Lash extensions, when skillfully applied by professionals, should not damage your natural lashes. Properly done extensions are lightweight and adhere to individual lashes without causing harm. However, poorly applied extensions, which may be cheaper but lack quality, can lead to problems like breakage or thinning.
If your lash extensions are too heavy for your natural lashes to be able to support, this can cause your lashes to shed prematurely, which can impact their natural growth cycle. Lash extensions that are too heavy for your natural lashes can cause your lashes to grow back thinner and lead to natural lash loss.
Lash extensions are fibers that are glued onto the natural eyelashes to create a thicker, longer eyelash. However, lash extensions can damage or rip the natural lashes. If natural eyelashes are lost due to lash extensions, they typically grow back in a few months.
No, properly applied eyelash extensions will not thin your natural lashes. However, if the extensions are too heavy for your lashes or are applied incorrectly, they can cause strain or breakage, making your lashes appear thinner over time.
Eyelash extensions are a widely accepted technique to enhance the appearance of the eyes and face, but they have some drawbacks. The most prevalent of these side effects include chemical conjunctivitis [6], allergies, pain, dermatitis, and conjunctivitis [7].
Lash extensions, if too heavy or applied incorrectly, can lead to breakage, thinning, or even loss of natural lashes over time. On the other hand, proponents of lash extensions often highlight the benefits when applied correctly, including enhancing volume and length without the need for mascara.
Short, stubby lashes after extensions are a common problem caused by improper application techniques. Stickies, where multiple lashes are glued together, or using extensions that are too heavy or the wrong length can result in damage.
If your extensions are too heavy, they can cause your eyelash shaft to break. This causes the appearance of short lashes. Improper removal techniques can also cause shaft breakage, leading to shorter-looking lashes until they naturally grow back.
As a general rule of thumb, many lash experts recommend taking a break every 6-9 months, especially if you've been wearing extensions continuously. Given that the natural lash growth cycle from start to finish can range from 3 to 4 months, individual lashes are at different stages of this cycle at any given time.
Eyelashes continue to grow throughout your life. However, they may become thinner and shorter as you age. More delicate lashes could be about the amount you have to start with and the length of the growth cycle. You may also notice that your lashes are not as curly as they once were.
A nutrient-deficient diet has also been linked to lash loss. A lack of essential fatty acids can affect lash loss, as well as a lack of vitamins D, Zinc and Iron.
Typically, it takes around 9 to 12 weeks for new natural lashes to fully grow back, aligning with their complete growth cycle. The reassuring news is that your natural lashes will eventually make a comeback.
Damage to Your Natural Lashes
Unfortunately, fake eyelashes may also cause temporary or permanent loss of your real eyelashes. Taking the fake lashes off can break your natural lashes, and even damage the hair follicle. When this happens, your own lashes can fail to grow back.
Best lash serum overall
As mentioned above, Latisse is the only FDA-approved eyelash-enhancing serum. “It does work. It takes about eight weeks of nightly use,” says Dr. Russo.
While the adhesive can cause damages that are often temporary, the weight of the individual lashes, if they are too heavy for your natural lashes “Can cause premature shedding of the natural lash and may have an effect on your ability to grow lashes from those follicles.”
Lash extensions are high maintenance and can potentially damage your real lashes. If you notice that your natural lashes look thinner and more sparse as your lash extensions start to fall out, the treatment could be to blame. Sometimes, extensions can disrupt your lashes' natural growth cycle.
One of the most common is aging, as the hair growth cycle slows down as we age—including the lashes. This slowing of the hair growth cycle results in shorter, thinner lashes that are more prone to fall out. Hormonal imbalances, such as thyroid conditions or menopause, can also lead to lash loss.
In short, if your lashes appear short and stubby after extensions, don't worry—it's a common issue often caused by improper application. To restore them, take a break from extensions, use lash serums, apply natural oils, avoid waterproof mascara, and follow a gentle lash cleaning routine.
The application of excessively long or thick extensions can result in an increase in the loss of natural eyelashes. This occurs because the weight of the extensions stresses the natural lashes, causing them to deteriorate over time.
Typically, the eyelash cycle sticks to six weeks. As time passes, you will notice that certain areas along the lash line are becoming sparse. You can 'refill' these areas with new lash extensions, or you can wait for your natural eyelashes to grow out and let the lash extensions fall out naturally.
Personally, I would always choose silk or faux-mink over synthetic, to create a natural look. Softer and more flexible, less stiff and plasticky looking, they usually last longer as well. It may take more of them to create the dramatic look of synthetic lashes though, which some people do love.
Some may want to enhance their natural features without using too much mascara. Others may use them when dressing up for a special occasion. Whatever the reason may be, false eyelashes can be a fun accessory.
Like the hair on the rest of your body, your eyelashes can fall out. Thankfully, they also grow back. It takes a couple of months for lashes to grow back under normal circumstances. However, your lashes don't typically all fall out at once, so you won't notice that they're in the process of growing back.