Between excessive rubbing, keeping debris out of your eyes and being coated with thick, waxy product day in and out, your lashes take a beating. So, if they’re looking a little sparse every now and then, it’s probably not impossible to pinpoint why.
However, when it comes to restoring your lashes to their full, wispy glory it’s easy to get a little impatient.
The truth is, it’s perfectly normal for your eyelashes to fall out. Similarly to the hair on our heads, eyelashes follow a growth lifecycle and will typically shed every six to 10 weeks. It’s important to note that this does not mean every six weeks you will have no lashes and immediately need to cancel all upcoming dinner plans. As they rotate continuously, we can actually lose as many as five lashes per day.
What causes eyelashes to shed?
Outside of their natural cycle, there are several factors that can cause eyelashes to shed. These include excessive rubbing, dryness, diet, stress and also your beauty routine. Take waterproof mascara for example; while praised for its staying power, it’s notoriously difficult to remove and if not handled with care can cause trauma to the delicate lash follicles.
How long does it take for your eyelashes to grow back?
For lashes that have fallen out at the root, recovery time is typically two months. In the case of lashes that have been broken but not pulled out of the root, with proper care, you may begin to see results in as little as three weeks.
Top tips for growing your lashes…
#1 Completely (and gently) remove your mascara and eye makeup
When lashes are coated in mascara, it makes them more stiff and prone to breakage. As with eyeliner and eyeshadow, if they are left on overnight, oil can enter pores, clogging them and preventing hair growth. If you’re using waterproof mascara, make sure you remove it gently with a micellar water or an oil cleanser.
bh recommends: La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra for Reactive Skin, $32.95 at Adore Beauty
#2 Introduce a lash growth serum
Whether they’re over the counter or prescription, lash serums use amino acids to stimulate growth, strengthen and nourish lashes at every phase of the growth cycle.
bh recommends: freezeframe® LASH PRESCRIPTION, ($69, Priceline) and 1000 Hour Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum ($29.99, Chemist Warehouse)
#3 Eat a balanced diet
Following a diet rich in protein, fibre and iron as well as all essential nutrients and vitamins will promote consistent healthy hair growth. If you’re deficient in any of these essential nutrients, try incorporating a supplement into your routine.
bh recommends: Swisse Ultiboost Iron ($11.95 at Chemist Warehouse).
Main image credit: @jastookes
Do you have tips for promoting lash growth? If so, what are they?
I have a very bad habit of rubbing my eyes. Fortunately my lashes are okay, but it’s good to know how long they take to grow back.
Me too, it’s bad for my lashes and for my puffy eyes.
I try not to rub my eyes but find myself doing it when around pet dander, dust or pollen.
I don’t fuss too much over my eyelashes given that I wear glasses. Interesting info though.
What about alopecia? You should talk about that in your article. I had a primary school friend with it.
That would make for a very interesting article. I have a friend who has lost all her hair and she ended up getting a beautiful scalp tattoo!
Another article could focus on trichotillomania as that’s another cause of eyelash loss.
I should probably buy a lash growth serum
Me too, maybe?
There’s a particular lash serum Latisse that can change your eye colour if you aren’t careful with applying it.
There’s a particular lash serum that can change your eye colour if you aren’t careful with applying it.
I love lash prescription and have been using it for years. It definatley helps with my upper lashes.
I’ve had moderate success using an eyelash serum, but I do love waterproof mascara – I don’t want to look like Alice Cooper if it runs!
I try to be careful with my lashes but I do tend to rub my eyes way too much. I avoid waterproof mascara these days as it takes too much effort to remove it. Plus, I also kind of like the smudged chic look 🙂
I always try to be very careful when removing eye makeup! I don’t want my lashes falling out
Eye lashes, all good, brows not so good
I am the same -my lashes don’t seem to suffer too much but my eyebrows are a bit sparse
My eyebrows are a problem, so light in colour and when I have them tinted it only last about 2 weeks at the most
Oh no, 2 months! Mine are not great and lash serums are a good plan.
I don’t have any tips but I think I need both lash and brow growth serums. I could use some help in both those areas.
I need brow growth serum for certain!
I have never worried about eyelashes as they always seem to be there
Interesting topic. Thank you. I really need the growth serum on my pathetically short lashes.
Great tips to try out
I have very few eyelashes and should perhaps try some of the tips given here. Wish I had more and long dark ones.
I didn’t realise that it took 2 months for lashes to grow back
Neither did I but I’m glad they don’t all fall out at once!
My daughter had a horrific experience. After she had her eyelashes dyed, they literally fell out within minutes and took over a year to grow back. At first, we thought they never would. I felt so sorry for her.
Poor thing. That sounds like an absolute nightmare. One has to be careful with beauty procedures.
Two months!? Never rubbing my eyes again
Interesting article. Unfortunately for me, 8months of Chemo and ongoing radiation treatment has left me with no eyelashes. At first I was mortified, however I have adapted my makeup around this as fake lashes don’t agree with my eyes at the moment.
I rub my eyes sometimes as they are quite dry and they annoy me, but this was a great read.
I’ve been using DermalMD Eyelash Serum for a month and a half, And I’m blown away. Im growing eyelashes in places I didn’t know you could grow (out and inner corners of your eye line). That being said, new hairs are coming up everywhere, and the ones I have are looking a lot thicker, with and without mascara. I’ve wanted to try this product for YEARS.
interesting, good to learn new information
Wow that is such a long time! I use a serum to help mine stay long.
I am very gentle when removing eye makeup, I don’t want to remove my lashes as well!