Why We Don’t Offer Eyelash Extensions — And What No One Tells You About Long-Term Lash Damage

By Ira Bale

Founder, Ira Bale Brows – South Yarra & Toorak Village, Melbourne

Let’s get this out of the way: We don’t do eyelash extensions.We never have. We never will.

Not because we don’t know how. Not because there isn’t demand. But because as lash professionals who care deeply about long-term beauty, we’ve seen the damage — and we won’t put our name on it.

This post is not a polite side-by-side comparison between lash lifts and extensions.This is the truth you don’t hear when booking your refill.

Stunning results from a lash lift and tint by the Ira Bale Brows team in Toorak Village, showcasing enhanced length and volume.

First — What Are Eyelash Extensions, Really?

Eyelash extensions are synthetic or semi-synthetic fibres glued to your natural lashes. They can look amazing, especially in the first 24–48 hours. Full, dark, curled lashes that don’t need mascara.

But what happens over time — over months of refills, exposure to humidity, sleeping face-down, and rubbing your eyes without thinking — tells a very different story.

The Dark Side of Extensions (That Nobody Talks About)

At Ira Bale Brows, we’ve seen clients come in after years of extensions with:

• Sparse, broken natural lashes

• Inflamed lash lines (contact dermatitis from glue)

• Bald patches where natural lashes gave up and stopped growing

• Premature lash ageing — thinner, weaker regrowth

• Allergic reactions from continued glue exposure

• Tension alopecia — literally, hair loss from weight and pulling

A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Trichology linked long-term lash extension use to a condition called traction alopecia, where chronic pulling weakens the follicle so much, the hair never grows back [1].

Yes — your lashes can stop growing permanently.

The Cost of Constant Maintenance

To maintain extensions, most clients:

• Book infills every 2–3 weeks

• Spend $100–200 per visit

• Avoid oil-based skincare and makeup

• Sleep carefully to protect lashes

• Feel “naked” when they fall out

This creates a dependency loop — the more you use them, the more you need them.

We’ve had clients say, “I don’t even know what my real lashes look like anymore.”That’s not enhancement. That’s addiction.

Why We Offer Lash Lifts Instead — and Why They Work

Lash lifts use a keratin-based treatment to gently curl and set your natural lashes. No glue. No weight. No foreign fibres.The result?

• Curled, lifted lashes that last 6–8 weeks

• Safe for sensitive eyes

• Strengthens instead of weakens

• Minimal upkeep

• Easy to wear with or without mascara

When paired with a Lash Tint, the effect is natural but striking. Ideal for gym-goers, swimmers, early risers — anyone who wants to wake up looking awake.

Client Story: Dani, 29

Dani had been wearing extensions for 4 years straight. She came to our South Yarra salon for a brow tint and hesitated when we complimented her lashes.

“They’re not mine,” she admitted. “And they’re starting to hurt.”

We gently removed the extensions and showed her what was left: weak, brittle lashes that barely reached the lid crease. She cried.

Over the next 3 months, we started her on a keratin Lash Lift + Tint every 8 weeks and added a nourishing lash serum between visits. The regrowth was slow, but by her third lift, she smiled and said:

“These are mine. And they look better than the extensions ever did.”

But What If I Just Get Extensions Once?

Here’s the truth: Even one round of badly applied or poorly maintained extensions can cause breakage. And if you’re prone to rubbing your eyes, allergic to adhesives, or use lash growth serums, the risks are even higher.

We’re not saying every extension tech is reckless. We’re saying the procedure, by its nature, is high-risk.

Lash lifts work with your biology, not against it. Extensions fight your natural growth cycle — and eventually, they win.

Ira Bale Brows: Built on Lash Health, Not Hype

We could make more money offering extensions.But we built our reputation on high-integrity beauty — beauty that lasts, that preserves, that respects the face and its future.

We don’t offer extensions because they contradict everything we believe in:

• Sustainable beauty

• Low-maintenance routines

• Time-saving treatments that improve your features, not override them

We’re proud to be one of the few salons in Melbourne that says no to extensions. And our clients? They’re proud of their natural lashes — because they still have them.

Final Word

Extensions are a quick fix. Lash Lifts are a long-term solution.

If you care about lash health, time freedom, and still want to look amazing at 7am without makeup, it’s time to break up with your infill schedule.

Choose the service that works with your lashes, not against them.

Book your Lash Lift + Tint at Ira Bale Brows in South Yarra or Toorak Village. Your future lashes will thank you.

References

1. Ryu, H. J., et al. (2013). “A Case of Traction Alopecia Caused by Eyelash Extensions.” International Journal of Trichology

2. American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2020). “Eyelash Extensions: What You Need to Know”

3. Draelos, Z. D. (2008). “Adverse Reactions to Eyelash Extensions.” Dermatologic Clinics