WHAT ARE EYELASH ADHESIVE VAPORS?
A question we see quite often is from lash technicians asking about......a low vapor lash extension adhesive...” and while there may be some general advice on which adhesives for eyelashes will have lower vapor levels, there is no one size fits all answer as almost all adhesives (regardless of brand) will emit vapor, so let's discuss why this happens and why some marketing schemes exist they are just that... schemes.
vapors
The fumes in eyelash extension glues come from cyanoacrylate - this is the main ingredient in every adhesive formula, from superglue to eyelash glues. Cyanoacrylate is responsible for the vast majority of allergic reactions, chemical burns, and the fact that some lash technicians experience a bit of respiratory irritation while applying the lashes, so it makes perfect sense that we'd want to keep fumes to a minimum. However, less vapor means less cyanoacrylate, which means less tack and shorter retention, which in turn means a slower drying adhesive, meaning the vapor actually stays in place for longer - so is less vapor better?
When you then consider that a faster adhesive technically emits more vapor, but that vapor doesn't stick around as long because the adhesive dries faster, all of this can make your head spin a little.
Even when we find an eyelash glue that has the right balance between drying time and vapor emission, a reduction in humidity is enough to increase the drying time and, by extension, how long our glue's vapor stays.
Instead of trying to find an adhesive with lower emissions, what can we do to ensure that adhesive emissions are a less irritating source for you and your customer?
USE A JADE STONE AND NOT AN ADHESIVE RING
While adhesive rings are very convenient when it comes to dipping and placement speed, due to their proximity to both you and your client's lashes, it's that same proximity that leads to irritation for both.
That amount of glue so close to your client's eyes will lead to a greater risk of chemical burn compared to just applying glue to their lashes. Also, the glue is closer to your and their airways, which of course can cause irritation. While you can't really distance yourself from the glue entirely, you can increase that distance by using a jade glue stone instead of a ring. There are lots of other benefits to using a jade stone for your eyelash glue instead of a ring, such as zero waste generation, less glue usage and being more cost effective.
EYELASH TECHNICIANS
If you often feel a little cold, or if your throat is a little dry, itchy, or even your nose is congested while you work, it is very likely that the glue fumes will affect your respiratory tract, so while you work, make sure that you are wearing a face mask - this alone will go a long way with any respiratory irritation while you are working. Another thing you can do is invest in a Glamcor Flow, a revolutionary professional salon ventilation system that will blow away any glue fumes in seconds. Of course, this isn't a magic solution, but it's a huge deterrent to keeping the fumes from hanging around any longer.
customers
If your client fears a chemical burn, there are a few things you can do to make sure you do everything you can to avoid it before it happens.
Chemical burns are due to glue fumes reaching the eyes, but the glue is not always to blame.
- Always check that your client's eyes are completely closed by running a small mirror across their eyes - if you can see anything from the whites of their eyes, it is very likely that they are experiencing a chemical burn. If your client's eyes won't close, try the following:
- Use a small piece of duct tape to keep the eyelid closed if he struggles to keep it closed.
- Be sure not to press too hard on the eye with the isolation tweezers
- Try using foam tape instead of eye bandages if your client struggles to keep their eyes closed, foam tape is thicker than eye bandages and will close the space where your clients can't close their eyes properly. total
- Glue an eyelash to the Eyepatch to keep the eyelids closed
- Advise them not to consume caffeine and/or sugar for at least an hour before treatment to prevent their eyelids from fluttering
After the treatment is finished, you can use our incredible Supberbonder Sealant, which cures the adhesive and seals any remaining vapor immediately after use. Superbonder is the perfect product to finish off your treatment as it will also add elasticity and flexibility to the adhesive bonds for longer retention time.
In short, there are so many factors that affect the amount of vapor that glue gives off that it's much better to simply choose the glue that's best for you in terms of drying time and usability, and adjust the way you work a little to prevent any irritation from the fumes.