LASH LAMINATION FAQs
Here we will try to answer your most frequently asked questions regarding lash lamination.
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As we receive more FAQ’s they will be updated so check for updates or feel free to contact Elleebana Head Office if you have a question that you need support with.
Is Lash Lamination Damaging to the Lashes?
The chemical process of breaking the disulphide bonds within the lash is damaging to the lash if not performed correctly. This means that the treatment result or condition of the client’s lashes is very much in the control of the user of the products. Over-processing the time on the lashes means the bonds are either not able to be reformed well enough or they break so far that they over-process. The inclusion of Elleeplex Re-GEN Next Gen partnered with our unique lamination formula in the lamination lotion offers moisture, nourishment, and support to the lash while the bonds are being broken to soften the hair and provide support. It is a common thing to read from other brands that there is a guaranteed no over-processing or damage that can occur to the lashes, however, altering the lashes natural pH and softening/weakening the disulphide bonds will always cause some level of damage. The coating or film forming ingredients that some other brands may use to disguise what is happening to the hair can be mistrustful or misleading.
What if the client’s lashes have not laminated enough?
Check your expiry date of product and location of where the product has been stored. You must also check your client’s ethnicity, perhaps the strength or genetic structure of their hair means they require a longer processing time. When you selected the rod size did the lashes roll further than past the halfway point? This is mandatory for a good lift.
Consistent placement of the lotion should also be taken into consideration. The coating should be a milky thick consistency that coats each and every lash evenly and up to 3/4 of the way up the lash, as patchy solution placement can result in an uneven lift.
The other eye has not lifted the same way or as much?
It is possible that some clients have a stronger follicle direction on one eye. If this is the case, you might need to notate this on the client card and compensate for this when they come in by processing the stronger eye for longer. This can be a genetic predisposition say for instance when you have a cowlick on one side of your head but not the other – the direction of your hair is harder to style on one side than it is on the other and maybe more naturally resistant to the application.
Were you specific enough about your timing? Lash Lamination results can be affected by processing one eye for longer even just by very short moments (30 seconds – 1 minute), if you applied the lotion to one eye and the processing time began, then you waited between applying to the second eye, the first eye will have a stronger lamination or perhaps even be over-processed. Be very specific about your timing.
Lash placement on the rod – if you have not symmetrically placed the lashes on the rods so that both eyes are the same and complimentary then this will be evident when the rods are removed and the lashes are dried. Taking a photo of your client’s eyes open before you begin the lamination process and refer to their iris location once the rod is on may help your lash placement.
Lash Lifting adhesive – be mindful of your usage, this product (even though it is water soluble) can create a barrier between the lash and the lamination or setting lotion. The adhesive has a setting time that allows you to roll the lashes up onto the silicone rod, however, sometimes the adhesive might set before all your lashes are up. You can use a small amount more of adhesive, but you need to be mindful of the placement of the adhesive – if you are coating the already well-placed lashes with adhesive those lashes might not laminate.
The lashes have dropped after the tint?
Using another brand of lash tint other than Elleeplex Profusion Colour System or Belmacil Lash and Brow Tints combined with that brands specific oxidant can result in a lash lamination dropping. Some brands say you must wait 1-2 weeks after the lift if you wish to tint the lashes with another brand of lash tint and you will also need to discuss your cover with your insurance company as you will not be following the manufacturers guidelines and thus meaning, you may not be covered by insurance in the event of a reaction.
What if the lashes have changed direction or dropped after 24 hours?
Your client has not followed the aftercare and has exposed their lashes to hot water, steam, shampoos, cleansers, eye creams or serums within the first 24 hours.
Your client has used face creams, oils or other serums or lotions on the lashes or near the lashes that are not approved within the first 24 – 48 hours.
Your chosen processing time might have not been long enough for this particular lash strength.
You might not have rinsed off the lotion well enough and the lashes have processed back to their original direction.
Your client might have hormonal changes that are occurring during this time or is taking a medication that effects their hair/lash condition.
Your lash lamination was not dried well enough during the appointment to show you the full extent of the result. As the lashes are wet after the treatment they will be weighed down by the weight of the water on the lashes, once they begin to dry, they may show over-processing or incorrect lash placement on the silicone rod. Be sure to dry your client’s lashes thoroughly before they leave.
After two weeks the lashes are starting to look crossed over or not laminated perfectly like they used to. What’s the deal?
If your client is starting to see a change to their lashes after the first 24 hours this is no longer the product – this is their own natural lash regrowth cycle. To determine how many of their lashes are in the resting phase or growing phase when you are performing the treatment is difficult. Some lashes are evident that they are growing but to determine exactly every lash growth stage without isolating it to review the lash, is difficult. By following the rough estimate that we lose on average 3 natural lashes per day then after 14 days (two weeks) your client will have lost 42 of their own natural lashes and new lash growth that will see lashes pointing in a crossed over direction or growing out. This might also mean that the next time they come for a lash lamination the regrowth stage might be much slower and the treatment will last them longer. The length of time that your lash lamination lasts will be determined not always by the result of the lift but also by the speed at which your lash regeneration cycle is taking place.
