From time to time, we are queried on why we ask certain questions on our consultation form. We are aware that some salons do not carry out any kind of consultation/medical questionnaire whatsoever for lash and brow treatments, therefore we thought we would take the time to explain why we ask each question/the importance of each here.
Consultation is a very important part of the process to ensure that the treatment is safe for you, and so that we can make any modifications necessary to ensure that you have a comfortable and seamless experience – and ensure the treatment we are giving you is going to give you the best possible results.
Below is a list of all the general questions that we ask on our current consultation form, and a little bit of background as to why we ask them. Some pertain only to eyelash extensions, whilst others more relevant to eyebrows (tinting, henna, waxing) lash lifts, or other services that we offer. We ask all, regardless of what service you are having done initially – because we find that the vast majority of our lash clients eventually become brow clients with us, and vice versa.
The information below does not constitute, nor is it a substitute for professional medical advice.
Allergies: this is an obvious one, but we always want to make sure that we are not going to be using anything in your treatment that you have previously had a reaction to. We specifically seek out products which are low ingredient, fragrance-free and manufactured in Australia (or other countries with similar safety standards) wherever it’s possible, to minimise reactions. However, there are some cases where a product may have an ingredient you are allergic or sensitive to, so we need to be aware of that.
Allergies to eyelash extensions: although the above covers this, we ask it again because it is important that if you have ever had an allergy to eyelash extensions that you do not attempt the treatment again, unless you are having a patch test. Even then, it is highly likely that you will react in some way (even if not reacting to a patch test) because all eyelash extension adhesives contain very similar ingredients, and if you have had a reaction one time, then the chances are that you will continue to react due to repeat exposure. We highly recommend that you don’t proceed with this treatment if you have had an allergic reaction to lash extensions before, as they can become worse each time. We cannot medically diagnose whether you have had a reaction in the past, but typically we have observed it to be characterised by swelling, itching and puffiness of the upper eyelids, normally within the first 24 hours of application. We recommend professional/medical allergy testing if you are wishing to have this confirmed. Please note that an allergic reaction to lash adhesives can occur at any time and is actually more common after several applications than after the initial application.
Contraindicated treatments: Eyelash extensions
Allergies to tint, dye, henna, PPD or grass: this is another we double check, because if you have had a reaction to any of these things before, then, you should not proceed with eyebrow, eyelash, tinting, henna or hybrid brows without first having a patch test (at least 48 hours prior). Those who are allergic to grass are more likely to react to henna, because it is formulated from a type of grass.
Contraindicated treatment: Tints (including those used in lash lift), henna, brow lamination.
Allergies to lash lift/brow lamination: Same as above in that we would not recommend going ahead with this treatment if you have ever had an allergic or suspected allergic reaction to it, or if choosing to, having a patch test at least 48 hours prior to the treatment.
Contraindicated treatment: Lash lift, tint, brow lamination (patch test highly recommended also)
Epilepsy: In many of our treatments, we use bright lights that are sometimes switched on and off/moved – and if we are aware that you are epileptic, we will be avoiding turning these on and off as much as possible and taking general precautions to make sure that you are comfortable, and we are not doing anything likely to trigger a seizure. We want to be aware if you have this condition, so that we know what to do to assist you in the unlikely scenario that something happens.
Contraindicated treatment: LED lashes due to unavoidable flashing lights (however, regular method of eyelash extensions can be used)
Low blood pressure: For some people, this condition can cause dizziness after laying down for a period. We ask this question to ensure that special care is taken at the end of the treatment when you are getting up, particularly after a longer appointment.
Recent surgery to face/neck/eyes: We ask this to ensure that you are always comfortable, and if any treatment modifications need to be made (for example if you need extra cushioning behind your neck) then we can do so. There are certain surgeries such as rhinoplasty where areas of the face can be highly sensitive for several weeks afterwards, so we just want to make sure that we are keeping you comfortable and not applying pressure to any area we shouldn’t. For some surgeries such as blepharoplasty, there will be a period in which you cannot have specific eye treatments done, however this will be at the discretion of your medical professional to determine.
