Beware the Tools that Curl!

By Reisa Mehlman on January 17, 2012 7:41 PM

Yes, that innocuous and popular crimping tool, the eyelash curler, can be dangerous to your lashes.

As a New York State Licensed Aesthetician, I have been applying lash extensions for women in Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa and the surrounding towns for about five years.  In this time, I have seen many sets of eyelashes.  One thing has become quite apparent – many women who have used traditional eyelash curlers are unknowingly harming their own, natural lashes.

What I see are lashes that have been broken and no longer have their tips.  The natural shape of an eyelash tapers to a point, whereas these lashes are blunt.  I liken it to folding paper over and over again, which results in a weakened fold in the paper where it will eventually tear.  I believe this is the same with lash curlers and eyelashes, where the user inadvertently folds the natural lash in approximately the same place over and over again on a daily basis.

Fortunately, there are other options.  There is a new type of eyelash curler on the market; one that has coils, which are gently heated by a battery.  You press the curler against the lashes, lifting and warming them upwards.  It may not be as dramatic a curl as that which is produced by the traditional eyelash curler, but it is much gentler and does not promote lash breakage.

Eyelash extensions are another way to enhance your own lashes with curl, thickness and length and can be applied in a way that is natural or dramatic, depending upon your personal likes.  With extensions, you do not need to wear mascara at all.

I ask clients to be gentle when removing eye liner, shadow and mascara as rough handling of our lashes can cause breakage too.  It is also important to remove eye makeup thoroughly as bacteria can proliferate and cause infections between lashes where makeup is lodged.

Lashes frame the eyes and make a tremendous difference in our appearance.  Women are consistently amazed at the effect that having thick, lovely eyelashes creates. 

Please feel free to contact me with questions about lashes, eyelash curlers or eyelash extensions!