Can You Swim With Eyelash Extensions? (Answered)

It’s that time of year again when the sun shines brightly in the sky, the winds become strong, and the cold waters beckon you to swim in them. With summer just around the corner, we’re sure you’re planning a trip to a beach to escape the sweltering temperatures. 

What good are beach vacations if you don’t take photos of yourself in cute bikinis flaunting your newly tanned skin and flushed face? We know you want to look your best even at the beach, which is why many women get eyelash extensions to enhance their natural beauty. Many, however, wonder ‘can you swim with eyelash extensions’ and whether it is safe or if it will cause any harm. If you’re also curious, keep reading because we’ll discuss whether swimming with eyelash extensions is possible and what precautions you should take.

Can You Swim With Eyelash Extensions? | A Basic Guide To Protect Your Lashes 

What Are Lash Extensions?

Lash extensions are an increasingly popular cosmetic technique to enhance the natural beauty of a person’s eyelashes. Under this procedure, experts use adhesive glue to apply small strands of synthetic lashes onto each natural lash. As a result, your lashes look longer, fuller, and more voluminous than they would naturally be. Many women like this procedure because it gives you a glamorous look without using mascara or other makeup products.

Lash extensions come in various materials, including mink, silk, synthetic, and faux mink. Each type has distinct properties that suit different people depending on their requirements.

Mink lashes provide the most natural-looking effect because each strand is light in weight and has tapered ends, whereas synthetic lashes offer more volume but less realism due to their thicker and stiffer texture. 

It is crucial to remember that you must always get eyelash extensions installed by a qualified technician who understands the importance of proper placement while creating the desired results.

Why Can Swimming Be Problematic for Lash Extensions?

Swimming can be especially damaging to lash extensions because water from pools, rivers, lakes, and oceans contains chemicals such as chlorine, which can strip natural oils from both hair and skin. 

Furthermore, salt water has an abrasive effect that wears down weaker extension bonds, causing them to shed prematurely after only one or two underwater swims. Hence, swimming too frequently or without proper care can cause premature shedding and discomfort due to extreme dryness or red eyes.

What Happens When You Swim With Lash Extensions?

Moisture Buildup: One risk of swimming while wearing lash extensions is moisture buildup inside them. Bacteria and fungi can grow in this environment, posing serious health risks such as infection, irritation, and other skin problems in and around the eyes.

Water Pressure Damage: The pressure from deep water diving or participating in certain watersports can rip out even properly applied lash extension glues, causing significant damage to both the extensions and natural lashes.

Eye Infections and Irritation: Another risk factor for swimming with lash extensions is getting too much chlorine pool water in your eyes, which can cause infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye). It may also aggravate pre-existing conditions such as allergies or dry eyes.

Tips To Protect Your Eyelash Extensions While Swimming

Swimming can be a great way to stay active and cool off on hot summer days, but it can also be risky if you have eyelash extensions. However, this does not mean you should avoid swimming altogether because there are several ways to protect your lashes while dipping in a pool or the ocean. Let’s look at some ways to keep your eyelash extensions safe while swimming:

Wear Goggles: Wearing goggles while swimming/showering is a simple yet effective way to prevent damage to your lash extensions. They keep unwanted particles out of your eyes while swimming, limiting any adverse effects on your lashes caused by external factors. Goggles also keep your lashes dry and prevent them from falling out too soon.

Use Mascara: Applying waterproof mascara to your lash extensions can provide additional protection when exposed to water. This technique helps to seal any gaps where water could enter and damage the adhesive, causing it to fall out prematurely. 

However, be cautious about the type of mascara you purchase because specific formulas may contain chemicals that can shorten the lifespan of most eyelash extensions over time; whenever possible, choose brands specifically designed for sensitive skin.

Coat Your Lashes With Vaseline: This creates a protective seal around each extension, keeps water from getting underneath the root of each lash, and prevents them from drying out too quickly afterward. However, avoid using too much or getting any in your eyes.

General Tips To Care For Eyelash Extensions

Avoid Using Oil-based Products: Oils from beauty products and makeup removers can damage or loosen the adhesive used on lash extensions, causing them to fall out faster than usual. So, if you wear lash extensions, you should avoid using oil-based products near your eyes as much as possible. 

You should also avoid sleeping with any oily residue on your face or other areas that could allow oil to enter your eyes, affecting the stability of your lash extension adhesives.

Be Gentle With Brushing And Cleaning: Brushing and washing your lashes every day is essential after getting lash extensions to remove accumulated dirt or dust particles that may weigh down or reduce the longevity of your lashes. However, you must be gentle when brushing, as being harsh may cause those beautiful new baby flutters to fall out long before intended.

Remember to gently wash the area around your eyes with water rather than cleaning agents throughout the day. As a result, all the sweat accumulated throughout the day gets cleaned without compromising adherence quality.

Choose The Right Brush: Invest in good quality brushes explicitly designed for eyelash extension application/removal because you don’t want coarse bristles scratching at those delicate fibers. Invest wisely here because, with proper care, these brushes can last up to three years, so it pays off over time.

Keep It Simple: It is essential to cleanse your face daily; however, avoid scrubbing or tugging at your lashes, as this may cause them to fall out. Instead, use gentle cleansers and warm water to massage the eye area gently. These steps can help protect your eyes from bacteria while keeping dirt out of them.

Avoid Moisture: Avoid extreme heat and steamy environments such as saunas, which can weaken bonding glues used during the application process, resulting in lash loss or breakage from exposure to heat for too long. Hot showers can also cause damage to your lashes, so only spend a little time in them.

Use Only Oil-Free Products: After getting eyelash extensions, you must be cautious about the products you use around your eyes. Experts recommend using oil-free makeup removers to remove any unwanted residue near your eyes. You should also avoid using your regular mascara because they contain oils, waxes, and silicones that can cause buildup and shedding.

Ask Your Esthetician For Aftercare Advice: If you need clarification about how to take precautions with extensions, we recommend that you speak with a licensed professional with adequate information, such as estheticians who perform extension procedures, beforehand.

Concluding Words 

Swimming can be fun but can also cause complications if you wear lash extensions. Experts generally advise against swimming or submerging yourself underwater while wearing lash extensions because water can weaken the bond between your natural lashes and the lash extension glue, causing them to fall out prematurely. They also recommend avoiding showering, sauna, and steam room visits—all activities that bring a lot of moisture into contact with your extensions. 

However, taking certain precautions while doing so will help reduce risks and extend the life of your beloved lashes. Make sure to closely follow the tips in this article to avoid damage to your lash extensions and always look your best.