Why are you losing your eyelashes and what can you do about it? Here is some useful information and possible solutions to help you.
What causes eyelash loss?
To better understand the reasons for eyelash loss, we first need to understand the role of these tiny hairs. Their main mission is to protect your eyes from external aggressors such as perspiration, dust and rain.
The average lifespan of eyelashes is 3 to 5 months. However, certain factors and bad habits can weaken the lashes, impair their growth and cause them to fall out prematurely.
Eyelash loss can be caused by:
- Their natural cycle: Like hair, eyelashes follow a life cycle growth, rest and falling out. It is therefore normal to lose a few eyelashes every day.
- Aging: With age, hair follicles can weaken, leading to a decrease in eyelash density.
- Stress and fatigue: These factors can disrupt the eyelash growth cycle.
- Nutritional deficiencies: A lack of vitamins (especially B8/biotin), iron or protein can weaken eyelashes.
- Autoimmune diseases: Conditions such as alopecia areata or hypothyroidism can cause eyelash loss.
- Eye infections: Blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids, can cause eyelashes to fall out.
- Medical treatments: Chemotherapy or certain drugs can cause temporary eyelash loss.
- Makeup habits: Excessive use of waterproof mascara or aggressive makeup removal can weaken lashes.
What deficiency causes eyelash loss?
Deficiencies in vitamins B (especially biotin), A, E, iron or omega-3 can affect the health of your eyelashes. These nutrients play a key role in hair growth and strength. A varied, balanced diet can therefore go a long way toward preventing them from falling out.
What to do if you are losing your eyelashes?
Eyelash loss is normal. However, in more intense cases, certain routine habits can save you a lot of damage. So if your lashes are falling out, start by:
- Do not rub your eyes or pull on your eyelashes;
- Gently cleanse your eyes every evening with a suitable product;
- Stop using irritating or suspect cosmetics
- Hydrate and strengthen your lashes with a vegetable oil or targeted serum.
These are small steps, but over time, they can help your eyelashes grow back. Check out our guide to get more intense lashes with a few key steps.
Is it normal to lose your eyelashes?
Yes, to a certain extent. Losing a few eyelashes each day is normal and part of the natural renewal cycle. On the other hand, if you notice them falling out excessively or suddenly, this may indicate an underlying problem that needs to be addressed.
How do I get my eyelashes back?
To promote eyelash growth, it's best to follow good practices. Here are a few examples of lifestyle habits to implement for healthy eyelashes:
Eat a balanced diet: A diet rich in vitamins (B8, E and iron) and minerals is essential for healthy eyelashes.
Use appropriate care products: Certain products can stimulate lash growth, such as lash serums or natural oils (castor oil, for example).
Follow a gentle skincare routine: Use a gentle eye makeup remover and avoid vigorous rubbing.
Do eyelashes grow back after they fall out?
The good news is that, in most cases, eyelashes grow back naturally. Their growth cycle consists of three phases:
- Growth phase (called “anagen”) lasts approximately 30 to 45 days.
- Transition phase (called "catagen") which takes a few days.
- Resting phase (called "telogen") which lasts about 100 days, after which the lash falls off and a new one begins to grow.
Thus, it generally takes between 6 and 8 weeks for a lost eyelash to be replaced. However, if the hair follicle is damaged (for example, due to a burn or excessive pulling), regrowth may be compromised.
Are extensions harmful to the eyelashes?
Eyelash extensions can weaken your natural lashes in the long term if they are incorrectly applied or poorly maintained. Excessive weight or premature removal can even damage the follicles.
For more information and tips on using eyelash extensions, check out our article on For more information and tips on using eyelash extensions, check out our article on False eyelashes: tcret to applying them well and everything you need to know about false lashes.
How can you prevent eyelash loss from day to day?
- Reduce your stress level as much as possible, whether through meditation, exercise, or any activity that helps you relax and change your mood.
- Avoid touching, rubbing or pulling your lashes with your fingers, as the more you rub your eyes, the more your eyelashes will tend to weaken and fall out.
- Continue using a cosmetic product if you think you may be allergic to it and avoid applying make-up to your lashes for a while to allow them to recover.
- Gently remove your makeup every evening by soaking a cotton pad with a mild makeup remover, placing it on your eyelids, and leaving it on for about ten seconds.
- Avoid wearing waterproof mascara every day. This type of mascara is more difficult to remove and requires more intense cleansing, which can weaken your lashes over time.
- Add more vitamins A, B and E and omega-3 fatty acids to your diet to promote healthy hair and lashes.
- Hydrate your eyelashes, as you would your skin or hair, to fortify them and encourage regrowth. There are products on the market designed specifically for this purpose.
There are several serums that act as hair care products to boost eyelash volume and growth. These products provide the nutrients needed to stimulate eyelash fibre, increase resistance and repair damage caused by certain bad habits.
Our suggested products for healthy eyelashes
Tip: Since these booster serums improve the external appearance of eyelashes while strengthening their internal structure, they can also help women regain more beautiful a fuller eyelashes after undergoing harsh medical treatments such as chemotherapy.