Ok so I think I have a good idea whats causing this. As a black woman myself I know the usual hair routine (whether straightened or natural) involves sitting under a hot steamer and/or overhead dryer for extended periods. The professional dryers are super hot and powerful often causing ears to burn (some salons even provide protective cups for ears), so yes I would imagine the hot steam on them followed by hot air fiercly blowing down on their lashes would both soften them and straighten them out.

My only suggestion would be they try and use something to shield them or have the dryer turned down a little and not sitting too far down on their head.