A lash lift is a non-invasive procedure that can help give you longer, thicker lashes. But how often can you get a lash lift and are there any risks involved? We’ve done the research so you don’t have to.
You can have a lash lift every 4 weeks if needed, but a lash lift should last you 6-8 weeks. The process should be repeated at the end of each lash growth cycle which is usually 60-90 days.
You can in theory get as many lash lifts as you like as the procedure is non-invasive and considered very safe.
Read on to find out just what you need to do so that you can have lash lifts done on a regular basis.
How Does A Lash Lift Work?
A lash lift is a semi-permanent treatment designed to curl your natural lashes.
As a result of a lash lift, your lashes will look boosted, uplifted, and darker, giving them a thicker and longer appearance.
Although a lash lift is often compared to an eyelash perm, that’s actually an old procedure.
A lash lift gives you a far more natural look that nonetheless creates the illusion of longer, darker, and more voluminous lashes.
How Often Can You Do A Lash Lift?
Experts recommend that you wait at least four weeks between each lash lift appointment. This is to ensure your lashes don’t become over-processed and damaged by the treatment.
In fact, most people won’t need a lash lift any more frequently than six to eight weeks. This is because lashes have a growth cycle of around 60-90 days.
If you take good care of your lashes, you therefore only need a new lash lift at the end of each cycle.
The best way to avoid lashes falling out is to take care of them in between appointments. This will keep your natural lashes looking healthy and voluminous.
How Long Do Lash Lifts Generally Last?
A lash lift should last anywhere between six to eight weeks. However, poor aftercare could greatly reduce the longevity of your lash lift so it is important to follow the guidelines set out by your lash technician.
There are of course some circumstances that could cause the lash lift to wear off such as:
- Using oil-based products on your lashes
- Exposure to heat (sun, sunbed, sauna, etc.)
- Rubbing of the eyes due to allergies
- Not cleaning your lashes properly
- Excessive swimming in chlorinated or salt water
How long the lash lift lasts really depends on your lifestyle. If you work out a lot or live in a hot climate, then your lash lift will fade a little faster.
Read more about How To Work Out With A Lash Lift.
What Are The Risks Of Getting A Lash Lift Too Often?
When getting a lash lift, a lash technician will use a perming solution in order to ‘lift’ your lashes. Perming solutions contain chemicals such as ammonium thioglycolate that could, if exposed to it too often, cause damage to your natural lashes.
You should wait at least 4 weeks in between lash lift appointments to avoid over-processed lashes. Damaged and frizzy lashes could even fall out if you do not care for them properly.
So if your lashes have started to look less lifted, don’t be tempted to have another lash lift straight away.
What About Lash Lift Touch-Ups?
Having said that, you will need to repeat the lash lift process every 6-8 weeks to lift the new lashes that would have grown since the previous appointment if you want to maintain the look of lifted lashes.
There is no such thing as a lash lift touch-up. Each appointment will lift all of your lashes at the same time as it would not make sense to lift individual lashes.
The lash lift process should therefore simply be repeated ideally every 6-8 weeks. This will lift any newly grown lashes and rejuvenate any lashes that may have lost their curl.
What If I want Lash Lifts Regularly?
It is always best to wait at least 4 weeks between lash lift treatments, and ideally 6-8 weeks. If you’re planning on going more regularly, here are some things you can do to ensure your lashes are in optimal health and so will benefit the most from the lash lift treatment:
- Use oil-free products
- Use a lash serum
- Don’t use lash curlers or mascara
- Clean your lashes using cotton swabs
- Avoid touching your lashes frequently
How to extend the life of your lash lift
A lash lift isn’t free so you’ll want to make sure you’re doing whatever you can to make the treatment last as long as possible. Not only is this good for your wallet, but it is also good for the health of your lashes.
Here are some things you should do:
Avoid getting your lashes wet
Every lash technician will tell you not to get your lashes wet during the first 24 hours. Water can interfere with the lash solution and can weaken the lift.
Ideally, you should avoid any situation where you may get water on your face. This includes washing your hair, using steam rooms, saunas, tanning salons, pools, and even crying.
Avoid Oil-based products
Avoid all oil-based products such as makeup removers, lotions, and cleansers. Like water, the oil will interfere and break down the perming solution.
Clean your lashes
Lashes should be left alone as much as possible during the first 24 hours. However, if you see a need to clean them, use a cotton swab and only apply an oil-free cleansing solution that is suitable for lashes.
Hands off your lashes
As tempting as it may be to touch your amazing new lashes, try not to touch them.
