Keratin Lash Lift - Everything You Need to Know
A Keratin lash lift is a semi-permanent lash enhancement procedure similar to a regular, chemical one, but with some key differences. Find out all about it.
Image source: Instagram @uplift_beauty_
A lash lift is a great semi-permanent way to enhance your eyelashes. It’s very low-maintenance, cost-friendly, and gives stunning natural-looking results. However, many clients aren’t aware that there are actually more than one type of lash lift available.
In this article, we’ll explain everything about the Keratin lash lift, an alternative to a chemical lash lift that’s said to be gentler on the lashes, with much less risk of lash damage.
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What Is a Keratin Lash Lift?
A Keratin lash lift is a treatment that temporarily enhances the lashes by lifting them up, curling them into an attractive shape that opens up the eyes, and optionally tinting them into a darker shade.
It’s a simple treatment that takes about an hour and gives you around 6-8 weeks of enhanced lashes.
Image source: Instagram @beautybyme823
Keratin Lash Lift VS Regular Lash Lift
While both treatments give more or less the same look of lifted lashes, the difference between a Keratin lash lift VS regular lash lift lies in the products used to lift the lashes.
A regular lash lift uses alkaline perming chemicals to create the curl, which break down the disulfide bonds in the hairs, which allows the technician to manipulate the hairs into a desired shape. This can leave the hairs dehydrated and dry.
A Keratin lash lift uses a Keratin-infused formula enriched with peptides. Keratin is the building block of all hair, a protein which forms the structure of hair, and as such it’s naturally present in the lashes. A Keratin lash lift supplements the naturally present Keratin and strengthens the lashes, re-shaping them from root to tip, but also improving their state along the way.
The procedure is virtually the same for both types of lash lifts, but a Keratin lash lift provides additional benefits of nourishment and strengthening, abolishing the risk of damaging the integrity of the lashes. As such, it minimizes the aftercare, since your lashes probably won’t need any conditioning and re-hydrating.
A Keratin lash lift is also said to hold slightly longer.
If you want to learn more, here’s a guide through the Chemical Lash Lift.
Image source: Instagram @amorbylee.beauty
How Is a Keratin Lash Lift Done?
The procedure is simple and it comes down to cleaning the lashes, treating them with a Keratin-infused lifting solution, and optionally tinting them. Let’s go through each step in more detail.
Step 1 – Consults
When you show up to your appointment, the lash tech will first assess your lashes. Based on their length, they’ll choose a suitable rod – a convex silicone pad that the lashes will be lifted onto and whose shape they’ll assume. The choice of rod is important because its shape determines how lifted and curled the lashes will turn out.
To achieve an attractive, balanced curl, shorter lashes need a smaller rod, while longer lashes need a larger one.
Step 2 – Cleaning
Then, you’ll be asked to lay on a bed. The tech will use a gentle cleanser to remove all residues of makeup and oil from your lashes. It’s important that your lashes are cleaned as thoroughly as possible so that the solution can be absorbed evenly.
If you want to help your lash tech, don’t wear eye makeup to your appointment. It might also be useful to avoid makeup for a day or 2 before your Keratin lash lift appointment, just to be safe.
Step 3 – Lower Lashes Are Covered with a Patch
A type of patch will be placed over your lower lashes, to get them out of the way during the process.
Step 4 – Placing the Rod and Brushing the Lashes onto It
You will have to close your eyes at this point and keep them closed until the treatment is over.
A silicone rod will then be stuck to your upper eyelid, just above the lash line. Using a very small amount of adhesive, the lash tech will stick your lashes onto the rod, separating them and spacing them out evenly across the rod with a special tool.
Step 5 – Applying the Lifting Formula
The lashes will be coated with a layer of the lifting formula. Some techs like to apply a piece of cling wrap over the lashes, to generate mild heat which will maximize the effectiveness of the Keratin formula.
The formula will be left on for a certain time (10-20 minutes usually), depending on the product formulation and the thickness of your lashes.. It is essential you don’t try to open your eyes during this time.
Then, your lashes will be cleaned, usually with a cotton pad and q-tips.
