Article Management:

• Last Updated: February 13, 2026
• Next Review Date: August 13, 2026
• Author: LASHMAITRE Health & Safety Team

---

1. The “Bumpy” Truth: Do Eyelash Extensions Cause Styes?

Eyelash Extensions and Styes: The Ultimate Guide to Prevention & Safe Treatment

It is the question every lash artist dreads: “I think your lashes gave me a stye.”

Let’s set the record straight immediately: Eyelash extensions themselves do not cause styes. However, poor hygiene habits while wearing extensions absolutely do.

For the B2B salon owner, understanding the relationship between eyelash extensions and styes is critical for liability protection and client retention. A client who blames you for an infection is a lost client. A client who learns from you how to prevent it becomes a loyal advocate.

As a factory-direct brand, LASHMAITRE prioritizes eye health. We advocate for the use of medical-grade, oil-free cleansers that keep the lash line sterile without compromising retention. This guide is your script for turning a medical scare into an educational moment.

---

2. Anatomy of a Stye: Bacteria vs. Blockage

To educate your clients, you must speak with authority. A stye (hordeolum) is essentially a pimple on the eyelid.

The Mechanism

• The Glands: Our eyelids have tiny oil glands (Meibomian glands) along the lash line.
• The Blockage: Dead skin cells, old makeup, and sebum (oil) can clog these pores.
• The Infection: Once clogged, Staphylococcus bacteria (which live naturally on our skin) multiply inside, causing a painful red bump.

Why Extensions Get Blamed

Clients often stop washing their eyes because they are afraid of ruining their eyelash extensions. This fear leads to a buildup of dirt and bacteria at the base of the extensions, creating the perfect environment for a stye.

Key Takeaway: The extensions aren’t the problem; the fear of washing is.

American Academy of Ophthalmology on Styes

Source: AAO Eye Health

---

3. The Real Culprit: Blepharitis and Poor Hygiene

Before a stye appears, there is usually Blepharitis. This is the inflammation of the eyelids, often caused by an overgrowth of bacteria or lash mites (Demodex).

The Dirty Cycle

1. Client gets lashes.
2. Client avoids water/soap near eyes to “protect” retention.
3. Biofilm (bacteria + dead skin) builds up along the lash line.
4. Lash mites feed on the biofilm and multiply.
5. Glands get blocked -> Stye forms.

B2B Strategy: Train your staff to spot the early signs of Blepharitis (white, flaky debris at the base, often called “lash dandruff”). If you see this, you must perform a Lash Bath immediately and educate the client.

Table 1: Stye vs. Blepharitis vs. Reaction

Condition	Symptom	Cause	Action
Stye	Painful red bump	Bacterial infection	Medical Care / Heat
Blepharitis	Itchy, flaky, red rim	Poor hygiene / Mites	Deep Cleanse
Allergy	Puffy, swollen lids (both)	Reaction to Glue	Removal

---

4. Treatment Protocol: What to Do If You Get a Stye

If a client calls saying they have a stye, do not play doctor. However, you can give safe advice regarding their eyelash extensions and styes.

Step 1: Do Not Squeeze

Never pop a stye. It can spread the infection to the rest of the eyelid or even the eye itself.

Step 2: Warm Compresses

Instruct the client to apply a warm, damp cloth to the eye for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times a day.

• Impact on Lashes: The heat might weaken the glue bond (curling straight or falling out), but eye health comes first. Warn them they may need a fill sooner.

Step 3: Stop Makeup

No mascara, no eyeliner. Keep the area sterile.

Step 4: Removal?

• Minor Stye: Usually, you do not need to remove the extensions unless they are directly irritating the bump.
• Major Infection: If the eyelid is very swollen, recommend they see a doctor. The doctor may request removal to treat the lid.

---

5. Prevention Strategy: The “Daily Wash” Mandate

This is the most critical section for your business. Prevention is profitable.

The “Squeaky Clean” Rule

You must drill this into every client: “You MUST wash your lashes daily.”

• The Myth: “Water makes lashes fall out.”
• The Truth: Oil makes lashes fall out. Water and lash cleanser remove the oil. Washing improves retention.

The Tools

Clients cannot use regular face wash (too oily) or baby shampoo (too drying). They need a dedicated Lash Foam Cleanser.

