It's been a while since the last revolution in lash styling - which I think was definitely the arrival of ready-made fans. And when a new system of gluing lashes with UV light started appearing abroad, I was on the lookout for it and looking forward to trying it out one day. The prospects looked great - easier bonding, longer retention and no more need to watch the temperature and humidity in the salon, and the promise that perhaps this system could be a great alternative for allergy sufferers - it all sounds appealing!
Now that I have tested the system, I can recommend it to others, which is why you can also find it on our online store. However, there are still many questions and uncertainties around the whole issue, which you regularly contact me with. Therefore, in this article I will try to explain how the UV system works, what benefits it brings, how safe it is, but also what to watch out for when working with it. Because not everything that some manufacturers claim about the system is true.
If you are interested in a detailed description of how to work with the UV lash system, read this article as well and work with the UV lamp like a pro.
Positives and certainities
I've switched to the UV eyelash gluing system almost without reservation. Why?
- It's great that I can glue one fan next to the other thanks to the gradual hardening of the glue, I don't have to jump from eye to eye and I can more easily glue all my natural lashes. I attach, I shine, and I move on. This also eliminates clumping.
- Clients have been coming back to me for refills a week or two later ever since. Where I used to have about a 3 week window for most of them, now they come in after 5 weeks. This has allowed me to pick up new clients that I suddenly have time for.
- Clients completely eliminated the need to keep an eye on their lashes for 24 hours after application. They can go to the pool, the sauna, put on a mask - the glue will still stick!
- A drop of glue will stay fresh at work for much longer, as long as you don't expose it to the sun or any other UV source.
- The glue is transparent, so the resulting joints are even less visible.
- All of these points make the job go much faster. How I use the extra time is then up to me.
I've written more tips on how to make your work faster and easier in the article "I'm in shock! You haven't heard about these 10 tricks for being effective with eyelash extensions!" Make sure to read it!
Is the UV system suitable for allergy sufferers?
In addition, many brands claim that the UV lash system is also suitable for allergy sufferers. But I've been very cautious about this claim from the beginning.
For example, the glue does not contain black coloring, which is one of the possible original allergens. However, more often than not, clients were allergic to cyanoacrylates, which are largely present in conventional eyelash adhesives. However, UV eyelash glue also contains cyanoacrylates, but to a much lesser extent. Even so, allergies can still occur repeatedly.
When applying UV adhesive, you should also ask your clients if they are allergic to the sun (i.e. UV radiation). UV radiation will be your main help, and even if it is not much, it can make life uncomfortable for sensitive people.
If you have an at-risk client who wants to come in for her first eyelash application, make an appointment to at least do a patch test.
How to work with the UV lash glue?
You can find out directly in the product description of our eyelash glue or in this short video:
The UVA radiation from the lamp helps the molecules in the adhesive to polymerize within seconds, which solidifies the adhesive and makes the joint instantly strong. It should therefore be remembered that the application should be carried out in a darkened room with artificial lighting and the adhesive should be prepared away from a shiny surface that reflects light. For example, our disposable glass slide film will help you with this.
But even when gluing fans with the UV lash system, you must not forget to prepare them perfectly. The lashes must be cleaned, degreased and Primer must be applied. This is the only way to ensure that your client's lashes will last for a really long time. As I wrote in the advantages of this system, the client doesn't have to think about her lashes after leaving the salon and can enjoy her life.
Primer is sometimes forgotten, but for me it's the alpha and omega. Why, you ask? The answer can be found in this article: "3 reasons to always use a primer when extending eyelashes".
Safety first
The UV adhesive drying lamp has a foot pedal that you press briefly whenever you need to secure a joint. You shine the light on the eyelash and move on. If you do multiple clients in a day, it's a good idea to protect your eyesight from reflected UV rays with protective eyewear. The client's eye is closed so the UV doesn't hit it as much, but if you want to give her added comfort, you can offer to put a protective band over her eyelids.
The UV light emitted by the lamp is on the UVA spectrum. This is the invisible radiation that you expose yourself to every day in the sun. It is harmful and causes skin aging when exposed for long periods of time, which is why we protect ourselves from it with sunscreen. From time to time there are also alarming headlines warning of its deadly dangers. But there's no need to worry about UVA radiation from our lamp, because when you're exposed to it, you get about half the dose of UVA radiation (0.22 mW/cm2) as you would outside on a normal spring or summer day, and the lamp doesn't shine on you non-stop in the salon.
Lash expert Nora de Paula also took to her Instagram for an independent experiment. My team and I also looked at many studies on UV and its effects before launching the UV system on our online store. I was curious to see how much UVA radiation we receive just from the sun on a regular basis so I could have some comparisons. And in this study by Danish scientists, they carried out comparative tests in Copenhagen, where you can see how many mW/cm2 we normally receive during the year.
I'm certainly not giving up on the classic gluing system - it will still have its place in my salon, but I now treat 95% of my clients with the UV system. And I look forward to seeing what innovations our industry will bring next time! 😊
Other interesting reading on my blog:
- Eyelash extensions from A to Z
- 6 principles for the proper care of eyelash extensions
- Makeup trends for 2023
