Ever wonder why your lashes sometimes look amazing and other times, not so much? It’s all about the eyelash growth cycle! Just like the hair on your head, your lashes go through natural phases of growth, shedding, and rest. Understanding this cycle is key to maximizing your lash health and getting the most out of your lash extensions.
Eyelashes, though small, play a significant role in our aesthetic appeal and eye health. They protect the eyes from dust, debris, and sweat. Understanding how your eyelashes grow and shed is crucial for maintaining their health and appearance. The eyelash growth cycle is a natural and continuous process in the life of eyelashes. It involves the shedding of old lashes to make way for new ones. This shedding phase, known as exogen, is a normal part of the eyelash growth cycle. Just like the hair on your head, your eyelashes go through a natural cycle of growth and eventual shedding.
Eyelashes are made of a protein called keratin, the same material as the hair on your head and body. Each person typically has about 150-200 natural lashes per eye on their upper eyelids and 75-100 on the lower lids. Regardless of differences in length, thickness, and color, everyone’s lashes follow the same three-phase growth cycle. The human lower lid contains 75-80 lashes dispersed in three to four rows, whereas the upper lid has 90-160 lashes scattered on five to six rows.
The lash itself is made up of three structures that fit into one another. The innermost structure, the medulla, consists of loose cells. A thicker cortex surrounds the medulla to ensure its strength and stability. The pigmentation of either the lash or hair is the result of the melanin contained in the cortex.
The eyelash growth cycle can be broken down into three distinct phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Each phase plays a crucial role in the overall health and appearance of your lashes. From beginning to end, this cycle can take anywhere from 4 to 11 months to complete.
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This is the growth phase, where your lashes are actively sprouting and getting longer. During the Anagen phase, lashes grow actively for around 30-45 days. About 40 percent of your lashes are in this phase at any given time. This is also the phase when new lashes are growing, pushing out the old ones. The anagen phase for lashes is relatively short, lasting anywhere from 4-10 weeks. During this phase, your lashes will grow at a rate of 0.12 - 1.14mm PER DAY! Almost 40% of your upper eyelashes and 15% of your lower lashes will be in the Anagen phase simultaneously. This helps make sure you don’t lose all of your lashes at once when it comes time for them to fall out! The longer your lashes stay in this growth phase, the longer they will grow!
The duration of the Anagen phase can vary based on several factors. Genetics play a significant role, with some people genetically predisposed to longer Anagen phases, resulting in longer lashes. Additionally, age and hormonal changes can influence the length of the Anagen phase. Younger people typically have longer Anagen phases than older people, resulting in more robust lash growth. External factors such as diet, stress levels, and overall health can also impact the Anagen phase. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for hair growth.
This is a brief transition phase, lasting about 2-3 weeks, where the lash stops growing and the hair follicle shrinks. Following the anagen phase, the catagen phase is a transitional period lasting about two to three weeks. During this time, the lash stops growing, and the follicle begins to shrink. Think of it as the lash taking a little pause before the next stage. In the Catagen phase, which lasts 2-3 weeks, lashes reach their maximum length, and growth halts.
During the Catagen Phase of the lash growth cycle, the eyelash stops growing. The hair follicle will shrink, detach from the dermal papilla, and the lash will stop growing! This phase is known as the transition phase as the lashes maintain their length while waiting for the next and final phase. During this phase, if an eyelash falls out (or is pulled out), that follicle will remain empty while it completes this phase until it starts back over at the Anagen phase.
This is the resting phase, where the lash is fully formed but no longer growing. Eventually, the lash will shed to make way for a new lash to grow in its place. The resting / shedding phase is known as the Telogen phase, which lasts 3-4 months. During this time, a new hair begins to grow from the hair follicle, eventually pushing out the old hair. The telogen phase is a resting period that lasts around 100 days. It's during this phase that the lash is fully grown but not actively growing. The old lash may shed to make room for a new one.
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During this phase, your lashes will naturally fall out while your new lashes grow in. The Telogen phase of “sitting and resting” typically lasts anywhere from 3 to 4 months - meaning your lashes will typically sit for this time period before falling out. About 50% of your lashes will be in this phase at one time, which assures you do not lose all of your lashes at one time.
During the Telogen phase, the hair follicles remain dormant before re-entering the Anagen phase to initiate new lash growth. This resting period allows the follicles to replenish their energy stores and prepare for the next cycle of growth. Factors such as hormonal fluctuations and environmental stressors can influence the duration of the Telogen phase. For example, changes in hormone levels during pregnancy or menopause can disrupt the hair growth cycle.
Seeing a lash or two fall out can be a little alarming, but it’s totally normal! Lashes, like any other hair, have a limited lifespan. On average, individuals may naturally shed 1 to 5 lashes per day as the old ones detach from the follicles, allowing room for the growth of new lashes. The shedding phase (telogen) is a natural part of the lash growth cycle, and it’s how your body makes room for new, healthy lashes to grow. Because each individual lash is in its own phase of the cycle, it’s normal for a few lashes to fall out every day. It usually takes 4-8 weeks to fully replace a lash. There’s no reason to get worried about normal lash shedding. They are just making room for new ones! Lash shedding is most noticeable during the telogen phase, as this is when the old lash naturally falls out to make way for a new one. Lash shedding is a natural cycle that happens to everyone.
Several factors can influence your lash growth cycle, including genetics, hormones, and lifestyle choices. The lash growth rate is influenced by several factors, including the topical prostaglandin analogs used to reduce the intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.
Some people are naturally blessed with longer, thicker lashes than others. Genetics play a pivotal role in determining the length, color, and thickness of your eyelashes. Genetics play a significant role in determining lash length, thickness, and growth rate.
