WFAA-TV

Some women who have undergone a newly popular eyelash extension procedure say they ended up losing their lashes, visiting the emergency room and some even claim they suffered damage to their eyes.

While putting hard numbers on the problem is difficult since the process is an unregulated service, there are women who hope speaking out about the problem will shed some light.

Shellie Lapac was among many women who sought the service in her quest for longer lashes, which immediately after the procedure was exactly what she thought she received.

"I was excited," she said. "They looked great."

An aesthetician, Lapac underwent the treatment with trained co-workers before trying it out on clients at the spa. Soon after it was over though, Lapac said her eyes got red and irritated.

"I could hardly open them," she said. "... I'm freaking out because I don't really know what's wrong with my eyes."

Lapac said her eyelashes began drooping and the extensions began scratching her eyes.

"I finally got most of them off and then just started cutting the rest," she said. "At this point, they're driving me crazy."

Lapac said she went to the emergency room where she was told she had cornea abrasions and would need to wear an eye patch for days. Doctors told her the glue, which was industrial strength, used in the process was the culprit.

Renee Cao, a certified technician, said she has found herself fixing bad extensions in which the glue was used.

"You can glue those eyes together if it's not done correctly," she said.

Cao said dozens of customers have come to her having been through that and worse. Cao uses tweezers, toothpicks and a special surgical glue to bond the patient's lashes.

No regulation is part of the problem, according to Cao. But those looking to lengthen their lashes safely may have an easier time if using a licensed aesthetician.