Are individuals with eyelash extensions at risk for infection during plastic surgery?

There are no contraindications to having eyelash extension when undergoing a rhinoplasty or chin augmentation surgery. However, depending upon your level of anesthesia it is possible that the extensions themselves may come off during the surgical procedure and you will have to get them redone. For that reason, it might be best to wait until you have the procedure to avoid any issues with the extensions themselves.

  In our practice, we have not seen an increased risk of infections with eyelash extensions.  When performing facial cosmetic surgery, the entire face is scrubbed with antibacterial soap, which also includes the eyelashes.  Occasionally a few eyelashes will fall off during that process.  In addition, we also place specialized tape across the eyes to prevent corneal abrasion.  It was not necessary to remove them prior to surgery, however it is probably best to just have them reapplied sometime after the surgery

Many of our patients have eyelid extensions, and I must say that I have not had any problems in any of my patients yet!    There can always be a problem and I believe that there could be an infection, but I could  expect with proper precautions this is unlikely to occur.  Good luck to you.Frank Rieger M.D.  Tampa  Plastic Surgeon