No and Yes.
No, they do not damage the natural lashes if done properly by experienced technicians. Extensions are attached to your natural lashes with a small amount of adhesives and the extra weight added onto the lashes are next to nothing to inflict any kind of damage.
Why does it feel like my natural lashes are falling off faster whenever I get the extensions done?
That is only because the extensions make it much more noticeable than before. On average, each eye naturally sheds 2-5 lashes a day and a person loses about 20% of their natural lashes every two weeks - notice the amount of hairs on the bathroom floor after dry? The same principle. There is a natural growth cycle of about 60 days for lashes and studies find no correlation between the duration of the cycle and eyelash extensions. Many of my clients who have been getting theirs done for over 8-9 years have very healthy natural lashes.
There are two ways lash extensions fall: 1) while still attached to the natural lashes - this happens when the falling coincides with the natural shedding cycle of your eyelashes 2) as the adhesive loses its adhesion to the lashes which typically lasts about 3-4 weeks. So, don't be alarmed to see extensions fall with your natural lashes still attached to them.
I also say YES, they can damage your lashes, because the extensions done using wrong techniques can damage your natural lashes. The most common practice is using too much glue which is often the case involving inexperienced technicians and those without proper training. Using too much glue can get in the way of natural lashes and hinder their natural growth, especially if there are signs of clumping. I am often forced to turn back new clients with sparse and damaged lashes recommending them to return after conditioning them with lash serum for at least a month. General appearances may be similar, but close inspection of the lash extensions can reveal so much of the practitioner's technique. Attaching too many lashes on one lash, smearing adhesives on the eyelids and the base, not aligning them properly to the natural lash, and most importantly not using QUALITY ADHESIVES can all contribute to damaging your lashes.
In short, find an experienced technician with proper training who can offer quality lash products and service.
Is there anything I could do to keep my natural lashes healthy?
Yes, and they will be covered in the next posting at length.
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