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Post by Lash Out! Administrator on Jun 10, 2009 5:36:40 GMT -5
I've recently helped another lash stylist by doing her clients lashes while she has been away on her honeymoon. Out of 4 clients that had come to see me - 2 had Blepharitis! Out of the 2 clients, I had to remove the entire set and get her to see and eye specialist for treatment. There are many Lash stylist's out there that do not know what it is or how to recognise it. I hope the the following is helpful to you all, as it is a VERY SERIOUS issue effecting our industry.
Ok, so what is it? Well it is basically an infected eyelash follicle that has become blocked. The sebum (oil), dead skin cells and bacteria on the eyelid block up the natural lash follicle. Over time the mouth of the follicle (at skin level) becomes inflamed and red. The natural lashes become thinner and sparse causing big gaps between the natural lashes.
What does it look like? The easiest way to recognise Blepharitis is that the the eyelash follicles become itchy (between the extensions/natural lashes). Also there are tiny small white flakes between the lashes that look a bit like dandruff. Pull the eyelid and stretch the skin out to the side (like your drawing eyeliner on it) and have a good look at the follicles. The skin around the lashes will look raised, bumpy and white.
What is the difference between Bleph and an Allergy? Allergies present themself within 48 hours after the application of eyelash extensions. The client will either be allergic to the Acrylic or the Formaldehyde that ALL eyelash extension glues contain. Bleph can be an existing condition or a new one, that gets worse with eyelash extensions - especially if the personal hygiene is not maintained.
How do I prevent it? MANY clients go out and get a full set of lashes and pay a lot of money for them. They figure "If I don't touch them, wet them, or wash them, they will last longer"....Wrong!!!...Its quite the opposite. Your clients should be washing their eyes with a soapy based cleanser at least 2-3 times a week. Baby Shampoo (no more tears) is a cheap alternative or else you could suggest my favorite - Neutrogena Fresh Foaming cleanser. I tell ALL my clients to wash their eyes in the shower with their fingertips to prevent getting Blepharitis at least TWICE a week. Its primarily a HYGIENE requirement, not just a way to remove makeup.
Do eyelash extensions cause Bleph? Only if they don't wash their eyes or the condition was pre existing Before they had their first full-set. Many people have Bleph for years and don't even know they have it. Putting Eyelash extensions on a client with an existing Blepharitis infection, will only enhance the condition and make it worse.
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toula
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by toula on Jun 15, 2009 23:45:09 GMT -5
This information came in very handy....thank you After all these years of doing eyelash extensions i was never informed that you clients should be advised to wash/clean their eyes with the baby shampoo or neutrogena... Thanks again for the info!!!
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Post by Linda on Jun 17, 2009 3:01:12 GMT -5
Thank you Tami, This is so helpful. As when I did my training, I was never told about this and have had 1 client with this problem and even her doctor did not know what the problem was.
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Post by Lash Out! Administrator on Jun 17, 2009 4:30:05 GMT -5
you guys are welcome! I had to post this, because the standard of the industry is going down hill regardless where you do your training. Many trainers are not aware of Blepharitis and how or why it is related to eyelash extensions. I just hope that my experience is shared and used to your advantage.
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Post by carole lacroix on Oct 24, 2009 9:58:08 GMT -5
Well after reading this I think I may have bleph... I have the little white bumps along my eyelid on the top inside only and lost quite a few lashes and now have bald spots ....When I took this extension training, I also took permanent make-up training which turned out to be a real joke, but my trainer did my permanent eyeliner. I had short , light colored lashes, thus the reason for getting into the business thinking there are other women out there that have the same problem and would benefit having the lashes they always wished they had.... But now I find myself with having even less lashes and possibly this condition... I have a question... a few actually,
1. I've been looking up how to treat this condition and they have one product in particular, Phlereton, that is supposed to get rid of Bleph all together, my question is this, Is there anything that is topical out there that I don't need to ingest?
2. Can I keep the extensions on while treating this problem?
3. Would the Lash Alive work at growing me some new lashes as well as treat this condition?
4. Could my permanent eyeliner have caused Bleph? You go through the period of scabbing and I did lose alot of lashes I believe at this time, everything happened at the same time. I do not have the dry scaling anymore, that went away quite quickly after the procedure, I just have the white bumps.... I did not have this condition before I started this business.
