Eyelashes often endure a daily barrage of treatments - layers of mascara, heavy false lashes, and lash glue. Just like skin care, eyelashes deserve attention to maintain their health and appearance. By providing your eyelashes with some basic care, you may achieve the healthy, feathery lashes you desire.
While it may seem like eyelashes don't need much attention, they benefit from basic care that helps prevent infections, irritation, inflammation, and eyelash loss. This is especially important if you frequently wear eye makeup and false lashes. KerryLou Herbert, an aesthetician at Omniya Clinic, emphasizes the importance of eyelash health and recommends gentle cleansing and brushing of lashes daily.
The lower eyelid typically has 75 to 80 lashes arranged in four rows, while the upper eyelid boasts 90 to 160 lashes in five or six rows. Each lash consists of the shaft (the visible part), the root, and a bulb connecting to blood vessels. The lash has a life cycle of 4 to 11 months. Healthy eyelashes can grow to around 12 millimeters and have a slight curvature.
Common eyelash concerns include:
These problems can arise from various factors, including irritating or drying makeup ingredients, excessive or unskilled makeup application, makeup allergies, forceful use of eyelash curlers, and rough makeup or false eyelash removal techniques. Makeup can irritate and damage the eyelash follicles, leading to excessive eyelash loss. According to Herbert, eye makeup can dry out lashes, causing them to break or become brittle. Damage and brittleness can also result from makeup allergies, excessive force when using an eyelash curler, or rough removal of makeup or false eyelashes.
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Certain health conditions can also contribute to poor eyelash health:
Blepharitis, an inflammatory condition, can cause clogged glands at the root of the lash, preventing it from completing its full life cycle. It can also cause itchiness and inflammation around the eyelid. Alopecia is a condition that causes hair loss in specific areas of the body, including the eyelids.
Thyroid conditions that can lead to eyelash loss include Hashimoto’s disease, Grave’s disease, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, pituitary insufficiency, and hypoparathyroidism.
Some medications may also encourage eyelash loss, including miotics, blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and antithyroid drugs like propylthiouracil and methimazole.
Eczema, a skin condition that causes itchiness, can lead to excessive rubbing, irritating the area around the eyelashes. Excessive stress can also contribute to eyelash loss.
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If you've been a little too rough on your eyelashes in the past, whether sleeping in your mascara or overusing falsies, don't worry! Here are some best practices to help you maintain good eyelash health:
Using an eyelash comb daily will help remove dirt and debris from the lashes, keeping the follicles unclogged. You can then moisturize your lashes with Vitamin E, castor, or almond oil to keep them soft and pliable. Herbert recommends using eyelash serums such as Revitalash daily to nourish and strengthen the lashes, which helps them grow. She also suggests that you can even apply the serum on top of your lash extensions if you have them, to minimize the risk of any potential damage. For best results, wear the serum under your makeup.
If you're experiencing eyelash issues, it can be tempting to layer on the mascara to improve the appearance of your lashes. However, try to keep irritants to a minimum to help your eyelashes stay healthy.
Proper makeup removal is essential. Use an eye makeup remover for eye makeup on a cotton pad rather than your regular facial cleanser or a makeup wipe. Gently dab your eyes rather than rubbing and scraping. To remove false eyelashes, soften any adhesive with eye makeup remover. Pinch the outer edge of the false eyelash strip and gently pull away from the lash line. Keep your reusable false lashes clean by removing any lingering adhesive with makeup remover.
Making a few changes to your diet can dramatically improve the health of your eyelashes, along with your skin and your hair. Make sure you’re eating enough protein, leafy greens, and healthy fats to support healthy hair growth. You may also want to consider supplementing with biotin and collagen, both of which have been proven to improve hair health and will do the same for your lashes.
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Paying a little more attention to your eyelashes can go a long way. Still, you may be looking for a quick fix, especially if you’re experiencing sudden eyelash loss or excessive dryness. Luckily, there are a few procedures that can quickly improve the look and feel of your lashes.
If you’re looking for longer, thicker lashes, eyelash extensions are a good alternative to false lashes. An aesthetician will add individual lashes to the eyelid, rather than one long strip, giving you a more natural look that lasts for up to a month. If you do opt for this procedure, remember to take extra care of your lashes. According to Herbert, maintenance is key for long-lasting effects. Remember to use an eyelash comb and never try to pick at your extensions.
A lash lift can give you the results of eyelash extensions with your own natural lashes. It’s kind of like a perm for your eyes. A lash lift is a 45-minute procedure. An aesthetician will use adhesive and a curling tool to press your eyelashes up, making them look longer and thicker.
If you suspect a more serious condition is contributing to eyelash loss, it’s important to speak with a medical professional. If you experience sudden or ongoing eyelash loss, see your doctor to determine the best course of treatment.
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