Injectables in brow/forehead: Most cosmetic physicians will give you warnings regarding what you can and can’t do directly after injectables, and laying down in the first few hours is normally one of these precautions. We would want to avoid eyebrow treatments in the week or so after this treatment, because we want to avoid applying pressure to or stretching the area that has been treated. It’s always recommended to check with your cosmetic physician regarding after-care for injectable treatments, as we are unable to give individual advice on this.
Undergoing treatment for cancer: types of cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy can thin out lashes and brows quite dramatically so treatment such as eyelash, extensions and lash lift may not be recommended at this time. Both eyelash extensions and lash lifts require reasonably healthy eyelashes to work with, so if your own lashes have been affected by chemotherapy, it may be best to delay this type of cosmetic treatment. When natural lashes are re-growing after chemotherapy, very lightweight extensions can be applied, but extreme care needs to be taken and a full set may not initially be possible. For waxing and tinting, the skin can sometimes be affected and made more fragile, so it will be important to let us know if your medication is giving these effects so we can take special care and modify a treatment when possible. (For cosmetic tattoo, your Dr’s approval to undergo this treatment is required, to ensure that it does not impact your medical treatment or safety)
Contraindicated treatment: Cosmetic tattoo, possibly other treatments if lashes/brows are affected.
Currently pregnant: We ask this to ensure that we can keep you as comfortable as possible during the treatment. If you are quite far along, laying on your back can be uncomfortable, so we will give you cushions and make modifications so you are able to lay more to one side, and will assist you in getting up if you need to stretch or take a bathroom break during the treatment. Please note that cosmetic tattoo treatments cannot be undertaken whilst pregnant.
Post-Partum: Hair shedding (telogen effluvium) is a type of hair loss experienced by many women post-partum and for some people it will affect the eyelashes and eyebrows too – so if your lashes appear to be falling out more quickly during this period, or your brows a little patchy/not as full, there is generally no reason for concern. We will monitor their growth more closely during this time/sometimes make minor adjustments to treatments or recommend products to promote good lash and brow health.
Hayfever or seasonal allergies: We ask this because if you are prone to itchy eyes and swollen eyelids due to severe hay fever, eyelash extensions may get more wear and tear from rubbing and may not be the most comfortable to wear. For most individuals, well-controlled seasonal allergies pose no problem and eyelash extensions can still be worn (and other treatments completed with no issues).
Thyroid condition: We ask this question because for some individuals, thyroid conditions can cause thinning of the eyelashes and eyebrows, and lashes to become more brittle. Extra care will need to be taken to ensure that the lashes are treated very gently, and longer/thicker extensions are best avoided. If lashes have thinned out excessively due to this condition, lash lifting is generally not recommended as the results will not be optimum. Some thyroid medications can also affect the lashes and brows.
Treatments contraindicated: None, however results from lash lift may be sub-optimal.
Oily skin/hair: For those with excess oil levels in the skin and hair, eyelash extensions may not last as well as expected. Although we can usually ascertain this from a visual assessment, we ask this question so that we can best advise you on how to optimise retention from your lashes (aftercare). It will be even more important to use a lash-specific cleansing foam to wash your lashes daily, to remove build-up of skin oil/sebum on the bases – as this can affect the longevity of extensions (if they are kept cleaner, they will last longer!). We will follow specific priming processes during the application process to ensure that the eyelash extensions and natural lashes bond effectively.
Using oily products: Using oily products on the eyelids or eyelashes or surrounding area, especially if prior to eyelash extension application, can make it hard to get a good bond, as hair follicles may repel the adhesive. If you have done so, we will modify our preparation process slightly and may use different ingredients to prepare your lashes. It is best to avoid oily products ongoing if wearing lash extensions, as this will improve retention.
