September 21, 2023

WHY DOES EYELASH EXTENSIONS GLUE TURN WHITE?

Have you ever noticed a moment when the eyelash extension glue turns white? You don't know why this happens or how to avoid it? Read until the end so you don't miss any details or tips that we are going to share with you!

Ready to become an expert on why eyelash extension glue turns white?

The main ingredient in eyelash extension glue is cyanoacrylate. The characteristics of cyanoacrylate adhesive that make it favorable for use in this industry include strong adhesion, fast setting time, and the fact that it requires little to no solvent. While cyanoacrylate has many benefits, today let’s talk about something unfavorable that can sometimes occur!

WHY does eyelash extension glue turn white?

DID YOU KNOW?

Cyanoacrylate adhesive does not “dry” by evaporation of the solvent like many other adhesives. Instead, the adhesive cures upon contact with moisture in the air. Simply put, a chemical reaction occurs where the cyanoacrylate molecules bond and harden.

Eyelash extension glue turns white when suddenly exposed to very high humidity or direct moisture. This causes the adhesive to shock cure, instead of curing at a normal rate. When this happens, the appearance of the adhesive turns white. The term for this is called “shock curing.” When eyelash extension glue turns white due to shock curing, not only does the bond look unpleasant, but the strength of the bond is also compromised. This is because curing too quickly causes a “shrinkage process of the adhesive layer, resulting in less bond strength.” The bond becomes brittle, weak, and has a frosty white appearance.

COMMON CAUSES AND WAYS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS.

The most common reasons for eyelash extension glue to turn white are tearing, cleaning the lashes before the adhesive is fully cured, nano-misting the lashes too close, and improper removal of the eyelash extensions.

1. WATERY EYES

If you notice your client's eyes becoming watery, address this issue promptly. This is one of the most common reasons why eyelash extension glue turns white at the outer corners of the eyes. Tears can come into contact with the eyelash extension glue and cause shock polymerization.

Troubleshooting -> First, determine the reason why your client's eyes are watering.

Is it because their eyes are open and the adhesive vapor is irritating them?

Could it be that the gel pad is moving around in their eyes, causing irritation?

Is it because their eyes tear easily?

Are your lights too bright for your customer?

Are you causing discomfort to your customer?

Once you've identified the cause of the tears, eliminate the culprit.

PRO TIP:

A little trick is to cut our lint-free wipes and stick them to the outer corners of your client's eyes.

This is a life-changing trick for your naturally tearful clients.

Wipes catch and absorb tears. It is VERY important to use lint-free wipes rather than tissues or cotton, as lint can react with the cyanoacrylate, creating a very hot chemical reaction.

1. Nanomist too close to the eyes.

Nanomistering eyelash extensions at the end of a session increases the humidity in the vicinity. Lash artists do this to speed up the adhesive curing speed in low humidity situations. However, the nanomister should not be held too close to the lashes. Eyelash extension glue turns white when overloaded with moisture, disrupting the proper curing of the cyanoacrylate. Very close misting causes too much humidity and can lead to shock polymerization.

Troubleshooting -> Hold the nanomister about 30cm (1 foot) away from the client's newly applied lashes when nanomistering. This will prevent the eyelash extension glue from turning white.

1. Improper removal of eyelashes.

Have you noticed that your eyelash extension glue turns white after removal? This is a sign that you haven’t completely removed all the glue residue with your eyelash extension remover. The eyelash remover works by breaking down the adhesive. When the adhesive left on the lashes is re-exposed to too much moisture (for example, from washing off the remover with eyelash extension shampoo), the eyelash extension glue turns white.

Troubleshooting -> It takes time for the eyelash remover to break down the adhesive. If you didn't let the remover sit long enough, it may be difficult to remove all of the extensions and adhesive.

Make sure to follow the instructions to properly remove the lashes. For example, our Star Lashes World Eyelash Extension Remover takes 5 minutes to properly break down the adhesive bond. If there is any adhesive residue left, reapply the remover to the bond and wait another 3-5 minutes. The adhesive residue will then easily slide off the natural lashes. Always make sure all adhesive residue is completely removed before cleaning the lashes after a lash extraction.

1. Cleaning eyelashes too soon after application.

Many lash artists now prefer to clean their clients' lashes at the end of the appointment. This is to remove any extension adhesive fumes that may have landed on the client's skin. However, cleaning immediately after applying the last extensions may be too soon! Depending on how quickly your lash extension adhesive cures, how much adhesive you used, and the humidity in your layup room, it may take some time for all of the adhesive to cure. When you clean before the adhesive cures, the lash extension glue will turn white due to shock curing.

Troubleshooting -> Wait 5-10 minutes after applying the last extension before cleaning. This is to ensure that the adhesive is not exposed to too much moisture before it cures, otherwise you may see the eyelash extension glue turn white. While you wait, take your time to check for “stickies,” remove gel eye pads and tape, and evacuate adhesive fumes from your client’s eyes.

EYELASH EXTENSIONS GLUE HAS TURNED WHITE. HOW TO REMOVE IT?

When eyelash extension glue turns white, the best way to deal with it is to remove it completely. First, the white residue is very unattractive as it contrasts with the black lashes. It is very obvious if not removed. Second, due to shock polymerization, the bond is very weak. The extension will probably disappear after a few days of wear. Therefore, to remove completely and replace with new extensions is the best method to handle this situation.

Although the banana peel method of eyelash removal is quick and easy, it is unfortunately not the best option when the eyelash extension glue turns white. This method of eyelash removal usually does not remove all white residue. To completely remove all white residue, an eyelash remover should be used. Isolate the eyelash extensions where the eyelash glue has turned white and treat the lashes with our Star Lashes World Eyelash Extension Remover.

FINAL WORDS

If you ever notice that your eyelash extension glue is turning white, don't panic!

Determine the most likely cause of the shock hardening and prevent it from happening again during the appointment. An easy removal with Star Lashes World Eyelash Extension Remover will do the trick to undo the frosty white adhesive bond!

We hope this blog has covered everything you needed to know about why eyelash extension glue turns white and how to fix it! You are now an expert on the subject.

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