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Post by Lash Out! Administrator on Oct 26, 2009 5:11:37 GMT -5
Hi Carole, you have many questions, so I'll try to go through each one: 1. I've been looking up how to treat this condition and they have one product in particular, Phlereton, that is supposed to get rid of Bleph all together, my question is this, Is there anything that is topical out there that I don't need to ingest?I've never heard of such a thing. Blepharitis, is an infection/inflammation of the eyelash follicles and needs to be treated TOPICALLY only. No ingestable medication is going to get rid of it The treatment usually takes 2 WEEKS and involves:-Remove lash extensions -Wash/scrub the lash line morning and night with HOT water and baby shampoo (breaks down the blockage plug and removes oil) -Apply ointment cream to the lash line morning and night after cleaning the eyes. -Do not wear make up for 2 week -Replace all make up (like conjunctavitis) 2. Can I keep the extensions on while treating this problem?NO - you cant scrub and clean the lash line without pulling out your own eyelashes 3 . Would the Lash Alive work at growing me some new lashes as well as treat this condition?You can try anything to help your lashes get stronger AFTER it has been treated 4 . Could my permanent eyeliner have caused Bleph? You go through the period of scabbing and I did lose alot of lashes I believe at this time, everything happened at the same time. I do not have the dry scaling anymore, that went away quite quickly after the procedure, I just have the white bumps.... I did not have this condition before I started this business. Could you have had Bleph BEFORE you tattoo? Many people go through life without even knowing they have it. Its only until they get extensions, that the lack of movement and hygiene brings it out.
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Post by carole on Oct 26, 2009 18:27:50 GMT -5
Oh my !! Two weeks !! I guess I'll have to rely on my inner beauty for that amount of time....LOL (We should always be working on our INNER beauty.... is my moto) Can I reapply my extensions after two weeks? I will apply the Lash Alive after washing with baby shampoo.... that should build them up quite quickly don't you think? As for having the Bleph before the tatooing and extensions.... definetely not.... I'm not even sure I have it, the flakes i had could have been from the scabbing period right after the procedure. I haven't had it since. It seems to have gone down since I stopped using Revitalash (another eyelash growing agent).
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Post by Lash Out! Administrator on Oct 27, 2009 2:56:52 GMT -5
Whatever you do Carole, just make sure its properly healed before you apply anything to your lashes
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Post by jinxy501 on Apr 13, 2010 11:28:32 GMT -5
Can bleph be passed on to clients if tools are not sanitised properly?
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Post by Lash Out! Administrator on Apr 14, 2010 0:03:05 GMT -5
Bleph is a bacterial infection, so it CAN be passesd on if your tools are not sanitised.
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Post by Lash Out! Administrator on Apr 2, 2011 17:44:50 GMT -5
bump
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Post by lashful on Jun 4, 2011 18:14:09 GMT -5
If any of your clients look like they are developing Blepharitis, I highly reccommend "Thera Tears SteriLid Eyelid Cleanser Foam". It cleared up one of my clients Bleph in less that a week, while she had the extensions still on!! This lash addict wouldn't let me remove her remaining extensions. lol
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Post by lexy on Aug 16, 2011 15:29:28 GMT -5
hi i normally get eyelash extensions done. but i think i developed a lil case of blepharitis on only my right eyelid. my eyelid got swollen, discretion was puss was noticeable. i'm now taking a break and my eyelid is better. i want to start doing extensions again but i'm afraid it will get infected again
has any one experience this ? when should i start doing extensions again ?
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Post by Lash Out! Administrator on Aug 17, 2011 17:43:58 GMT -5
Hi Lexy, Blepharitis does not cause PUSS. I would have a doctor check your lash follicles before you consider having lashes put on again.
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Post by Lexy on Aug 17, 2011 19:46:24 GMT -5
thanks for responding!
i guess the word puss sounded very bad. but i meant whenver i wake up i'll get crusties that have devloped on to my lash line. i know it sounds gross. =( i'll put a warm compress on it to break it down and gently clean it with a eyelid scrub cleanser. then i'll add some polysporin ointment that is meant for external infections such as styes.
it got better in a week. and i went to my friend who is an eyelash tech and asked her to glue on one eyelash to see if i'd get a reaction. and within that day my eyelid swellled up. but i'm NOT waking up to any crusties along the lashline. so i'm guessing that a good sign.
i'm guessing the oil glands in my lashline are still clogged. will the cleanser unclog the glands or do i ahve to go to the doctor to get some anti biotics ?
i'm reading that blepharitis is a chronic infection. i'm really sad about this. do you think this will heal ? if i'm patient enough ?
has any eyelash exntesion wearer ever contracted someothing similiar to belpharitis and got better, healed and continue on wearing eyelash extensions ?
sigh i really wanna wear extensions on my asia trip. =(
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