Eyelash growth has four stages: growth, resting, shedding and re-growth. Your lashes continuously cycle through these four stages. As we age, eyelash follicles can slow or stop producing new lashes altogether.
Aging and menopause are considered to be one of the leading factors that cause shorter eyelashes due to certain hormonal imbalances that affect the growth cycle of hair follicles. Other factors include stress, lack of sleep, and allergic reactions to medications.
As we age, eyelash follicles (the openings in the skin through which the lash grows) can slow or stop producing new lashes altogether. Aside from age, there are other reasons someone might not have enough lashes.
As an adult, you might be less excited to notice your eyelashes falling out. It's natural to wonder if they will ever grow back. But, just like hair on your head, eyelashes grow, fall out, and regrow again in a natural cycle.
However, as estrogen levels start to decline, usually when we're in our forties, lashes get lighter and shorter—and that can make eyes look smaller, tired, and, well, older. At that point, it's even more important to take care of your lashes, because full lashes will help you look younger.
Vaseline is an occlusive moisturizer that can be used effectively on dry skin and eyelashes. It can't make eyelashes grow faster or longer, but it can moisturize them, making them look fuller and lusher.
Furthermore, during and after menopause, diffuse hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes is common, as the loss of estrogen stunts hair growth and can actually cause the destruction of hair follicles, leading to thinner, wispier hairs and lashes.
Eyelashes can grow back if pulled out, but it may take longer than 6 weeks or longer. This is because pulling an eyelash slows down the process of regrowth. While it's quite normal to lose 1-2 eyelashes a day, significant eyelash or eyebrow hair loss (madarosis) may indicate a more serious problem.
Your lashes grow through your eye follicles. The older we get, the slower our growth process becomes. This is how your lashes start to thin out.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, if the eyelashes get singed but the hair follicles are still intact, the lashes will usually grow back in 6 weeks. However, if the hair follicles were also damaged, the eyelashes might not grow back.
Castor oil contains 90% ricinoleic acid, according to a study in the International Journal of Science and Research. Ricinoleic acid contains high levels of triglycerides, which may help moisturize eyelashes. Also, the oil contains omega-6 fatty acids, which may help improve the health of hair.
Skin infections – Some eyelid infections can cause eyelashes to fall out. Infections may be bacterial, viral or parasitic (such as mites or lice). Burns or trauma – Eyelashes can fall out when certain burns and injuries affect the hair follicles.
Lash lifts and eyelash extensions are more mainstream solutions you may have heard of. Eyelash transplant surgery is another method used to improve the appearance of sparse lashes. Unlike lifts and extensions, this procedure offers more permanent results, if performed correctly by a board-certified surgeon.
Because it's oil-based, water might not be enough. Use your regular make-up routine during the day. If you do this consistently, you can see results in as little as three days!
We have a myth going around that if you cry regularly, your eyelashes will grow longer. But does this work? Researchers believe the experience is related to how stress hormones like cortisol affect the hair follicles. The release of these hormones may increase growth, but they are unlikely to cause longer eyelashes.
Myth 2: Apply Natural Oils To Your Lashes
Castor oil, unlike Vaseline, is easily able to penetrate deep into the skin due to its low molecular size. That is true. But claims that castor oil can stimulate circulation and thus promote hair growth has absolutely no credible clinical evidence linked to it.
From moisturizing and protecting your skin and hair to having antimicrobial and antifungal properties, the many benefits of coconut oil may extend to your eyelashes, too. Coconut oil may help keep your eyelashes healthy, resulting in fuller lashes that can stand up to cosmetics and eyelash styling tools.
"Eye infections, thyroid imbalance, and vitamin deficiency are common causes of thinning lashes, but it can also be caused simply by wear and tear from eye rubbing or poor makeup habits." Here's how to protect and thicken the lashes you do have and get growing again.
Castor oil versus lash serums.
Efficacy-wise, there isn't much of a difference between using straight castor oil and those castor-oil-infused serums. The only difference is that the lash serums probably lend a more appealing application.
“There is no evidence that conclusively demonstrates that castor oil causes eyelashes to actually grow,” says Dr. Haberman. Dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, agrees: “Castor oil may help your lashes look thicker, denser, or fuller, but it won't help them grow.” Womp, womp.
Castor oil is a vegetable oil that is derived from the bean of the castor tree. The fatty acids that make up castor oil are believed to be extremely nourishing to the skin. Many people report that with regular application, castor oil has helped them to grow thicker, longer eyelashes and eyebrows.
In general, lashes have a lifespan of about three months but can last more than 100 days before the lash falls out, and a new one begins to grow. Because each individual lash is in its own phase of the growing cycle, it's normal for a few lashes to fall out most days.
Your eyelashes typically take around two months to grow. However, factors like genetics, health conditions, hygiene habits, and traumatic injuries can affect the growth of your eyelashes or cause you to lose your lashes.