Beauty Talk

What are eyelash extensions?

Eyelash extensions have no equal when it comes to enhancing the appearance of your eyes. The good news is today’s extensions are no longer the reserve of the rich and famous and are light years away from fake eyelashes sold in pharmacy cosmetic departments.

The first thing your esthetician will do is put a protective adhesive bandage on your bottom lashes so they won’t stick to the top ones. The extensions are then bonded one by one onto your real eyelashes. A session can last from 45 minutes to three hours, depending on the number of lashes added to achieve the desired effect. The extensions are called “permanent” because they stay in position until your natural lashes, to which they are glued, fall out. Your technician will advise you on how to care for your extensions. Touch-ups are required every three to four weeks.

Choose an esthetician that has all the required training and make sure the products he or she uses are hypoallergenic and that the instruments are sterilized. At the end of the session, the fumes from the glue may bother you temporarily and cause some tears and mild itching. If you have a stronger reaction than that, mention it to your esthetician immediately. Consult the professionals at your beauty salon for more information.

When it comes to choosing the hair-removal technology that best meets your needs there are many deciding factors: your budget, lifestyle, skin and hair color, your pain tolerance, the areas to be treated and the presence of hair between sessions.

Laser and intense pulsed light (IPL). These two technologies are similar in that they rely on a beam of light to gradually destroy the hair bulb. The process takes eight to twelve sessions, at approximately six-week intervals. These techniques are better for larger body areas. Bear in mind that the greater the difference between hair and skin color, the better the results. That is why you should always have a consultation before the first session.

Electrolysis. This technique uses an electric current to destroy hairs one at a time. It is most often used for small body areas or as a complement to laser or IPL, which don’t get rid of the palest hairs. Electrolysis requires a lot of sessions, but the results are conclusive in the vast majority of people.

Whichever method you choose, make sure the technician has the necessary training and that the device used is sterilized, calibrated and well maintained. In addition, be sure to follow all instructions to the letter, particularly with regard to exposure to sunlight. Ask the professionals at your beauty salon for more details. ª

Which permanent hair removal technique is best for me?