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Just like many other things in our bodies, lash growth can be influenced by hormones. Hormones play a crucial role in hair growth, including eyelashes. Changes in hormone levels, like during pregnancy, menopause, or due to certain medical conditions, can sometimes affect how your lashes grow and shed. If you notice any significant changes in your lash growth, it’s always a good idea to chat with your doctor to rule out any underlying causes.
Diet and lifestyle choices can significantly impact eyelash health. Nutrients like biotin, proteins, and vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth. High-stress levels can sometimes contribute to lash shedding. So, in addition to regular lash appointments, make sure you’re taking care of yourself with relaxation techniques, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. Adequate sleep is vital for overall health, including hair growth.
Want to give your lashes a little boost? There are several myths surrounding eyelash growth. Eyelash growth serums, often containing peptides and natural oils, can nourish lashes and stimulate growth. Maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamins and proteins can support hair and lash growth.
Lash extensions can work wonders, adding incredible length and volume to your natural lashes. However, it’s important to remember that your own unique lash growth cycle ultimately determines the length of your natural lashes. Think of lash extensions as enhancing what you already have - they’re like adding a touch of magic to your natural beauty. Understanding the eyelash growth cycle provides insights into the natural progression of lashes and helps individuals manage expectations regarding shedding, growth, and overall lash health. The lash cycle is the primary reason why you need to have your lash extensions filled in one or more times a month.
Ever notice how sometimes your lashes look super full and other times, not so much? That’s the lash growth cycle in action! Understanding this natural process is key to keeping your lash extensions looking fabulous. Think of it this way: just like your hair grows in phases, so do your lashes. They have a growth period, a transition period, and a resting period before they naturally shed. To keep your lash extensions looking their absolute best, we recommend fills every 2-3 weeks. This timing aligns perfectly with your natural lash cycle, replacing any lashes that have naturally shed and keeping your lash line full and gorgeous.
One of the most common questions we hear is, “Are lash extensions safe for my natural lashes?” The answer is a resounding yes! When applied correctly by a trained and certified lash artist, lash extensions are perfectly safe and won’t damage your natural lashes or disrupt their growth cycle. In fact, many of our clients find that lash extensions actually protect their natural lashes from the daily wear and tear of mascara and other eye makeup.
Choosing a qualified and experienced lash artist is essential for maintaining the health of your natural lashes and the longevity of your lash extensions. They’ll assess your natural lashes, discuss your desired look, and create a customized set of lash extensions that perfectly complement your features.
If you're a fan of eyelashes, you might have observed that there are specific seasons when your lashes tend to fall out more. This is only the normal occurrence known as "lash shedding season," nothing to be alarmed by. Lash shedding season, which often occurs in the spring and fall, is when you lose more of your natural lashes than usual.
Lash shedding is not necessarily a retention issue. When lash shedding occurs, both natural lashes and attached extensions naturally fall out as part of the normal growth cycle. This shedding is a common and expected phenomenon for everyone and is unrelated to the quality of the initial lash extension application or retention. While lash shedding may influence the overall appearance of extensions over time, it is not an indication of a problem with retention. Understanding that lash shedding is a natural part of the cycle of lash growth helps manage expectations, and it is important for clients to realize that regular shedding does not result from low retention or improper application.
To help lessen the effect of lash shedding, particularly when using extensions, here are some simple techniques to maintain that gorgeous look of your lashes:
Deep down in your skin, there’s a tiny but mighty structure called the hair follicle, and that’s where your lashes grow. Each follicle has its own individual growth cycle, which explains why some lashes might seem to grow faster than others. Understanding the hair follicle helps us appreciate why consistent and proper lash care is so vital for maintaining healthy, strong lashes. The anatomy and physiology of the lash follicle are distinctive from other hair follicles.
The morphology of the eyelashes is such that they are curved in all individuals, regardless of ethnicity. This curvature is initiated at the bulb of the lash and continues until the tip of the shaft. When it comes to lashes, their degree of pigmentation is defined by the quantity of melanocytes in the lash follicle structure. The lash becomes grayish at a very advanced age and rarely whitens.
Aerodynamic studies using a mammalian eye model confirmed that an optimal lash length was needed so that eyelashes serve a protective role in reducing the number of particles that can reach the eye. The optimal lash length determined was compared with other mammalian eyelash lengths, obtained by photographs from phylogenetically diverse preserved mammalian heads. They established that the optimal lash length was one-third of the width of the eye. Aerodynamic analysis confirmed that this was the optimal length, because it reduced tear evaporation and deposition of particles on lashes by half.
During an evaluation of the anterior segment of the eye, ECPs need to assess the normalcy of several structures including eyelashes. There are several terms in the literature that define anomalies of hair anywhere on the body, however some are specific for eyelashes. There is a consensus on most definitions on eyelash anomalies with the exception of hypertrichosis and trichomegaly. Depending on the etiology, a single pathology or several lash pathologies may be present simultaneously. It is essential for ECPs to first determine the etiology of the lash pathology to select the appropriate management.
Understanding your eyelash growth cycle is essential for maintaining healthy and beautiful lashes. By following simple tips like gentle makeup removal, using lash serum, and handling your lashes with care, you can ensure that your lashes remain in optimal condition throughout the cycle. While individual differences may influence the pace of lash growth, consistent care and nourishment will help you achieve your desired lash goals over time. With proper attention and maintenance, you can enjoy lush, healthy lashes that enhance your natural beauty.
By working with a professional lash artist and following a healthy lifestyle, you can enjoy beautiful, healthy lashes for years to come. So, are you ready to embrace the science of lash growth and discover your most beautiful lashes yet? With the right knowledge, care practices, and treatments, achieving healthy, fuller eyelashes is within reach.