Your hands will contain oil and dirt that could cause itchiness which will make you want to touch your lashes even more. Use a cotton swab instead.
Try a Keratin lash lift
A keratin lash lift used a keratin-based solution instead of a traditional chemical solution. This solution is gentler on your lashes and can therefore help create a more natural look.
Furthermore, keratin is a natural protein that helps to protect and strengthen your lashes.
Don’t use a lash curler
Eyelash curlers can do wonders for natural lashes but they could reverse the effect of the lash lift.
If you do not think your lashes have benefitted from the lash lift, go back to see your lash technician before breaking out the lash curler.
Benefits Of A Lash Lift
1. Saves you time
If you love nothing more than snoozing your alarm in the morning, but you still want to look put together, a lash lift may be for you.
They’re a relatively easy way to have you looking your best. You won’t need to use mascara or an eyelash curler – which can therefore also save you money on these products.
2. You can get a lash tint simultaneously
Many beauty salons will allow you to get a lash lift and a lash tint simultaneously, which allows you to both lengthen and darken your lashes in one go.
That’s a win-win for girls who love low-maintenance beauty.
3. Cheaper than eyelash extensions
Although you will end up spending on a lash lift appointment, they’re nonetheless definitely cheaper than eyelash extensions.
Plus, you know that your money is going towards a qualified technician – it’s not worth playing around with eye safety.
4. You can wear make-up
If you’re a devotee of eyelash extensions, you’ll know that it’s inadvisable to wear eye make-up like mascara when you have them.
But, if you’re looking for a more maximal look, it’s totally fine to wear eye make-up with a lash lift.
Just take care that you remove that make-up properly at the end of the night so that you prolong your lift for as long as possible!
What To Expect At A Lash Lift Appointment
The procedure is painless and should last around forty-five minutes.
If you want to add a tint to your appointment (which many women do), this may extend the time somewhat.
You won’t be able to open your eyes during the session, providing the ideal chance to relax.
Your technician will work with you to ensure that you get the curl that you’re looking for, and if you choose to tint your lashes, they can help you to feel comfortable with how dark you’re looking to go, too.
Otherwise, this is what to expect at a lash lift:
- Your lashes will be properly cleansed and dried. If you can take care to remove any contact lenses and not wear waterproof mascara for the appointment, that would make the process much easier.
- A silicone pad will be placed under your eyes, and your lashes will be brushed with a chemical solution.
- Your technician will then work to reshape and curl your lashes before applying a solution to help the curl set.
- They will then apply a conditioning treatment so as to soften and strengthen the lashes.
Does A Lash Lift Damage Your Eyelashes?
Provided that you go to a qualified technician, a lash lift should not damage your eyelashes.
This is why it’s important to do your research before hitting up an appointment. Check out the reviews of the studio and any certifications.
Remember that the procedure does use chemicals, so you really do need your beautician to be certified.
It’s also for this reason that you need to wait a minimum of a month in between lash lift appointments so that you don’t risk any damage.
Please don’t try any at-home lash lifts.
The solution you use for the curling process is a strong chemical, and it’s not worth putting this near your eyes unless you know exactly what you’re doing.
How To Fix A Bad Lash Lift
If you think you’ve had a bad lash lift or the lash lift didn’t work, it would be best to return to a salon for them to fix it.
If you were unhappy with the initial appointment, it’s best to call the studio and let them know. They will be able to offer advice and may suggest a refund.
Alternatively, you can consider researching other places to go, as they may be able to fix the lash lift in a more satisfactory way.
You’ll know that you had a bad lash lift if you have any of the following:
- Uneven lashes that look scraggly, or are clumped together
- Frizzy, crimped eyelashes. At the worst, they may even be singed or burned.
- Overly-curled eyelash that uplift to your brow arch or back onto the eyelid.
If the solution has been unevenly distributed or left on for too long, this will result in a bad lash lift. Your lashes may be over-processed as a result, and can over-curl.
This might make your eyes look smaller and closed-in, which is not the look that you’re going for.
There are two things that you can do if you’ve had a bad lash lift:
You can either wait for your natural lashes to grow out, replacing the damaged or burned ones. But this can take a few months.
Alternatively, you can book a keratin lash lift. This uses cysteine instead of thioglycolic acid and works to gently open up your hair.
The keratin will re-strengthen your lashes and help to restore them back to health.
How Much Does A Lash Lift Cost?
A lash lift can cost anywhere from $50 – $150, depending on where you go and where you’re located.
Remember that in order to keep the look going, you’ll need to schedule regular appointments, so it’s good to factor the cost into your decision as to whether you want to get a lash lift.