Whilst eyelash loss isn't as visually obvious as the loss of hair on the head, it can still be emotionally distressing, plus it can be much more difficult to disguise the loss of eyelashes.
If you're not used to wearing false eyelashes, it can be an intimidating prospect choosing to wear them for the first time. False eyelashes are notoriously difficult to apply and there is an overwhelming choice of products available, making it difficult to choose the right false eyelash for you, especially if you want your lashes to look natural.
This is why, we were excited to discover C-Lashes, a false eyelash developed by Cody Gapare, a breast cancer survivor, specifically for people who have lost their natural lashes.
There aren't many false eyelashes, lash treatments, or procedures that are made with chemotherapy patients in mind. There are 2 main types of false eyelash, traditional strip lashes and magnetic lashes and whilst both of these can be used by cancer patients, they each have their own issues for those who have lost their natural lashes.
Traditional Strip Lashes
When people talk about false lashes, they’re most likely referring to traditional strip lashes, which are a horizontal band of faux wisps that are worn across the entirety of your upper lash line.
Strip lashes are typically applied with lash adhesive and tweezers or lash applicators - and a very steady hand and can take some practice, time, and effort to get used to.
Whilst glue-on strip lashes aren't bad for people who've lost their eyelashes, they don't tend to be very popular for a few key reasons.
Women without lashes of their own can find it difficult to position traditional falsies on the eyelid without them drooping or slipping without natural lashes to balance on.
Some people can have an allergic reaction to the glue, although these days it's quite easy to find latex free glue. We would advise you to purchase a hypoallergenic glue and to be careful that no glue goes into your eye. We would also recommend testing the glue on your skin in another area of the body to make sure you are not allergic to it.
Chemotherapy frequently causes increased skin sensitivity and wearing standard strip lashes can sometimes cause irritation or discomfort. If you experience any kind of irritation during or after application, it's important to remove the lashes immediately and gently wash the area, especially if any remnants of lash glue remain.
And finally, as we have already mentioned, applying traditional strip lashes ranks pretty highly in terms of difficulty and can be quite intimidating if you're not used to wearing them, although the more you practice, the easier it will get.
Magnetic False Lashes
Magnetic lashes have become popular due to their ease of application, eliminating the need for lash glue which can be messy, sticky and tends to shorten the lifespan for reusing lashes.
You can apply magnetic false lashes either by attaching them to magnetic eyeliner or by 'sandwiching' natural lashes between two sets of magnetic lashes.
'Sandwiching' magnetic lashes
This type of magnetic lash involves an upper and lower set of lashes for each eye and works by sandwiching natural lashes in between two interlocking strips of false lashes, that stick together with the help of micromagnets. Obviously if you have lost your lashes during cancer treatment, this type of magnetic lash isn't going to work.
Magnetic eyeliner lashes
Magnetic eyeliner involves applying the magnetic eyeliner along the lash line before adhering the magnetic lashes.
Magnetic eyeliner contains iron oxides, a pigmented mineral commonly found in cosmetics. By slightly increasing iron oxide levels in the eyeliner, it becomes magnetic. The minerals are tiny and are safe for use around the eyes.
Whilst many people find the magnetic eyeliner easier to apply than lash glue, magnetic lashes can still be difficult to apply if you are new to wearing false lashes.
Patients with sensitive eyes can find magnetic lashes cause irritation or discomfort and we would recommend that you avoid wearing false eyelashes every day, but instead take breaks every few days so that the area around your eyes can breathe and rest.
If you are sensitive to certain metals, we recommend a patch test to check for any negative reactions before using the product near your eyes.
And finally it's worth noting that magnetic eyelashes are unsafe for MRI and must be removed before entering the MRI zone. The MRI scan uses a magnetic field and could cause injury or complications if magnetic lashes are present.
C-Lash False Eyelashes - developed specifically for people who don't have natural lashes
C-Lashes are the first ever false eyelashes of their kind, which are designed specifically to be worn by people who don't have natural lashes.
C-Lash is a strip lash with a clear, self-adhesive band attached to it, to increase the stability of the false eyelash. The band provides a bigger, more solid foundation for the lashes to stick to the eyelid and remain in place all day.
Normal strip lashes depend on your lashes as a ledge to rest on. If you don't have anything on that ledge, strip lashes tend to droop unless you use really, really strong glue. The difference with C-Lash is it's got a band that is much thicker, so the frame that is stuck on your eyelid is offsetting the weight of the lash, so it then stays in place.
Applying C-Lashes is quick and easy compared to glue-on or magnetic falsies. Simply peel off the base's sticky backing, line them up with the very end of your lash line, and stick them right there.
C-Lashes are also reusable. Each set comes with an additional tube of latex-free adhesive, which you can reapply to the self-adhesive band if it looses stickiness, enabling you to get a few wears out of them.
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