Eyelash Regrowth: Duration and Facts (Including Regeneration Details)
Eyelashes, those delicate and essential accessories to our eyes, are a subject of interest for many. They protect our eyes from debris, trigger the blink reflex, and help filter light. But what happens when they fall out, and how can we encourage faster growth?
Typically, a lost eyelash will be replaced within 6 to 8 weeks. This timeframe corresponds to the natural eyelash growth cycle, which includes three stages: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting and shedding). The growth phase, anagen, lasts approximately 30 to 45 days, followed by a brief transition phase, catagen, and then a resting phase, telogen, of about 100 days before the lash falls out and new growth starts.
However, factors such as follicle health, genetics, age, and overall health can influence the exact duration. In some cases, if eyelashes are cut rather than pulled, regrowth can occur faster—within 2 to 3 weeks—because the follicle remains intact.
Lash extensions, a popular cosmetic trend, typically last 6 to 8 weeks before needing a refill. After the anagen phase, lashes stop growing for 2 to 3 weeks before naturally shedding within 3 to 4 months. It can take 6 to 12 weeks for eyelashes to grow back after extensions, but the time depends on individual health and hair growth rate.
While losing eyelashes is a normal part of the natural growth process, excessive eyelash loss may be caused by aging, excessive use of mascara or lash curlers, eyelash extensions, improper makeup removal, medical conditions, medications, blepharitis, or burns. In rare cases, lashes may not grow back when the hair follicle is damaged, e.g., if a lash is burned or pulled out multiple times.
If you're losing more than 1 to 5 lashes a day or they're shedding constantly, it may be due to an underlying issue. See a doctor if experiencing pain or excessive lash loss for no clear reason, skin changes, pressure around eyes, vision loss, or if lash loss is happening on both lids, along with hair loss on eyebrows and/or scalp.
Taking care of your eyelashes can help promote growth. Gentle face washing, limiting eyelash curler use, removing makeup gently, sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase, eating a healthy diet, limiting lash extension frequency, using an eyelash serum, and taking care of extensions or lifts can all contribute to faster eyelash growth.
This article was co-authored by Alicia Ramos, a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Smoothe Denver in Denver, Colorado, and Aly Rusciano. Knowing why your eyelashes may be shedding can help determine the best way to speed up their growth. If you're concerned about your eyelash health, consult a professional for personalised advice.
References:
[1] American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2021). Eyelash Loss. [online] Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/eyelash-loss-0
[2] The Mayo Clinic. (2021). Eyelash loss. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eyelash-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20352692
[3] The Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Eyelash Loss. [online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17998-eyelash-loss
[4] The National Institute of Health. (2021). Eyelash Loss. [online] Available at: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/eyelash-loss#genes
- Rather than relying on lash extensions for enhanced aesthetics, considering a health-and-wellness approach to eyelash care may encourage faster growth, as suggested by Alicia Ramos, a licensed esthetician.
- Adequate education about the eyelash growth cycle is crucial in understanding why lashes might be shedding, according to the co-authored article by Alicia Ramos and Aly Rusciano, which refers to the anagen, catagen, and telogen stages.
- Maintaining the health of one's skin-care regimen, as detailed in the article, can contribute to promoting faster eyelash growth and overall eye health, including gentle face washing, limiting the use of eyelash curlers, and carefully removing makeup.
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