Perimenopausal: We ask this question because fluctuating hormone levels in this period can cause the skin and/or hair to be a lot dryer, or a lot more oily than normal. Very oily skin and hair can cause extensions to not retain as well, so special care to wash your lashes daily with foaming cleanser to remove oil/sebum build-up will be important. Very dry skin can cause redness and irritation when waxing, so extra caution will be taken.
Treatments contraindicated: None, however if skin has become extremely dry in the brow area, then waxing is best avoided.
Taking thyroid medication: Some thyroid medications can affect the eyelashes and eyebrows, and it can be hard to predict the results of a lash lift when an individual is taking thyroid medication. Some thyroid medications can cause eyelash loss in the initial stages.
Treatments contraindicated: None, however results from lash lift may be sub-optimal.
Eye issues: If you experience eye issues, you should check with your ophthalmologist before having any cosmetic treatment to the eyes such as eyelash, extensions or lash lifting/tinting. We ask question to ensure that there is nothing going on with your eyes at present that could be aggravated by a treatment.
Treatments contraindicated: Where there is current irritation or inflammation to the eyes (i.e., conjunctivitis, stye) treatments such as lash lift or lash extensions should not be done, as they may aggravate the condition.
Laser eye surgery in the past 6 weeks: during this period, your eyes are still healing and may be easily irritated, and in most cases, a doctor will not give clearance for eye treatments until 6-weeks post-surgery. We are unable to carry out treatment before this point, unless your Dr. has provided a letter giving specific clearance.
Treatments contraindicated: Lash extensions, lash lift and/or lash tint, eyeliner tattoo cannot be completed until your Dr. has given clearance for the treatment to proceed.
Sensitive eyes: We treat everyone as though they have sensitive eyes and use gentle, careful techniques. However, we ask this question because if your eyes are particularly sensitive, we will check in with you more during the treatment to ensure your comfort. For those with eyes that water reflexively (i.e., those who cannot have eye makeup applied due to extreme watering tendencies) lash lifts can sometimes pose a challenge – however we will always try to work around this! LED lashes can be a better option for those who are extremely sensitive to eyelash adhesive fumes.
Prone to styes: If you are prone to styes, it will be especially important to keep your eyelash extensions clean, by washing them daily with a lash-specific foam cleanser, and never sleeping in eye makeup. We ask this question because we will want to reiterate the importance of lid hygiene to help prevent styes.
Treatments contraindicated: None (unless there is an active/unhealed stye on the eye – in which case lash extensions/lash lift and or lash tint/eyeliner tattoo cannot be complete until stye has resolved)
Eczema on eyelids/eyebrow area or blepharitis: Blepharitis is a common chronic condition yet can be controlled. It is normally characterised by irritated eyelids and dry flaking skin on the lash line. We ask this question because eyelash extensions can exacerbate the condition if good eyelid hygiene (proper daily cleansing) is not adhered to, and it is unadvisable to apply lash extensions if you are having an active flare up of the condition. We recommend seeking the advice of your medical professional if you are unsure. For eyebrows, active eczema in the area can sometimes mean that we cannot complete the treatment at the time.
Treatments contraindicated: If eczema/dry skin is on eyebrows, henna and brow lamination cannot be done, and tint may be unadvisable due to patchy results.
Eyes prone to dryness: If you are prone to dry eyes, in some cases the eyelash extension application can make them feel a little drier – this is because eyelash adhesives draw moisture from the direct surrounding air to cure. Though our adhesives are very low fume, if we know that you have dry and/or sensitive eyes, we will take even more steps to ensure that the experience is comfortable for you and may make slightly modifications to our preparation or application techniques.
Hard contact lenses: We ask this question because it is important to remove hard contact lenses before treatments such as eyelash extensions and lash lifts, as it can cause discomfort to wear them during the treatment.
