Beauty experts issue horrifying warnings about dangers of not cleaning your EYELASH extensions - revealing lack of proper care can cause scabs, swelling, and even lead to MITES growing in the fake hairs

Eyelash extensions are all the rage, but there are certain dangers attached to the beauty trend. 

Luckily, many of the issues are avoidable - if you know exactly how to clean your lash extensions. 

However, it turns out there are many who are unaware of the care and attention that must be paid to the eye accessories, sparking a surge in the number of women who are discovering that their extensions have become riddled with mites. 

A quick search under the #lashmites hashtag on TikTok reveals hundreds of posts, highlighting people who slept in their mascara and woke up with a condition known as blepharitis, which can cause everything from swollen eyelids and scabs to the appearance of tiny mites. 

To find out what causes these critters, which are similar to head lice but much smaller, and how to avoid them completely, FEMAIL spoke to the experts. 

The lashmites hashtag on TikTok has amassed hundreds of posts, highlighting people who got mites after not properly cleansing their extensions (stock image)

So, how do you know if you have an overgrowth of lash mites? Symptoms can include crusty lids, eye irritation, itchiness, and redness

Often, people will try to avoid washing their lashes after getting extensions in a bid to keep them on for longer - but that's the wrong approach, and could lead to damage. 

In fact, there are specific lash shampoos created just for extensions, meant to prevent mites and keep the natural lashes healthy. 

It's also possible to get lash mites without extensions, especially if you're not keeping your eyes clean or if you're using old or expired makeup products and not removing them at the end of the day. 

It's not the extensions themselves that cause the mites, it's failure to clean them in the correct way.

So, how do you know if you have an overgrowth of lash mites? Symptoms can include crusty lids, eye irritation, itchiness, and redness. 

Optometrist Dr. Jen Wademan, O.D., based in Folsom, California, has shared videos about avoiding mites as a 'friendly reminder to keep those lids and lashes CLEAN.' 

The social media savvy optometrist even made a video about the mites with the caption, 'Just in case you forgot about the little eyelid mites that like to hang out near our lids and lashes… because I didn't.'  

'P.S Almost everyone has these mites (called demodex), they live rent free and often times don't cause any problems,' she continued.

Optometrist Dr. Jen Wademan , O.D., based in Folsom, California, has shared videos about avoiding mites and told DailyMail.com the best way to avoid blepharitis 

Dr. Jen told DailyMail.com, 'As with any lash enhancement, I would proceed with caution, especially if you have a history of blepharitis, dry eye, or red eyes,' as extensions could exacerbate these conditions. 

'Lash extensions come with some risks like infection or allergic reaction,' Dr. Jen advised. 

'One thing that most people don't know is that there is actually an ideal length of lashes in order to avoid dry eye symptoms. 

'A study determined that if your lashes are too long, air may enter your eyes more easily, causing dehydration of the ocular surface.' 

Dr. Jen said 'it's a great idea to take a break every once in a while,' even though she knows 'it's hard for most lash extension enthusiasts to do so,' especially since it's less expensive to consistently get lash fill-ins, as opposed to whole new sets of lashes, which can cost around $200. 

Luckily, she says there is a way to keep lash extensions clean and your eyes safe. 

'When they initially became popular, there was a lot of talk about not washing them in order to be able to extend the life of the lash extension. Thankfully this habit is going by the wayside,' Dr. Jen approved. 

LLBA Professional is a beauty supply company based in Canada that specializes in eyelash extensions and tools, which includes cleansing products

Quinn Do, LLBA's service and training manager, told FEMAIL it's easy to prevent mite infestations if you clean your lashes and use products like sealant (above) 

Quinn advises removing all makeup at the end of the day with micellar water or oil-free makeup remover as well as brushing through lash extensions

LLBA Professional is a beauty supply company based in Canada that specializes in eyelash extensions and tools, which includes cleansing products. 

Quinn Do, LLBA's service and training manager, told FEMAIL it's easy to prevent mite infestations if you're cleaning your lashes between appointments. 

'It's important to note that eyelash extensions themselves do not cause mites, rather, poor hygiene facilitates their presence,' Quinn warned. 

'Mites thrive on the sebum produced by lash and hair follicles, as well as the buildup of bacteria, makeup residues, dead skin, and oils,' Quinn continued.

The lash expert explained the buildup provides a 'buffet' food source for them, which can lead to infestation. 

Quinn advises removing all makeup at the end of the day with micellar water or oil-free makeup remover, by putting the solution on a cotton pad and letting it soak on the eyes. 

Quinn also said people should use a Q-tip to guarantee 'thorough removal of eyeshadow or eyeliner along the lash line.'

For those with extensions, the most important aspect is washing your extensions with a lash foam bath everyday - LLBA makes one that washes away dead cells and stops bacterial growth. 

To use the bath, you simply wet the cleansing brush, add the foam, and gently brush the extensions, before rinsing with cool water. 

LLBA also offers a bladeless fan to completely dry the lashes after applying the foam, as well as a sealant, which protects against dust, oils, and products that break down lash adhesive.

Lashify is a celebrity-beloved brand that makes DIY lash extensions that are easy to remove at home, making them a hit with stars like Emma Stone, Jennifer Coolidge, Ayo Edebiri, and more

Lash artist Ashleigh Anderson, based in Boca Raton, Florida, always tells clients to make sure to shampoo their lashes in between appointments to avoid mites. 

'While lash extensions don't cause lash mites, they may be present with poor hygiene,' the expert warned. 'Cleaning your lashes at least once daily with a quality lash shampoo is the best way to keep these little critters at bay.'

Ashleigh suggests using a foam lash shampoo and long, bristled eyeshadow brush, which she uses to clean her own extensions. 

'I pump a good amount of foamy shampoo onto my eyelid and brush from all angles - upwards, downwards, side to side,' Ashleigh explained. 

'You really want to envision the shampoo getting to the base of your lash line where the buildup occurs.'

After rinsing off the shampoo, she uses a fan to dry off her lashes and the spoolie to brush everything out and keep lashes fluffy. 

Ashleigh advised looking out for 'crusty lashes, inflammation, or an itchy sensation around the lash line,' which could all be signs you have mites. 

Lashify is the world's first at-home lash extension system, where people can easily apply the false lashes underneath their natural lashes with the tools shown above 

Jill Medicis, the director of education at Lashify in New York, explained that even with the brand's removable lashes, it's still 'important to cleanse them' regularly with oil-free products

If professional lash extensions seem intimidating, there are other options to guarantee long lashes that can be replaced regularly to maintain clean eyes. 

Lashify is a celebrity-beloved brand that makes DIY lash cluster extensions that are easy to remove at home and are meant to be worn as long as you want, making them a hit with stars like Emma Stone, Jennifer Coolidge, Ayo Edebiri, and more. 

Jill Medicis, the director of education at Lashify in New York, explained, 'The advantage of Lashify over traditional lash extensions, regarding hygiene, is the frequent removal and cleansing of the eye and lash.'

Regularly removing the lashes helps 'reduce the build-up of any dirt, oils, or bacteria on the lash and surrounding eye area.'

Jill also advised looking for products like Lashify that are 'lab-tested, ophthalmologist-approved, and backed by professionals,' as well as not wearing lashes longer than recommended. 

'Since Lashify lashes are removed more frequently than typical lash extensions, there is less risk of moisture or bacteria getting trapped between the lashes and eyelids, which can contribute to the risk of infection,' Jill explained. 

'Ultimately, proper hygiene practice and cleansing of both Lashify lashes and traditional lash extensions play an important role,' she said.