EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS
“Knowing what to do for an eye emergency can save valuable time
and possibly prevent vision loss.”
– Prevent Blindness.org
If you apply lash extensions long enough, some or all of these scenarios will occur. Being prepared ahead of time and knowing what to do in case of an emergency is key to the best outcome. Always make sure you have an MSDS sheet on-site for any liquid/cream/gel product you are using. Request this from the manufacturer.
EMERGENCY SCENARIO #1:
GLUE DROPPED ON CLIENT’S FACE OR HAIR
PREVENTION:
- Only apply eyelash extensions if you have been properly trained.
- Always remove your glue ring before drying, misting, or applying new lashes to your hand or tray.
- Only keep glue ring on while applying lashes.
- This typically occurs when the lash artist is careless in her/his hand movements and glue spills out of the ring onto the client’s face or hair.
WHAT TO DO IF THIS OCCURS:
- Stay calm and move swiftly.
- Tell the client that you accidentally dropped a tiny bit of glue onto their face or hair and you are going to remove it.
- Using your cream remover (not gel), apply to the area where the glue has dripped onto the skin or hair. Let it sit for 3-6 minutes and remove. Glue should wipe off. If it doesn’t, re-apply and remove again.
- Using your lash cleanser on a cotton round, clean the area.
- If there is a red spot on the skin, tell the client and let them know it should subside within a few days. If it doesn’t, they may want to consult a doctor as this is a chemical burn.
EMERGENCY SCENARIO #2:
GLUE DROPPED IN CLIENT’S EYES
PREVENTION:
- Only apply eyelash extensions if you have been properly trained.
- Always remove your glue ring before drying, misting, or applying new lashes to your hand or tray.
- Only keep glue ring on while applying lashes.
- This typically occurs when the lash artist is careless in her/his hand movements and glue spills out of the ring onto the client’s face or hair.
- Make sure your client’s eyes are always comfortably closed.
WHAT TO DO IF THIS OCCURS:
- Immediately flush the eye with water or saline. Hold the eye under a faucet, shower or pour water into the eye using a clean container. Keep the eye open as wide as possible during flushing. Flush the eye for at least 15 minutes.
- If a contact lens is in the eye, flush the eye with the lens in. Flushing may wash the lens out – this is okay.
- DO NOT bandage the eye.
- Seek emergency medical care promptly after flushing.
EMERGENCY SCENARIO #3:
SPECK OF GLUE, MASCARA, OR OTHER FOREIGN SUBSTANCE IN THE EYE
PREVENTION:
- After cleaning the lashes, rinse with saline to flush out anything you loosened-up.
WHAT TO DO IF THIS OCCURS:
- DO NOT rub the eye.
- Try to let tears wash the particle out or flush the eye with clean water, sterile eyewash, or contact lens solution.
- Try lifting upper eyelid outward. Look down over the lower lid.
- DO NOT use tweezers or any other item to try to remove the particle.
- If the particle doesn’t wash out, see an eye doctor immediately.
EMERGENCY SCENARIO #4:
WITCH HAZEL OR PRIMER GOT IN CLIENT’S EYES
PREVENTION:
- Do not use protein remover or lash primer as there are ingredients that could cause a chemical burn to the eye.
- Only use witch hazel as a primer to remove excess oil.
- When applying the witch hazel with a microfiber wand, dab on a paper towel to remove any excess before swiping on lashes.
WHAT TO DO IF THIS OCCURS:
- Turn the client’s head to one side and flush the eye with saline solution or water (use a tissue to catch the excess water).
- Continue flushing until burning sensation subsides.
- Wipe off excess saline from the eyes.
Quiz Yourself
Answer the questions below and then check your answers by clicking the down arrow next to it. Just a reminder…there is a final exam at the end of this course and in order to receive your certificate, you will need to pass it. Re-read the information above if you didn’t pass the quiz below.
Stay calm and move swiftly.
Tell the client that you accidentally dropped a tiny bit of glue onto their face or hair and you are going to remove it.
Using your cream remover (not gel), apply to the area where the glue has dripped onto the skin or hair. Let it sit for 3-6 minutes and remove. Glue should wipe off. If it doesn’t, re-apply and remove again.
Using your lash cleanser on a cotton round, clean the area.
If there is a red spot on the skin, tell the client and let them know it should subside within a few days. If it doesn’t, they may want to consult a doctor as this is a chemical burn.