Lash Loss & Eyelash Loss

However simple the symptoms seem, there is actually a wide variety of reasons why your eyelashes fall out. The following are some possible causes:

• Some genetic diseases, such as cryptophthalmos and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, cause eyelashes to fall out.
• Excessive rubbing of the eyes – When you remove makeup products or rub your eyes, you may be causing your eyelashes to fall out.
• The use of heat products can damage eyelash hair follicles and damage eye makeup or mascara.
• You could lose your eyelashes if you have an allergic reaction to beauty products or other things.
• Eyelashes naturally thin with age.
• Blepharitis, thyroid disorders, alopecia, inflammatory diseases, and skin cancer are all medical conditions that can cause eyelashes to thin.
• Common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy can cause lash loss.

For long-term prevention, skincare and a set of habits recommended by our oculoplastic consultants are essential. Listed below are some popular prevention strategies that could complement your individualised management plan:

• When using beauty products, handle eyelashes gently
• Eyelash curlers and other heat products should not be used on your eyelashes
• Be sure to remove makeup before going to sleep

Your eyelashes will grow back depending on the cause of lash loss. As with the hair on top of your head, eyelash hair grows, falls out, and re-grows in about 4-16 weeks.

There are, however, a few caveats. Eyelashes sometimes don’t grow back if there is damage or trauma to hair follicles. It is also possible for lashes to grow back differently from those they used to be, especially after chemotherapy or medical conditions.

The good news is that most of the time, eyelashes do grow back. Unfortunately, the regrowth process can take up to 16 weeks. Just like the hair on your scalp, eyelashes grow in a three-phase cycle:

Anagen phase

The growth phase occurs when new hair grows from the eyelid follicles. Anagen usually lasts between 1 and 3 months and is what determines eyelash length. About 40% of your hairs are in this phase at any given time.

Catagen phase

During the catagen phases, growth ceases, and follicles begin to shrink.

Telogen phase

As the follicle matures, it goes into a resting phase that lasts about 4–9 months. The eyelash stays in this phase until it falls out, so at any given time, almost half of your lashes are in this phase.