Can I Sleep With Fake Eyelashes On?

So you just got in from a big night out. You are tired, want to go to sleep, and you don’t really care about taking your fake lashes off.

Well, stop right there! It might not seem like a big deal, but sleeping in your fake lashes is a big no-no in the fashion world. False eyelashes are a great way to get that long luscious look but sleeping in your lashes is a surefire way to damage your lashes. Not only that but sleeping in fake lashes makes your natural lashes less effective at protecting your eyes.

Can I Sleep With Fake Eyelashes On?

Besides, even the most comfortable fake lashes are not designed to be worn for long periods of time, so if you do fall asleep in them, they will likely fall off before the morning and won’t look very good when you wake up in the morning. Sleeping in your lashes one night certainly won’t kill you but it’s definitely not a good habit to get into.

Also, repeatedly sleeping in your eyelashes can cause irritation and infection. Sleeping in false lashes can pull on your natural lashes which irritates your hair follicles. The result is pain, redness, and swelling on your lids.

In fact, sleeping in your fake lashes a lot can pull your natural lashes out of their follicles causing hair loss. This condition even has a name—traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is hair loss that occurs from putting pressure and stress on the base of individual hairs and hair follicles. Turning and moving your head while sleeping pulls on the fakes, which pulls on the natural lashes.

Sleeping in your fake lashes can also invite a much more unwelcome guest: germs and bacteria. Sleeping in your lashes for the long term can irritate your hair follicles, which can become clogged with dust, dirt, grime, and bacteria. Eye infections can cause things like pink eye and conjunctivitis, and in serious cases can cause permanent retinal and corneal damage. Again, sleeping in your lashes once in a while won’t be dangerous but can be bad if you keep doing it.

In addition, sleeping in fake eyelashes can cause allergic reactions. A lot of materials in eyelash adhesive are fine in small amounts but can cause irritation over prolonged exposure. For example, a lot of glues contain formaldehyde which can cause skin irritation and redness if left on the eyelids. Instead of leaving these substances on, you should remove them before going to sleep.

Lastly, sleeping with your lashes on can suffocate your natural lashes. Natural lashes won’t have a chance to breathe so they can lose their luster and become brittle.

How to Sleep With Lashes?

If you absolutely must sleep with your lashes on, then there are a few things you can do to minimize any negative consequences.

• Sleep on soft bed fabrics. Thick scratchy things like cotton and wool can scratch and pull at your lashes, causing irritation. Soft materials like silk are much smoother on the skin and eyes. For example, using a silk pillowcase can minimize issues while sleeping in fake lashes.
• Sleep on your back. If you like to sleep on your side or tummy, then it is a lot easier to nudge and move your lashes while sleeping. Instead, sleep on your back and try to minimize your head movement. If you really can’t sleep on your back, then you should take your fake lashes off first.
• Sleep masks are a good way to keep your lashes in place and prevent any dragging on your face.

While you certainly can sleep with your lashes on, most experts would recommend taking them off before going to bed.