Step 6 – Optional Tinting
If you want, you can have both keratin lash lift and tint, to tint your lashes into a darker shade and make them look even more prominent. A tinting formula is applied and left on for about 15 minutes.
Step 7 – Cleaning the Lashes and Removing the Rod
Finally, the lashes are cleansed. The silicone rod is removed, and so is the protective patch that covered your lower lashes. You can open your eyes and enjoy the results of the treatment!
Image source: Instagram @confidence.bycat
How Long Does the Treatment Last?
About 45 minutes to an hour. It can last a bit longer if you’re getting a keratin lash lift and tint combo.
How Long Does Keratin Lash Lift Last?
The results of the Keratin lash lift will last the entirety of your lash growth cycle, so about 6-8 weeks. Once the lashes are curled and re-shaped, they’ll stay lifted until they fall out.
Bear in mind that each of the lashes has its unique cycle and not all of them will fall out at the same time, so you won’t be losing your lash lift overnight. The curl will relax gradually. After the whole lash line has been replaced by new, straight lashes, you can repeat the treatment.
What Are the Rules of Keratin Lash Lift Aftercare?
The lashes need to be kept dry for about 24 hours. That means not getting them wet, but also avoiding sweating – no strenuous exercise, no sauna, steam baths, jacuzzis. Keep your showers short and not too hot, and avoid cooking-related steam and heat. Don’t wear contact lenses for a day or 2.
After that, you don’t have to take any special care of your lashes. You can wear makeup, even mascara. The only restriction is you shouldn’t use a lash curler as it can ruin the shape of your lash lift, but you won’t need one anyway.
It’s also wise to avoid oil-based skincare and makeup (this particularly applies to waterproof mascara), as certain oils can relax the curl. You should also refrain from touching your lashes as much as possible, but brushing through them with a spoolie every once in a while can be useful.
Optionally, you can use a nourishing lash serum to keep your lashes hydrated.
Image source: Instagram @nicebrowusa
Is a Keratin Lash Lift Safe?
Yes, the treatment is perfectly safe, as long as it’s done properly, keeping track of timing, and keeping the eyes closed at all times.
Generally, the primary safety precaution is finding a good lash tech. Only get the treatment from certified and licensed lash techs who have enough experience. Be aware that licensing regulations vary per state and in some places require no certification at all, but it’s safer to go to someone who’s certified regardless.
Are There Any Contraindications?
This is somewhat debatable, as some lash tech claim the treatment is fine even for those with sensitive eyes, while others avoid performing the treatment on clients with a history of irritable eyes, eye infections or allergies, or dry eye syndrome.
Likewise, most techs claim that any eye surgery in the past 6-12 months, including eyelid lifts or laser eye surgery, are a contraindication.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?
In terms of side effects, a tiny portion of clients may feel some discomfort during the procedure – tingling or irritation. This can happen if the lifting or tinting solutions come in contact with the skin of the eyelids. In most cases, this is nothing serious, but you should tell your lash tech if you feel anything weird.
Possible risks include a more severe reaction to the solutions, like skin irritation, redness and puffiness. Allergic reactions to the adhesive used to stick the rod on or any other product used can be prevented with a patch test.
If the solutions get into the eyes, there’s risk of ocular damage. That’s why it’s crucial you keep your eyes closed until instructed to open them.
NOTE
While it is possible to do a lash lift yourself, with an at-home lash lift kit, we strongly recommend getting professional treatment. It may be a bit more expensive, but it’s much safer and you’ll get better results.
Image source: Instagram @barefaced.sg
How Much Does a Keratin Lash Lift Cost?
The average cost of a Keratin lash lift is around $100, but the price range is quite wide, so you can find the treatment for much less, but also much more. The price primarily depends on the brand of the products used, but also on the location of the salon and its general exclusivity.
Learn more about the price range here.
Keratin Lash Lift – Main Takeaways
A Keratin lash lift is said to be a safer alternative to a chemical lash lift – a lash perm. Although both treatments work in a similar way, the Keratin lash lift uses a keratin-infused lifting solution instead of an alkaline one, so it’s gentler on the lashes. The results last for about 6-8 weeks with virtually no aftercare.
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