You spent a couple of hours in the chair and walked out with lashes that make mascara feel like a thing of the past. Now comes the part that matters just as much as the application: aftercare. What you do in the first 48 hours, and every day after, decides whether your set stays full until your next refill or starts looking thin within a week.
At Prodigo Day Spa & Salon, every lash set is designed around your eye shape, your lifestyle and the result you want. Whether you just booked lash extensions in Harleysville, PA or you are a longtime client looking for better retention, these are the lash extension aftercare rules that keep your lashes looking fresh.
The First 24 to 48 Hours: Let the Adhesive Set
Lash adhesive keeps curing after you leave the spa. Water, steam and heat during that window can weaken the bond before it has a chance to fully set, and that is one of the most common reasons lashes shed early. For the first couple of days:
• Keep your lashes dry for 24 hours. Wash your face carefully around the eyes and keep your face out of the shower stream.
• Skip steam and heat for 48 hours. That means saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, hot yoga and leaning over a pot of boiling pasta.
• Take it easy on sweaty workouts for the first day or two.
• Sleep on your back the first night if you can, so your pillow is not pushing your new lashes sideways.
Your lash artist knows exactly which adhesive was used on your set. If they give you different timing, follow their lead.
7 Everyday Rules for Lash Extensions That Last
1. Wash your lashes. Yes, really!
This is the rule people skip the most, and it makes the biggest difference. Cleaning your extensions is super important to keep them free of makeup, salt and dust. When oil and buildup collect at the base of your lashes, the bond weakens and your lash line gets messy.
Use a lash-safe, oil-free cleanser and a soft brush. Gently cleanse along the lash line, rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry with a clean towel and brush through. Aim for once a day, and never skip it on days you wear eye makeup. Ask your artist about our Lash Bath product to cleanse at home.
2. Keep oil away from your eyes
Oil breaks down lash adhesive. Read labels on anything you use near your eyes, including cleansing balms, oil-based makeup removers, face oils and rich eye creams. If it is oily, keep it away from the lash line.
3. Skip the mascara and the lash curler
The whole point of extensions is length and fullness without messy, drying mascara. If you still want a little extra, apply a small amount to the tips only and never use waterproof mascara, since removing it usually takes an oil-based remover. Leave the lash curler in the drawer too. Clamping down on extensions can bend them and put stress on your natural lashes.
4. Hands off!
No picking, pulling or rubbing. Every extension is attached to one of your natural lashes, so pulling an extension off can pull your natural lash out with it.
5. Brush them every morning
A clean spoolie is your best friend. A few gentle strokes from the middle of your lashes out to the tips keeps them fluffy, separated and pointed in the right direction. Brush after cleansing too, once your lashes are dry.
6. Be mindful with sleep, swimming and heat
If you are a face-down sleeper, try to shift onto your back or side with less pressure on your eyes. After a day at the pool or the shore, rinse your lashes with clean water and cleanse them that evening so chlorine and salt do not sit on the bond. And watch out for blasts of heat to the face, like opening a hot oven or aiming a hair dryer at your eyes.
7. Book your refills on time
Even with perfect aftercare, you will lose some extensions between visits. Your natural lashes shed a few at a time as part of their normal growth cycle, and each extension leaves with the lash it was attached to. For hybrid and volume sets, we recommend refills every 2 to 3 weeks to keep your lash line full.
Our Lashes / Brows menu includes Basic and Extended Refills for classic, hybrid and volume sets, plus a Half Refill for classic lashes. Waiting too long usually means more work at your appointment to get your set back to full.
Before Your Appointment: Set Your Lashes Up for Success
Good aftercare starts before you ever sit down in the chair.
• Arrive with clean lashes and remove your contacts. Makeup and oil on your natural lashes get in the way of a strong bond.
• Tell your artist about any sensitivities. Our adhesive is formaldehyde free and our lashes are cruelty-free. If you have a history of eye issues like blepharitis or corneal problems, check in with your eye doctor before booking.
• Plan around our deposit policy. Lash extension sets require a $100 non-refundable deposit that is applied to your service total, and we need 48 hours notice to reschedule.
Why Are My Lash Extensions Falling Out?
A few lashes on your pillow is normal. If your set is thinning out faster than it should, the cause is usually one of these:
- Getting them wet or steamy before the adhesive fully set
- Oil-based skincare or makeup remover near the lash line
- Skipping cleansing, which lets buildup weaken the bond
- Rubbing your eyes or sleeping face-down in your pillow
- Stretching too long between refills
- natural , intermitten shedding, happens in the Fall and the Spring when the weather and humidity changes. It is a natural recurrence that happens to all mammals.
Not Ready for Extensions? Try a Lash Lift
If daily aftercare is not your thing, a lash lift and tint might be a better fit. A lash lift sets your natural lashes in an upward curl that lasts 8 weeks, and they are tinted super dark at the same time. The tint lasts up to 3 weeks. Pair it with brow lamination, which tames unruly brows and lasts up to 2 months, for a polished look with almost zero upkeep.
Lash Extension Aftercare FAQs
How long do I need to keep lash extensions dry?
Keep them completely dry for the first 24 hours so the adhesive can set. Skip steam and high heat, like saunas, hot tubs and hot yoga, for the first 48 hours. If your artist gives you different timing for the adhesive used on your set, go with theirs.
Can I shower with lash extensions?
Yes, after the first 24 hours. Keep the water lukewarm and try not to let a hot, heavy stream hit your eyes directly. Getting them wet with clean water is fine, and washing them is actually part of good aftercare.
How do I wash my lash extensions?
Use a lash-safe, oil-free cleanser and a soft brush. Gently cleanse along the lash line, rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, then brush them into place with a clean spoolie. Do it daily, especially if you wear eye makeup. Ask your artist about our Lash Bath product for at-home cleansing.
Can I wear mascara with lash extensions?
Most clients find they do not need it. If you do wear it, keep it to the tips and never use waterproof mascara. Waterproof formulas usually need an oil-based remover, and oil breaks down lash adhesive. We sell a fabulous mascara from Grande Lash that is compatible with lash extensions when you need a little more “oomph!” or are stretching out your refill appts. To fill in.
How often should I get a lash refill?
For hybrid and volume sets, we recommend refills every 2 to 3 weeks to keep your lash line full. Your natural lashes shed, and each extension leaves with the lash it was attached to.
What should I avoid after getting lash extensions?
Avoid water for 24 hours and steam or heat for 48 hours. After that, keep oil-based products away from your eyes, skip waterproof mascara and lash curlers, and do not pick, pull or rub your lashes.
Is it normal to lose lash extensions between appointments?
Yes. Natural lashes shed every day as part of their growth cycle, and a lost lash takes its extension with it. Losing a few here and there is normal. Clumps falling out or bare patches are not, so reach out to your artist if you see that.
I got my lash extensions somewhere else. Can Prodigo refill them?
Yes. Our Foreign Refill is designed for clients coming from another lash artist. We set aside extra time to consult, clean, remove and refill for a refreshed, full lash line.
Book Your Lashes in Harleysville, PA
Great lashes are a team effort. We handle the custom design and careful application, and you handle the aftercare at home. Explore our lash extension services, from classic to hybrid to full volume, or learn more about everything Prodigo Day Spa & Salon offers.
Book online or call us at 215-256-1191. You can find us at 439 Main Street in Harleysville, PA.