Trichotillomania or alopecia: Trichotillomania is the compulsion to pull out one’s own eyelashes and/or eyebrows. Where this condition is present and not managed, eyelash extensions are not advisable, as they can worsen the compulsion to pull (which over time can cause extensive damage to the lash follicles). For alopecia, where there are no or very few eyelash hairs, we cannot generally apply lash extensions, as they are adhered to the hair and not the skin. Most eyebrow treatments can be done; however, results may be sub-optimal if you are pulling at brow hair regularly.
(Cosmetic tattoo can be done and is highly effective for most sufferers of alopecia)
Treatments contraindicated: Depending on severity, eyelash extensions may not be able to be applied.
Any prior issue with redness/reaction with eyelash extensions/lash lifts: we ask this question so that we can make any modifications required to ensure that your treatment is as comfortable as possible, and you do not experience these issues if they are avoidable. For example, eye redness due to eyelids being taped up excessively or talking/opening your eyes during an appointment can generally be managed very well and avoided in most cases. Some individuals can be very sensitive to the under-eye patches, and we will take steps to ensure that they do not irritate you if we are aware of this.
Roaccutane/Isotretinoin or other acne medication in previous 12 months – EXTREME CAUTION: These types of medications affect the skin barrier dramatically and leave the skin dry, thin and highly susceptible to irritation, burns and tears. They can change hair structure, leaving the hair, more porous and susceptible to drying out/unexpected lash lift results. We cannot do waxing on any part of the face or body within a minimum of 6 months of this treatment being ceased, however 12 is ideal. Lash lifts can sometimes turn our over-curled, as it is not possibly to know the hair quality during this time (so whilst they can be done, it is at one’s own risk).
Treatments contraindicated: WAXING cannot be done within a minimum of 6 months of ceasing these medications in all cases and is ideal if skin is still sensitive or dry. Lash lift and brow lamination is unadvisable within 6 months.
Retinol/RetinA or other strong skin renewal cream in past 4 weeks – EXTREME CAUTION: Any retinol/vitamin A based skincare has the potential to thin and dry the skin, making it fragile highly susceptible to wax burns or tears – even if the individual has had this treatment done previously with no issues. We would recommend that you avoid waxing at this time – if you are using retinol in any form in the brow area (past 4 weeks), we cannot guarantee the safety of waxing treatments.
Treatments contraindicated: WAXING and brow lamination not recommended, or treatment modifications may need to be made.
Use of AHA/BHA/acid peels/laser/fraxel/skin needing/Cosmelan etc in brow area in past 4 weeks: All of these treatments (and any invasive skin treatment) compromise the skin barrier for a period of time and can make the skin more fragile and susceptible to wax burns or tears, or prone to irritation from other chemicals used in treatments.
Treatments contraindicated: WAXING, tinting, henna and brow lamination are not recommended at this time, or treatment modifications may need to be made.
Using any medication known to affect the skin or hair: We are not medical professionals, therefore do not have knowledge of the full range of medications affecting skin and hair and their idiosyncratic reactions. Please disclose any medication you are on that to your knowledge affects skin or hair, and we can ask you to make enquiries with your medical professional if there is any uncertainty as to whether a treatment is safe for you. Please note that whilst all care is taken, it is your sole responsibility to seek medical advice relating to your conditions or medications and suitability with treatments you are having.
LED Lashes – for additional safety information on LED lashes and the Aura Beamlight system/consultation process, please see: https://au.beamlight-lashes.com/certificates/
The information on this page is presented by Lady Lash Australia as a general information guide on our treatments and typical contraindications for each, for the benefit of our clients and prospective clients. It does not claim to cover the entire range of idiosyncratic and/or rare interactions between treatments and conditions/medications. While we have exercised due care in ensuring the accuracy of the material contained herein, the information on the site is made available on the basis that Lady Lash Australia is not providing professional medical advice on a particular matter.
This website is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice. Nothing contained in this site is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional’s advice.
Lady Lash Australia does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.