If a client is losing 5 lashes a day, by the end of two weeks they will have lost 70 lashes (5 lashes x 14 days) and the visual of 70 no longer laminated lashes but new straighter growth coming through would be very obvious. Equally, if a large portion of your client’s lashes were in a growth phase when you laminated them (you may have noticed some baby lashes) then these lashes will still be growing out with regrowth of un-lifted lashes at the base. This can make the base of the lash look straight and the end of the lash start to look twisted or crooked. We see some clients who particularly shed their natural lashes more during certain seasons of the year and therefore a lash lamination might only last a few weeks. This is not a result of the product nor the result of the lash lamination treatment but the result of the lash cycle. You can fix this easily by re-laminating the lashes.
What can I do if my client’s lashes are over-processed and damage occurs?
Relax the lashes using the relaxation method to reduce the curl and encourage the lashes back into a less lifted/curled state.
Offer an in-salon lash hydration service of application of Elleeplex Re-GEN as a stand-alone service. The client’s lashes will be noticeably conditioned and nourished.
Offering Elleeplex aftercare as a conditioning and nourishing lotion for your client’s lashes that they can apply daily to help not only with nourishment but also with styling will help to support the lashes and offer much needed nourishment to repair and regrow into healthy lashes again.
A supplement could also be worth considering for internal consumption of a comprehensive formula that provides essential nutrients for strong hair/lashes. Choosing a supplement with Silica, Horsetail, Biotin and Ascorbic acid (to aid absorption) will strengthen any brittle lash damage and assist with the regeneration of the lashes in the lash cycle.
Can my client wear mascara?
Absolutely – you can choose to wear Elleevate Mascara immediately after your lash lamination (and remove at the evening using Elleebana Make Up Remover), or wait until after the first 24 hours then apply regular mascara. Remember that mascaras need to be replaced every 3 months to avoid bacteria growth and infections in your lashes/eyes.
When should I rebook my client for a re-lamination?
A client can have a lash lamination as soon as she would like to, we generally say a lift should last up to 6 weeks or more on some clients – however, the lash growth cycle must be taken into account. If you notice your client has a lot of baby lash growth coming through you may wish to point this out to them and recommend that they re-book their next lamination for sooner than 6 weeks – perhaps 4 weeks might suit.
Other clients might experience an extremely slow lash regeneration process and only need a lift every 8 – 10 weeks, however, if you are performing a tint, they will need to come back for a touch up tint at 6 weeks.
What if my client’s bottom lashes were caught up in the lash lamination?
Protection of the bottom lashes is mandatory – they must not be curled up onto the rod and they must not touch the eye with the lamination lotion.
If the lower lashes process, this is because the lotion has come into contact with these lashes and you will need to perform the relaxation method on these lashes with the client’s eyes open. This is a very precise and careful procedure, and you must proceed with caution. It is recommended to prop your client up instead of laying down and using a wonder wand or a very small mascara wand or micro-brush to gently comb the lift and setting lotion onto the lashes and relax the lower lashes.
I’m allergic to lash extensions adhesives – Can I have a lash lamination?
Most reactions to lash extensions adhesives is caused by contact with the skin and through a build-up of exposure to Cyanoacrylate (the ingredient found in all lash extensions adhesives). Elleeplex Profusion Lash Lamination products and adhesives don’t contain cyanoacrylate so the chance of a reaction to lash lamination will be slim, however a patch test is the best way to determine if a client might have sensitivities and is always recommended.
Can I use a lash lamination or a lash lamination relaxation process to straighten a client’s afro style lashes in order to apply lash extensions?
Yes, you can, however, an Elleeplex Profusion lamination/straightening treatment must be performed 24 hours before the lash extensions are applied to ensure the lashes have returned to their normal pH level and because some lash techs choose to clean/shampoo lashes before applying lash extensions this might affect the result of the lamination/straightening. You will also need to bear in mind that as the lamination/straightening service grows out, the fills for the extensions will become more difficult and might need removing and a full new set instead of filling.
My client has lash extensions on but wants a lash lamination – Can I remove the extensions and laminate the lashes in the same treatment?
The short answer is no – while we have tested this and had great results, we have only tested this using Elleebana Lash Extensions product range and not every lash extensions product range (i.e. glue, remover, primer) is the same. We also cannot determine the results of this as many lash extensions technicians that operate may not perform lash extensions safely (with correct isolation or not enough glue control causing overloading of the lash line). If a client comes with unsafe lash extension application applied there is a big likelihood that their natural lashes will be damaged and laminating damaged lashes might also cause unnecessary breakage. For this reason, we have to say that the treatment can only be performed after the removal of lash extensions on a case-by-case basis and with careful lash health assessment.
What determines a healthy natural lash and how do I tell if the natural lash is damaged?
This is a set of lashes that have experienced breakage/snapping and trauma from lash extensions applications. You can see the ends of the lashes are thinner weaker and twisting off to one side. These lashes are damaged and need care and nourishment to return to their normal state.