Lash Artist Struggles: Common Injuries to Avoid
Like most careers, being a lash artist comes with a few "hazards." Although it's a relatively safe career path, it's still a physically strenuous job even if people may think it isn't. This blog discusses a few lash artist injuries, and a few solutions to either alleviate or avoid them completely:
Eye Strain
Eye strain can be annoying and is a pretty common problem for lash artists. If you are experiencing eye strain, it can include sore, tired, burning and/or itching eyes, blurred vision, headache, and increased sensitivity to light. The reason that many of us lash artists might suffer from eyestrain is that our job requires extended focus on a relatively small object (like isolating a natural lash while applying a lash extension).
Solutions:
Try your best to remember to follow the 20-20-20 rule. Set a timer to remind yourself to look away every 20 minutes at an object that is about 20 feet away for a full 20 seconds.
Make sure your lash studio is well lit! Try to position your light source behind you and direct the light onto where you are working. Ring lights are a great option for lights to use while lashing!
Visit your optometrist! If you need glasses, it's better to get them sooner rather than later.
Finger and Hand Soreness
When you overuse your fingers or hands, you may start to notice finger and hand soreness which may lead you to develop issues like carpal tunnel!
Solutions:
Invest in a quality pair of lashing tweezers that have a loose grip, so you don't need to apply excessive pressure when holding/applying lash extensions. At Lash Amour, we hand test each tweezer before we send them out so our customers can rest assured knowing we want you to avoid unnecessary hand fatigue!
To make sure your overall grip is strong, try using a stress ball 2 minutes per hand per day; this can help exercise your hands and it relieves stress so it's a win-win situation.
Back and Neck Pain
Let's be real: many of us probably have poor posture, not only at work but in our day to day life. When it comes to being a full-time lash artist, you may be lashing clients back to back for 6 to 10 hours per day. If your eyesight is not the best, or you're tired, you may slouch or hunch over your client more. If you don't have a supportive chair, or if your client isn't positioned optimally, these all can cause issues for back and neck pain.
Solutions:
Remember to stay hydrated. The discs between the vertebrae in your spine need water to maintain their height and alignment and to take pressure off of your spine.
Do some stretches!
TAKE A DAY OFF. Sometimes, if you're overworked, it's best to rest rather than continue to lash clients. Not only will you most likely be in more discomfort, but you might be less productive since you're too preoccupied with your pain. You'll be doing yourself and your clients a favor.
Get a massage or visit a chiropractor! These can definitely help to minimize neck and back pain. This way, you can sleep better, be less distracted from discomfort, and you can be efficient when you're lashing. Self-care isn't selfish when it comes to activities that can help you succeed in your life!