• pH Balanced: Matches human tears (pH 7) so it doesn’t sting.
• Oil-Free: Won’t break down the cyanoacrylate bond.
• Anti-Bacterial: Contains ingredients (like Tea Tree or Chrysanthemum) to fight bacteria.

---

6. The “Refill” Rule: When to Cancel an Appointment

As a professional, you must know when to say “No.”

The “No-Lash” Zone

If a client arrives with an active, weeping, or painful stye:

1. Do NOT apply lashes. You risk spreading the infection to the other eye or contaminating your tools/glue.
2. Reschedule: Politely explain: “For your safety, I cannot apply adhesive near an active infection. Let’s reschedule for next week when it clears up.”
3. Policy: Your cancellation policy should have a “Medical Exception” clause to avoid charging them, which builds goodwill.

Risk Management: Lashing over a stye can trap bacteria and make the infection worse, leading to potential liability.

---

7. Retail Opportunity: Selling Health, Not Just Beauty

Turn the conversation about eyelash extensions and styes into a retail sale.

The “Aftercare Kit” Bundle

Don’t just sell a service; sell a maintenance routine.

• Kit Contents: 1 Foam Cleanser + 1 Soft Cleansing Brush + 1 Mascara Wand.
• Price Point: Wholesale cost $8 -> Retail Price $25.
• Pitch: “To prevent styes and keep your lashes fluffy for 4 weeks, you need this kit. Use it every night in the shower.”

The “Clean Lash” Discount

Offer a $5 discount on their next fill if they bring in their empty cleanser bottle (proof they used it). This incentivizes hygiene.

---

8. Financial Impact: The Cost of Poor Hygiene

Dirty lashes cost you money.

The “Cleaning Time” Drain

If a client comes in with dirty lashes (makeup/crust):

• Time Lost: You spend 15 minutes cleaning instead of lashing.
• Result: Fewer lashes applied = Unhappy client = Bad review.
• Solution: Charge a $15 “Deep Cleaning Fee”. This quickly trains clients to wash their lashes before arriving.

Table 2: Revenue Impact of Proper Hygiene

Scenario	Application Time	Lash Count	Retention	Client Value
Dirty Lashes	45 Mins (15 min cleaning)	60 Lashes/Eye	2 Weeks	Low
Clean Lashes	60 Mins (0 min cleaning)	100 Lashes/Eye	4 Weeks	High

---

9. FAQ: Answering Client Fears

Q1: Can I wear eye makeup if I have extensions?

A: Yes, but it must be extension-safe (oil-free). And you must remove it every night. Sleeping in eyeliner is the #1 cause of styes for lash wearers because it blocks the follicles.

Q2: Will the stye go away on its own?

A: Usually, yes, within 3-7 days. Warm compresses speed this up. If it persists or affects your vision, see a doctor.

Q3: Can I get a fill if I have a stye?

A: No. We cannot work on an active infection. Please reschedule. We will get you in as soon as it heals!

Q4: Is the glue causing the stye?

A: No. Glue does not touch the skin; it bonds to the natural lash 1mm away. Styes are an infection of the skin/gland. However, if your eyes are swollen and itchy without a bump, that might be an allergic reaction, not a stye.

---

10. References & Authoritative Sources

To ensure the credibility of your salon’s advice, this article references data from:

1. American Academy of Ophthalmology:Hordeolum (Stye) and Chalazion.
   • https://www.aao.org/eye-health
2. National Center for Biotechnology Information (PubMed):Eyelid Hygiene and Demodex Mites.
   • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
3. Lash Inc:Sanitation and Safety for Lash Artists.
   • https://www.lashinc.com/

---

Conclusion: Clean Lashes are Happy Lashes

Navigating the issue of eyelash extensions and styes is about education, not fear.

By teaching your clients that clean lashes last longer, you solve two problems at once: you prevent infections, and you improve retention. Partner with LASHMAITRE for the gentle, effective cleansers you need to keep your clients’ eyes healthy and your business thriving.

Wash Daily. Lash Safely. Profit consistently.

[CTA: Shop Our “Antibacterial” Lash Foam] | [CTA: Download the “Lash Hygiene Guide” for Clients]

---