Can I get lash extensions if I have a Stye, a Comedone, or a Chalazion on my eye?

It's generally not advisable to get lash extensions if you have a Stye, Comedone, or Chalazion on your eye due to the potential risk of irritation or infection but there may be in some cases some exceptions. Read on to learn what a Stye, Comedone, or Chalazion is; how you can tell the difference between them; and whether or not you should apply lash extensions should you have one.

What is a Stye on my eye?

• Cause: A bacterial infection (often by Staphylococcus) in an oil gland or hair follicle at the edge of the eyelid.

• Appearance: A red, swollen, painful lump resembling a pimple or boil. Often has a yellow or white head of pus.

• Location: Forms at the edge of the eyelid near an eyelash (external stye) or inside the eyelid (internal stye).

• Pain: Tender to the touch, painful, especially when blinking.

• Other symptoms: Tearing, swelling of the eyelid, light sensitivity, and sometimes the sensation of a foreign object in the eye.

• Progression: May burst and drain pus, relieving pain. Often resolves within a few days.

What is a Comedone on my eye?

• Cause: A blocked pore caused by excess oil, dead skin cells, and debris.

• Appearance: A small, non-inflamed bump. A whitehead appears as a small white bump, and a blackhead has a darker surface due to oxidized oil.

• Location: Can occur around the eye area, often on the eyelid or near the bridge of the nose.

• Pain: Usually painless unless it becomes infected.

• Other symptoms: Generally no other symptoms unless infection occurs.

• Progression: May persist for some time but typically doesn’t cause significant swelling or discomfort unless infected.

What is a Chalazion on my eye?

• Cause: A blocked oil gland (meibomian gland) in the eyelid, which is not typically caused by infection.

• Appearance: A firm, round lump under the skin of the eyelid. The skin over the chalazion may be slightly red, but there is no pus or whitehead.

• Location: Can occur inside the upper or lower eyelid but typically away from the lash line.

• Pain: Generally painless, though it may become tender if it enlarges.

• Other symptoms: Swelling of the eyelid, and if large, it may press on the eye and cause blurry vision.

• Progression: It can grow slowly over days or weeks and may resolve on its own over time, though some cases may persist or harden.

How to Tell the Difference between a Stye, a Comedone and a Chalazion?

Pain

• Stye is painful and tender.

• Comedone is painless unless infected.

• Chalazion is usually painless, though it can become tender if it grows large.

Appearance

• Stye has a red, swollen appearance with a pus-filled head.

• Comedone is a small bump, which may be white or black at the surface.

• Chalazion is a firm lump under the skin, without a visible whitehead or pus.

Location

• Stye typically occurs near the edge of the eyelid or eyelash.

• Comedone can appear around the eye or on the skin near the eye.

• Chalazion forms farther back on the eyelid, away from the lash line.

Can I get lash extensions if I have a Stye on my eye?

A stye is an active bacterial infection of an eyelash follicle or oil gland. Getting lash extensions while you have a stye can increase the risk of spreading the infection, causing further irritation, or aggravating the condition. We recommend holding off any lash extension refills or full set until your stye has gone away and to be safe, ideally have a period of 72 hours completely clear of swelling and irritation before returning to us. Styes usually go away on their own within a few days. If you notice it’s been 48 hours and you’re still struggling or it doesn’t seem to be getting better, it’s time to call a doctor. In some cases, you may need treatment with antibiotics to help it go away. 

Can I get lash extensions if I have a Comedone on my eye?

While a comedone around the eye isn’t an infection, applying lash extensions may irritate the area, especially if it's close to the eyelid or if pressure is applied during the procedure. This could make the blocked pore worse or lead to infection. If the comedone is small and not in the lash line, it might not pose as much risk, but it’s still best to consult with a professional lash stylist. They may feel it would be OK to proceed as long as the you understand the risks involved, or they may advise clearing the comedone before the procedure.

Can I get lash extensions if I have a Chalazion on my eye?

A chalazion is a blocked oil gland and can cause swelling and tenderness on the eyelid. Getting lash extensions may put unnecessary pressure on the eyelid and worsen the condition. It may not pose as much risk as a stye or comedone depending on the size and tenderness of the swelling however. It’s still best to consult with a professional lash stylist should you have a chalazion on your eye though. Based on an examination and confirmation of little to no tenderness and swelling, your stylist may feel it would be OK to proceed as long as the you understand the risks involved. If there is swelling and tenderness however, they may advise clearing the chalazion before the procedure. It should also be noted that even if the chalazion is small and not overly tender, many stylists still may err on the side of caution and not offer to provide you a service.

It is also important to note that should you continue to receive lash extensions, it could prolong the healing process or even lead to infection. If the chalazion is of a sufficient size and there is enough tenderness to cause concerns, we recommend waiting until the chalazion has resolved. For treatment, warm compresses and gentle massage may help reduce the size of the chalazion over time.