We’ve all been there before. Whether it’s noticing a stray eyelash that’s fallen on our cheek or irritating our eye, or getting them caught in an eyelash curler, at some point we come to the realization that our eyelashes are not necessarily a permanent part of our facial terrain. So let’s say we did accidentally pull them out. Or we notice they’re not as thick as they used to be. Is there anything we can do about it? Do they even grow back at all?
What do our eyelashes do?
First things first: what do eyelashes even do? Are they just there to enhance the look of our eyes? The answer is a resounding no. Eyelashes are not just a piece of jewelry for our face. Just like your nose hairs (however gross it might be to think about those) help trap and prevent dust from getting into our noses, so do eyelashes do the same thing for your eyes. Think of them like windshield wipers that protect the interior of your car from the elements outside. You wouldn’t want to drive down a dusty or rainy road without them, would you? Eyelashes are there to ultimately protect your eyes from injury.
But beyond the accidental detachment, there are other not so obvious reasons why your lashes may be falling out. You may think that your beauty routine makes you look good, but the truth is that the constant use of eyelash curlers can, in fact, speed up your loss. Same with the bad habit of leaving on your makeup too long. Too tired after an event to even use a face wipe to remove your makeup? You may want to rethink simply falling into bed without taking at least your mascara or fake lashes off. Loss of eyelashes may actually be a sign that you are allergic to either the eye makeup you’re wearing or possibly the glue you use to attach your extensions.
Possible health issues
On the health issues side, your eyelashes falling off may be a symptom of blepharitis or trichotillomania. The former is a kind of inflammation that occurs when the oil glands at the base of your eyelashes become clogged. Other symptoms include itchiness and can also include either redness or swelling of your lids. The latter is a concerning habit that someone can develop. Due to stress, someone may come to pull their lashes out as a coping mechanism. Although extremely rare, loss of lashes can be a symptom of skin cancer, particularly one that starts or metastasizes to the eyelid. As the harmful cancer cells take over your healthy cells, they can disrupt the growth of your eyelashes.
When to see your doctor
If you notice increased loss of eyelashes, along with any of the other symptoms discussed above, you should seek medical attention. The good news is that once you solve the underlying health problems, your lashes should stop falling out.
But here’s even better news: Your eyelashes absolutely grow back. In fact, you may not even notice this under normal circumstances, but just like your skin cells naturally shed, fall off, and completely replace themselves every couple of weeks, your eyelashes do the same thing. With this cycle, it is completely normal to lose between one and five lashes a day that will then grow back every six to ten weeks or so.
Lash hygiene is just as important as hygiene for other parts of your body. This should include washing your face daily. If your eyelids feel super dry, you may want to use a lotion or conditioner, but generally your eyelids get naturally lubricated by glands that are found there.
So, what should you do if your lashes are falling out? Unless you suspect an underlying health issue, don’t panic! Soon enough (in about six to eight weeks) your lashes should be as good as new.
Written by Gila Isaacson