3. Use Special Adhesive
Some salons offer a special high-strength adhesive that can grip your lashes more tightly.
This is perfect for those with an active lifestyle, as the adhesive is virtually sweat-proof and water-resistant. Ask your lash salon to see if they provide this service.
4. Don’t Put Sunblock On Before A Workout
Before working out, avoid putting on creams and sunblocks that contain oil.
Sweating may cause these products to seep into your lashes, causing them to clump together and lead to poor retention.
Instead, use a natural SPF mineral powder to protect your skin from the sun.
5. Avoid Steam
Hot and steamy environments can soften and break down lash glue, causing thermal decomposition which will trigger your lash extensions to fall out faster.
For this reason, you should avoid hot showers, steam facials, saunas, and hot yoga.
At the very least use a lash sealant and work out near an AC unit during hot yoga.
Turn down the temperature on your showers. Alternatively, you can wash your face at the sink with cool water to prevent faster lash loss.
6. Cleanse Your Lashes After Working Out
No matter what kind of workout you choose, it’s important to cleanse your lashes afterward.
Salt and residue from sweat will break down the adhesive bonds if left on the lashes.
It is therefore important to cleanse your lashes with a lash-safe cleanser as soon as possible after a workout.
During cleansing, use a mascara wand to gently detangle your lashes, as clumping will also affect lash retention.
7. Avoid Oil-based Products
Avoid using oil-based products on the face or around the eyes when you have eyelash extensions.
If the oils get into your lashes, they will weaken and soften the adhesive bonds of the extensions.
This is good general advice if you have eyelash extensions, but especially so if you have an active lifestyle as your extensions may already be weaker due to sweat.
8. Wear Goggles When Swimming
Chlorine and saltwater can wreak havoc on your extensions as they can degrade the bonds of the eyelash glue.
Always wear goggles when swimming in saltwater or in a chlorinated pool.
It is also important to cleanse your lashes right after swimming to remove any traces of chlorine or salt that may have gotten in them.