Myth: The 24-hour rule for eyelash lifting

Are you really not allowed to get your eyelashes wet after a lash lift? 🤔

You often hear that after an eyelash lift, the eyelashes should not come into contact with water for at least 24 hours . But is that really true? Many people believe that water, steam or moisture weakens or even destroys the curl of the eyelashes. This assumption is persistent - but it is a myth ! In this blog post, you will find out why water does not ruin the lift and what is really important. 💡

The chemistry behind lash lifting 🧪

To understand why the myth of the 24-hour rule arose, let's take a look at the chemical processes behind a lash lift .

An eyelash lift changes the structure of the eyelashes by breaking down the sulfur bonds in the hairs and rearranging them. During the treatment, the eyelashes are placed on a silicone pad that creates the desired curl. The chemical lifting lotion specifically breaks down the sulfur bonds so that the eyelashes can adapt exactly to the shape of the silicone. The fixing lotion then ensures that the sulfur bonds are permanently stabilized in this new shape.

👉 This means: After the lifting, the eyelashes “imitate” the curvature of the silicone pad 1:1.

• Hydrogen bonds also play a role, but they are not responsible for the permanent bending. They provide elasticity and break when exposed to moisture - but automatically reform when dry.

A simple example: When you wash your hair, it becomes softer and more malleable, making it easier to blow-dry or braid. But as soon as it dries, it returns to its original shape.

• Sulfur bonds, on the other hand, determine the long-term structure of the eyelashes. They can only be changed by chemical processes - not by water or moisture. 💧🚫

So why the 24-hour rule? ⏳

We have now learned that water does not change the new lash curl, right? Right! However, some manufacturers recommend keeping the lashes dry for the first 24 hours, why??

1️⃣ Care products on the eyelashes : After a lash lift, a nourishing final treatment is often applied to restore moisture and nutrients to the eyelashes. If the eyelashes are washed immediately, this care product is simply rinsed off.

☝️BUT : Special aftercare is not absolutely necessary if high-quality products have already been used during the lifting.

2️⃣ Porous hair structure : After the treatment, the eyelashes are a little more porous for a short time because the cuticle remains slightly open. This makes it easier for external influences to penetrate and attack the hair structure.

☝️BUT : After just a few hours, the skin's sebaceous glands begin to coat the eyelashes again with a natural protective film.

🚨 What you really should pay attention to:

After an eyelash lift, there are no strict prohibitions or restrictions ! You can shower, swim or exercise as normal - water, moisture or daily routines will not harm the result.

✅ Make sure you do your preparatory work well: Good preparatory work with high-quality products ensures that the eyelashes remain stable and do not require any additional aftercare. If gentle lotions were used during the lifting that do not unnecessarily damage the eyelash structure, no special care is required.

✅ No fear of water: Water has no effect on the new bend. The sulfur bonds are stable after fixing, and hydrogen bonds that are broken in the short term by moisture have no effect on the new permanent bend.

Conclusion: Is the 24-hour rule a myth? 🔍

YES! Water alone does not harm the lash lift , as it cannot dissolve the chemically fixed sulphur bonds. A final treatment can be beneficial, but is not a must. If you choose high-quality lifting products, you can ensure strong, healthy eyelashes during the treatment.

💡 Our tip: Make sure you do good preparatory work with the right lotions. This way, every eyelash lift your customers get will stay beautiful for a long time! 💕

📢 Discover our gentle lotions for your lash lifting!