Explore Lash Lifts in Baltimore – Is it Worth the Investment?
The Journal for Beauty Science & Innovation
A B S T R A C T
The Lash Lift is a popular procedure to that has gained a lot of popularity recently, but many people are still wondering if it's worth their time and money. In this article, we'll explore Why lash lifts are an ideal option for Some clients in the Baltimore market.
⮞ Curls & Volumizes your natural lashes
⮞ Cannot Lengthen your lashes
⮞ Lasts 6-8 weeks, but Can Bear significant risk
⮞ not a replacement for extensions, But a good option for some
B A C K G R O U N D
What is a Lash Lift?
VIDEO: Lash Lift Walk-Through from our Cosmetic Formulary, Kalentin®️
A lash lift is a semi-permanent procedure that helps to curl and volumize your lashes. The procedure involves gently perming the lashes into a more tightly curled + defined appearance. The results last for around 6-8 weeks, depending on the type of lash lift you opt for. It’s important to note that lash lifts DON’T extend the length of your lashes.
Lash lifts have been popularized over the past few years via beauty influencers across social media platforms as an affordable alternative to eyelash extensions. However, lash lifts are known to cause significant damage to existing eyelashes, while hindering healthy lash growth in the future.
As of now, there are only a few salons that provide lash lifts within the Baltimore and Towson areas - likely due to the multitude of complications associated with lash lifting. Within this article, we’ll explore the process of lash lifting and who in Baltimore may benefit from the service (spoiler alert: most clients will be better candidates for eyelash extensions applied by a reputable salon like Lash Lab of Baltimore).
P R O C E S S
Step One: Preparation
FIGURE: Kalentin®️ Lash Lift Procedure
The procedure itself is relatively simple. A skilled esthetician will always begin with a thorough consultation, including an evaluation of the current health of your eyelashes. After confirming your candidacy for the procedure, she will discuss your desired style outcomes.
Your technician will start the procedure applying a silicone curling bar to your eyelids, which will act as a base for the lifting process. The curling bars come in a variety of sizes to allow for a customized curl pattern.
Step Two: Lifting Solution
They will then apply a perming solution made from Ammonium Thioglycolate (the same ingredient in hair perming solutions) to your lashes and use a special tool to lift and curl them over the silicone curling bar to achieve your desired final shape.
Ammonium thioglycolate is a highly basic solution that interrupts disulfide bonds (among others) within your eyelashes - this makes your hair malleable and easy to reshape. Ammonium thioglycolate is so caustic that not all the original bonds will reform in flat cuticle layers. As a result, your eyelashes will take on a thickened, voluminous appearance.
Step Three: Neutralization
After the perming solution has fully curled your lashes, your esthetician will apply a neutralizing serum to stop the chemical reaction from occurring further. This solution is acidic to counteract the alkalinity of the perm.
Step Four: Aftercare Instructions
Just as with a traditional perm, you will be advised to avoid wetting your lashes for at least 48 hours post-procedure.. Water will weaken your keratin bonds before they’ve had an opportunity to fully reform, which will make your hair susceptible to being unintentionally reshaped. This may be difficult for our Baltimore-area clients given the humidity we experience.
T H E S C I E N C E : R I S K S
Why do Lash Lifts cause Damage?
FIGURE: Complications of Lash Lifts in Baltimore
Let’s explore the science of lash lifting: as previously stated, lash lifts bear a slew of common complications. Recall that the active ingredient in lash lifts is Ammonium Thioglycolate, a highly caustic chemical also used in hair perms.
This chemical works by breaking disulfide bonds (keratin bonds) within your hair in a process that is irreversible. Typically this process is tightly controlled to minimize damage to your natural hair. However, if a solution containing Ammonium Thioglycolate is allowed to process for an extended period of time you will experience permanent damage to the keratin bonds - leading all the way to the complete destruction of each individual hair strand. This destroys the integrity of your hair and leads to a frazzled appearance.
Many unsuspecting clients have been lured into trying lash lifts due to the dazzling before & pictures, but ultimately it is too difficult to accurately control the processing of Ammonium Thioglycolate on eyelashes. We’ve discussed previously that many eyelash estheticians are improperly trained in unsanctioned courses held in hotel conference rooms across the nation (eyelash treatments are not currently taught within most beauty schools). Results will vary significantly based on the acumen of your esthetician and your natural hair patterns.
Complications of Lash Lifts in Baltimore
We surveyed our clients who have received lash lifts from salons inside and outside of Baltimore for the common complication that they experienced.
Frizzy Appearance
Alopecia (Hair Loss)
Sparse & Thin Lashes
Permanent Changes to Curl
Dryness
Breakage
Redness + Irritation
Unruly Lash Regrowth
One young woman who opted for the procedure reported that “[her] eyelids began to swell and [her] eyes got really red”. In the worst cases, some clients have even reported severe ocular inflammation that required medical attention, and even vision loss or blindness.
C A N D I D A C Y
As you can see from the aforementioned risks of lash lifts are generally a risky decision. It is very difficult to time the application of the lifting solution for each individual client based on generic recommendations. Eyelashes are so thin that there is very little room for error.
There is only a small cohort of clients for whom lash lifts may be a less dangerous option:
OKAY Candidate ✅
- Medium or Thick Hair
- Never Had Allergic Reaction to Anything
- Full, Long Eyelashes
NOT a Candidate ❌
- Thin Hair
- Experience Allergic Reactions Sometimes
- Desiring Extended Length
- Existing Damage to the Lashline
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N for B A L T I M O R E L A S H L I F T S
FIGURE: Results of 2nd Gen. Lash Lift free of Thioglycolate
Lash lifts are not a true replacement for the voluminous appearance of traditional lash extensions that bear minimal risk of damage. However, if you do opt to proceed with getting a lash lift, please review the following recommendations:
DO consider 2nd-generation lash lift kits that are made from gentler ingredients
DO follow all prescribed aftercare instructions
DON’T visit an esthetician without extensive reviews or a referral
DON’T consider lash lifts if you have damaged or thin lashes
C O N C L U S I O N
All in all, lash lifts may help you in a pinch but are not a true substitute for lash extensions. It's important to understand that lash lifts are a great option for those who already have long + full lashes. A lash lift won't add length and will only add a minimal boost to your volume - while bearing a host of potential side effects leading up to blindness!
Considering the risks, we strongly recommend that you consider a set of professionally applied lash extensions for a semi-permanent lash look that's suitable for all lash lengths. If allergens are a concern, you'll be comforted by our 3-Step Clean process complete with hospital-grade sterilization. You'll also enjoy our new LED Gel lashes, which significantly reduce your exposure to unpolymerized Acrylate monomers + black piments commonly found in adhesives. With all the benefits lash extensions have to offer, who wouldn’t want to try getting them?
