As a lash technician, you spend countless hours hunched over your clients, meticulously applying eyelash extensions. While the results may be stunning, the toll on your body can be significant if you neglect your posture and ergonomics. It’s easy to overlook the impact that repetitive movements and prolonged periods of work can have on your physical well-being.
In this blog post, we team up with Gabby Leyonhjelm, Osteopath and Clinical Pilates Instructor, to offer valuable insights and practical tips to help you safeguard your well-being and ensure the longevity of your career as a Lash Artist. So, let’s get started!
Why should lash artists prioritize proper posture while lashing?
Gabby explains that “constantly sitting with poor posture can lead to various musculoskeletal issues relating to the upper limbs, mid back, neck, and headaches”. Prioritizing proper posture can minimize the risk of developing these issues, promote your overall well-being, and enable you to enjoy a more comfortable and fulfilling career in the lash industry.
According to Gabby, maintaining proper posture can positively impact a lash artist’s well-being and health by:
- Preventing musculoskeletal pain.
- Reducing physical discomfort while working.
- Reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
- Enhances performance and productivity.
Signs of poor posture and ergonomics
- Persistent muscle pain/discomfort in the neck, shoulders, back, or wrists
- Headaches – tension headaches or cervicogenic headaches can be related to neck or shoulder dysfunctions caused by poor posture.
- Numbness /tingling in forearms, wrists, or fingers can indicate nerve irritation/compression originating from the neck.
- Stiffness/ decreased range of motion – commonly felt in the lower and upper back can be an indication of poor work setup and posture.
- Decreased functionality – if poor posture or ergonomics are affecting your ability to perform daily tasks.
If you or one of your lash besties is facing any of these discomforts, it is important to seek professional advice/treatment as soon as possible. Gabby explains that “it is important to identify the root cause of this situation, provide management strategies, exercise programs, and receive appropriate treatment to improve overall well-being”.
How to Overcome Lashing Ergonomic Challenges
Implementing ergonomic principles is essential for creating a healthy workspace in your lash salon. Plus, by prioritizing ergonomic design, you can optimize the comfort and efficiency of your work environment while minimizing the risk of strain and injury. With that in mind, we asked Gabby to explain some of the common ergonomic challenges faced by lash artists, and how to address them effectively. This is what she shared:
- Challenge: Repetitive Movements (e.g. wrist and finger movements). Lash technicians are repetitively using their wrists and hands when applying lash extensions and handling equipment. This constant repetition can lead to musculoskeletal conditions related to the upper limb such as carpel tunnel, muscle strains, and tendinopathies.
- Solution: Strategies can be implemented to minimize the stress placed on the hands, wrists, and fingers. These include taking breaks between clients, wrist braces, and exercises to stretch forearm muscles and increase grip and forearm strength.
- Challenge: Non-ergonomic Workstations. Some lash artists work in a cramped workspace and are forced to stay in awkward and uncomfortable positions.
- Solution: Choose a chair that allows you to adjust the height and angle to suit your body’s needs. Plus, ensure your feet are flat on the floor or use a footrest if needed. Ensure your lash tools, supplies, and Prolong Lash Cleanser are within easy reach, eliminating the need for excessive stretching or reaching during your work.
- Challenge: Long Appointment Times. Depending on the type of lashes being applied and the experience of the technician an average lash appointment can range from 30 minutes to 3 hours. This can be an extremely long time to sit stationary. Therefore, it is important to break up long periods of sitting.
- Solution: It is advised we move every 20 minutes for 2 minutes. This could simply be getting up and having a glass of water, doing a lap around the room, or completing 2-3 simple stretches. This can help reduce tension, stiffness, and overall discomfort.
- Challenge: Uncomfortable Seating. Typically, a lash artist’s workplace is centered around patient comfort while unfortunately, they are disregarding their own comfort. Therefore, it is important to invest in comfortable and supportive chairs.
- Solution: Keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and chin parallel to the floor. Avoid slouching, leaning, or bending over excessively, as these actions can strain your spine and lead to discomfort. Ensure your lash bed is positioned at an appropriate height that allows your arms to rest comfortably while applying eyelash extensions. Your shoulders should remain relaxed, and your elbows should be at a 90-degree angle. When positioning your lash clients, avoid having them lie completely flat, as it can strain your back and neck. Utilize wedges or pillows to elevate their head slightly and ensure that the client is positioned as close to you as comfortable, maintaining a more ergonomically favorable position for you.
Practical Tools for Elevating Your Lash Salon’s Workstation Setup
According to Gabby, there are a few tools that may be beneficial to promote better ergonomics during lash application.
- Adjustable chair and lash table: Select a chair with adjustable features that provides excellent lumbar support, promoting an upright sitting position that maintains the natural curve of your spine.
- Eyelash extension ring: This is a convenient tool that can hold lash extensions on your finger. This reduces the amount of time a technician needs to reach for supplies. Alternatively, a mounted iPhone holder with a flexible arm can hold a lash tile in the perfect position and is easily adjusted. Here is an example.
- Adjustable/portable worktable: Having a workstation bench that is on wheels allows for access to supplies. Being able to wheel it into any preferred working position that is easy to grab things off will reduce the need for excessive reaching, twisting, and bending.
- LED magnifying glass to help improve visibility during the lash application. These can help promote posture and reduce eye fatigue.
Easy Exercises to Improve a Lash Artist’s Posture
Gabby emphasizes that the most effective exercises for lash artists are ones that focus on enhancing thoracic and lumbar mobility, strengthening posture (including the neck, shoulders, and back), and improving upper limb strength and flexibility.
She also highlights that “an exercise program targeted for beauty professionals should still be personalized to the individual to address their needs”. However, there are some general exercises that she recommends:
Thoracic and lumbar mobility
- Cat cows
- Thread the needle
- Childs pose
- Hip openers
- Open book
Cervical strength
- Chin tucks
- Prone head/chest lifts
Shoulder/mid-back strength
- V, W, Y chest lifts
- Double arm rows with Thera-band
- Wall push-ups
Lumbar/core strength
- Glute bridges
- Clams
- Toe taps
As a Lash Artist, your dedication to perfecting your craft is admirable, but it's equally important to prioritize your physical well-being. By implementing proper posture and ergonomic practices, you can reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal issues, enhance your comfort, and ensure a long and fulfilling career in the lash industry.
A healthy body leads to a healthy mind, and both are vital for your success as a Lash Artist. By prioritizing self-care and attending to your well-being, you ensure your clients receive the ongoing benefits of your exceptional skills and compassionate care.
Discover more helpful hints and tips from the Prolong Lash blog and learn how to partner with us for your small business now.
This article was made in collaboration with Gabby Leyonhjelm, Osteopath and Clinical Pilates Instructor, graduated at RMIT University.
