What Is a Keratin Lash Infusion & Is It Better Than a Regular Lash Lift?

A keratin lash infusion is a powerful conditioning and strengthening treatment that saturates your eyelashes with a natural protein. Keratin makes lashes look lustrous and thick. The infusion process involves coating each eyelash with keratin and shaping the lash line.

Keratin is a protein that makes nails grow in humans. Keratin can make hair look more glossy and shiny, depending on the texture and quality of the hair. It also calms down frizzy hair. 

Does keratin make your eyelashes grow?

There is no evidence to suggest that keratin makes lashes grow longer. But, it can certainly make your lashes appear thicker.

Keratin is absorbed in the cuticles of the hairs. Hair is made up of multiple cells that sometimes overlap. Keratin works by smoothing these overlapping cells. 

Keratin lash infusion vs. traditional lash lift 

A lash lift is essentially a perm for your eyelashes. Your eyelashes are curled on a silicone curler pad using perming salts to reshape the lashes.

The end result is bigger-looking eyes with pronounced lashes that curl gently. The one drawback of an eyelash lift is that over-processing your lashes may leave them brittle and prone to breakage.

A keratin lash infusion does not use any perm salts and is free of chemicals like thioglycolic acids and sodium bromate. Instead, it uses an animo acid of keratin called cysteine hcl to slowly reshape your lashes without any high heat. It won’t damage your natural lashes.

Who should get keratin lash infusion?

Keratin lash infusions are safe for most people. 

Always ask your lash tech about the ingredients in the keratin treatment that they use. Occasionally, keratin is mixed with formaldehyde which is considered a carcinogen by the American Cancer Society.

If you have hair that is frizzy or dry in texture, you will love keratin lash treatments. And if you have eyelashes that are thin or weak, keratin will make them look strong and beautiful.

Vegetarians, vegans, and others who want cruelty-free products should not use keratin. It is made from horns, bones, and feathers of animals. 

There is a vegan alternative to keratin is called Karmatin. It uses a synthetic material that mimics the silk in a spider web. So far it has only been used in hair care products.

Check out this amazing before & after! Those lashes look so healthy and naturally lush.

What to do before treatment

When you come in for your treatment, follow these helpful tips for a stress-free keratin infusion:

• Talk to your lash tech about any cornerns you have beforehand
• Come to your appointment with a clean, makeup free face
• Load your phone with your favorite tune or podcats, remember, your eyes will be closed 45-60 minutes
• Wear comfortable cloths and a loose fitting top
• If you wear glasses or contacts, check with your ophthalmologist before having any eye treatments done
• Request a patch test a few days before treatement if you have sensitive skin

What to do after treatment

After your keratin infusion, follow these simples steps for best results:

• Avoid getting your lashes wet for the first 24 hours
• Avoid wearing any makeup for the first 24 hours
• Don’t rub or itch your eyes
• Don’t tint your lashes or use other harsh chemicals
• Avoid using waterproof mascarra

For a full list of do’s and don’t, read “5 Simple Rules of Lash Lift Aftercare.” These same rules apply to lashes that have been treated with a keratin lash infusion.

How long does a keratin lash infusion last?

Keratin is a great option for people who are pressed for time. It will allow you to skip the mascara in the morning. You normally will only have to go into the salon every 4 to 6 weeks.

Does keratin lash lift damage lashes?

Keratin itself will not damage eyelashes. In fact, it helps strengthen them. 

That said, some keratin treatments contain formaldehyde. It’s important to talk to your lash tech before and ask what ingredients are in their keratin infusions.

Any beauty treatment that contains formaldehyde is a hard pass for us here at Beauty Stack.

Takeaways on keratin lash infusion

I found that keratin made my eyelashes smooth and silky. There are vegan alternatives that do the same. It is best to get a keratin treatment that does not contain formaldehyde. 

If you treat your lashes right, they will accentuate your beautiful eyes and make you feel great. Talk to your local beauty shop today to learn if keratin treatments are right for you.