Eyelashes frame your eyes and provide an aesthetically pleasing curtain, but did you know that they evolved biologically to protect our eyes from debris and prevent eye infections? Just like the hairs everywhere else on your body, there is a reason why eyelashes exist and grow back following the same inevitable hair life cycle. When you really think about it, we don’t have the same hair on our heads as when we were born, so you can understand why it is natural for eyelashes to also grow, fall out, and grow back as well. While hair loss on your scalp is more common, you shouldn’t panic when it comes to eyelash shedding. Eyelash loss is far from permanent and for the most part you can feel comforted in the fact that they will grow back. Read more to learn why eyelashes can fall out, how long eyelashes take to grow back, and learn tips to find the safest, most effective ways to maintain them.
Eyelashes Grow Back in 4 Phases
While stress, underlying medical conditions, nutritional deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances can all play a part in the loss of eyelash hairs, the most common reason you’re losing your lashes is the natural hair growth cycle. There are 4 phases within the hair growth cycle:
- Anagen Phase. The anagen phase is the 1st phase, which is also known as the active growth phase of the hair growth cycle. For eyelashes, this phase typically lasts roughly 1-2 months.
- Catagen Phase. The catagen phase follows and is known as the transitional phase where growth stops and your follicles begin to shrink.
- Telogen Phase. The telogen phase is next and is considered the resting phase. This phase accounts for the majority of your hair growth cycle, whereby your hair follicle is at rest and the hair has fully formed.
- Exogen Phase. Finally, the exogen phase is the last phase in which the hair officially sheds - and thus, the cycle begins all over again.
How long does it take for eyelashes to grow back?
The average adult has around 90-160 upper eyelashes and 75-80 bottom eyelashes. At any given time, one of your eyelashes is going through some part of the hair growth process.
How many eyelashes do you lose a day?
The average human will typically lose 1 to 5 eyelashes a day. Eyelashes typically grow, fall out, and regrow within a span of 6-10 weeks.
Why Do Eyelashes Fall Out?
Medical Reasons
While there is a good chance that your eyelash loss is purely natural, there may be underlying factors out of your control that can cause your eyelashes to shed. Possible explanations include hormonal changes, overactive/underactive thyroid glands, alopecia, and so forth. All of these conditions may affect your hair growth on your scalp, eye brows, eyelashes, etc. If you are concerned about excessive shedding, consider seeking professional help from a Doctor to diagnose your issues as advanced care might be necessary.
Bad Eyelash Habits
Bad beauty habits are oftentimes the offender to thinning eyelashes. It’s important to have a lash care routine if you’re looking for a luscious, thick lash look. Some of the bad habits we’ve adopted come unknowingly, so it’s important to recognize how these practices can negatively affect our eyelashes in the long run. Fix these faults from becoming frequent habits to achieve your ideal lashes.
Nighttime Eyelash Routine
Avoid sleeping in heavy makeup, especially heavy and waterproof mascara, at the risk of forming bacterial eye infections. To further prevent eyelash loss, form a healthy beauty habit of cleansing your face from makeup at the end of the day. It is also worth reminding that you should always wash your hands before touching your face and to never share eye cosmetics with others. This is a way to spread bacteria quickly. If a makeup product is irritating your eye area then be sure to toss or stop using the product. If you ever contract an eye infection, get rid of any eye makeup (especially mascara) you used immediately prior to the infection.
Eyelash Curling
When curling your lashes, avoid using an eyelash curler too aggressively. Over-crimping can weaken your lashes to the point where they fall off if done too forcefully. Only curl your lashes when they are dry (wet hair is when your hair is weakest) and use an eye curler with a plush band.
Eyelash Extensions
Eyelash extensions can also be a culprit to bad eyelash health. Of course when done carefully and properly (through a professional), you can minimize and prevent damage to your eyelashes. But be cautious and think twice if attempting to DIY a lash treatment at home. When done incorrectly, the glue for these lash extensions can end up damaging and ripping off your eyelashes. Some lash glues can even cause an allergic reaction to those with sensitive skin or allergies. If you’ve received professional eye extensions, be sure to take care of them by cleansing them (as you would the rest of your makeup) every night and avoid rubbing your eyes with them.
Best Eyelash Care Routines
Using lukewarm water and a mild face wash or makeup remover, cleanse your eye area gently without rubbing too harshly. Avoid rubbing your eyes and skin roughly, but rather massage in circular motion softly. Additionally, you may condition your eyelashes with a serum or natural oils after cleansing, but be sure to avoid such products going into your eyes.
A change in nutrition could also aid in the issue of lashes falling out. Consider adding more protein-rich, iron, and essential fatty acid foods to your diet - examples of such foods include nuts, salmon, eggs, and avocado. By consuming more vitamin-filled foods, you can aid your body in providing an optimal setting for natural hair growth to take place.
Eyelash Growth Products Without Prostaglandins
Another precaution to keep in mind is eyelash growth products with Prostaglandins. Known as a common ingredient in eyelash serums, it is added for their ability to aid in lash growth. Prostaglandin analogues are compounds naturally produced by our bodies and can be used in a variety of applications, but are known most commonly for being a glaucoma medication - specifically, used to relieve pressure in the eyes of glaucoma patients. One of the unintended side effects of Prostaglandins in glaucoma medications is interrupting the eyelash growth cycle, thus resulting in longer lashes. When applied to the lash line, Prostaglandins prolong the anagen (growth) phase of the hair growth cycle. While this may seem harmless, there are more severe side effects, such as eye irritation, hyperpigmentation around your eye, and most alarmingly - darkening the iris of your eye (which can also be permanent). These are all precautions to keep in mind when in search of an eyelash serum with Prostaglandins.
Conclusion
In summary, for the most part you shouldn’t be too worried about eyelash loss unless you are losing hair from both eyes and believe it is abnormally high (discuss with your personal doctor in these instances of concern). But in general, if you lose an eyelash on any average day, go ahead and make a wish as you normally would. We hope you’ve learned a bit more about why eyelashes fall out, tips to avoid excess lash loss, and healthy habits that can help to maintain healthier lashes.
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