How to take off eyelash extensions at home

Eyelash extensions have been in vogue for a few years, and for all good reasons. They are one of the beauty tools that reduce, rather than increase, the amount of time spent in makeup. But since the outbreak, many salons have had to close, leaving more eyelash extenders in the lurch.

If you've recently had false eyelashes done but want to take them off at home, there are a few things you need to know before attempting to do so. Can you pull out your eyelashes at home? Is it safe? What are the risks? So how do we do that?

 

How to Remove Eyelash Extensions at Home

Step 1: Cleanse your face

Gently cleanse your face and eye area to remove any built-up makeup or debris in the lashes while avoiding any pulling or tugging on the eye area.

Step 2: Use Steam

Fill a large bowl of water with steaming-hot water. Place your face over it and cover your head with a towel to keep the steam in.

Let it sit for a few minutes to loosen up the bond of the eyelash extensions glue.

Step 3: Heat the oil

Take a small bowl and fill it with oil. Coconut oil works best for removing eyelash lengthening, but vegetable, olive, and castor oils can also be used.

The next step is to heat the oil slightly. Make sure the oil is not too hot, as you are dealing with a highly sensitive eye area.

Dip your clean pinkie into the heat. A slight warmth is needed to speed up the process.

Step 4: Soak some pads

The next thing to do is soak one or two pieces of cotton pads in warm oil. When you're done, put the oiled cotton pads on one of your eyes, on your lashes.

Let it sit there for 5 to 10 minutes, or as long as the pad loses heat. Gently wipe the upper lash line with an oiled pad and let the oil sit on your lashes for a few minutes.

Step 5: Remove extensions

Gently wipe your eyelashes with a cotton swab dampened with mascara until they begin to fall out. Make sure your eyelashes fall off naturally.

You may damage your natural lashes if you pull them too hard, so perform this step with extra care.

Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the other eye.

Step 6: Wash your face, again!

Now that your extensions are off, cleanse your face again but this time using a gentle oil-free cleanser like Cetaphil to remove any residual oil and glue from your skin.

I can’t stress enough that this process should be done extremely carefully if you want to avoid damage to your natural lashes. If the extensions do not fall off, do not try to pull on them. You will need to have them removed by a professional.

 

Is it safe to remove eyelash extensions at home?

The easiest way to remove your lash extensions at home is to wait until most of your lash extensions are gone and you need to refill them at 2-3 weeks. At this point, the glue used has degraded and the extensions falls off easily at home.

If you want to remove a whole new set of professional eyelash extensions, it's best to have an eyelash technician do it for you. A good eyelash technician will have access to advanced eyelash removal products.

Use surgical grade glue for eyelash extensions. The active ingredient in eyelash glue is called cyanoacrylate. It's the same active ingredient in Crazy gum! The glue is very strong, so it's even better if you can make an appointment to have it removed professionally.

 

The risks of removing eyelash extensions at home

It’s safe to say that you’ll be OK if you follow the above steps on how to remove eyelash extensions. But I feel you should be wary of the risks before jumping right into the process.

The common risks include:

Damaging your natural lashes by pulling or rubbing too vigorously

Use of poor-quality removal products

Applying too much oil to your skin could clog your pores

If you’re concerned I recommend getting your lash extensions removed professionally to be on the safe side.

 

Tips For Removing Eyelash Extensions By Yourself

When you’re trying to remove lash extensions on your own, it’s important to be gentle throughout the process.

No matter which oil you’re using, you should try to avoid pulling. Instead, slide your fake lashes down with Q tips after soaking your eyes with oil-soaked cotton pads using a downward motion.

Also, keep in mind to use a snag-free mascara wand or a lint-free cotton pad to help out with the process.

Once you’re done with the lengthy process of removing it on your own, always make sure to rinse your eyes with clean water and a safe cleanser to remove any residual oil or trapped lashes.

Also, keep in mind not to collect lash extensions in the hope of reusing them. If you’re thinking about it, here are four reasons that will convince you not to reuse lash extensions.