Question. Did you know that eyelashes are hairs? This may sound like a stupid question, but the fact is that the hairs on our eyelids are made of the same stuff as the hairs on our head, and this is something that not a lot of people realise.
Just like the hairs all over our body, eyelashes malt and are replaced with new lashes – it’s just unfortunate that they end up in our eye and result in an eye-watering five minutes where we try and blink the fallen lash out.
There are certain times within an eyelash’s life cycle that mean great things for your extensions and other times which will require a little patience and care.
How often do eyelashes shed?
It is actually really common to lose up to seven lashes every day, but as they are constantly in a renewal cycle, this is nothing to worry about and generally, you don’t even notice.
There are however seasons throughout the year, specifically spring and autumn, where lashes will shed more noticeably. This is exactly like the process that animals go through, where they shed their summer and winter coats, ready for the next season.
What is the life cycle of an eyelash?
Each individual hair on your eyelid, like the hair on your head, goes through three stages of growth. The life of an eyelash begins at the anagen stage, where they are tiny and just poking out from the lash line.
Extensions can still absolutely be applied to your natural lashes at this stage, but it is important that the technician is gentle and works with very short, lightweight extensions. The catagen stage is the next stop on your eyelash’s life-journey, where they are about halfway to be fully grown and have a little break from growing. Their strength and longevity at this stage make it the perfect time to apply for an eyelash extension as it will last the longest it possibly can.
This is also known as the transitional stage because the eyelash is about to become fully grown and enter the final period of its life – the telogen stage. At full length and approaching its time to shed, this final part of an eyelash’s journey can be the worst time to apply for an extension as it will fall with your natural lash and end up somewhere on your cheek.
When is the eyelash shedding season?
Just like our furry, animal friends and their hair, humans lose their lashes at a faster rate during the warmer months to prepare for a change in temperature. This means that lash technicians may see their fluttery pieces of art last less longer than desired, but this is something that clients should be aware of is totally normal.
Excess sweating in the heat may also cause the lash adhesive to work less effectively as your skin becomes oilier. Top tip: this applies to workouts too, so keep sweat out of your eyes with a headband during gym sessions!
However, everyone is different, and some people may find that it’s actually the winter months that take their toll on their lash extensions. The cold temperatures and low humidity can make eyelashes brittle and cause them to break easily.
To combat this, there are small changes you can make, such as taking advantage of any winter sun for some Vitamin D and eating a healthy balanced diet – you know that healthy sheen your hair has when your diet is on point? You can gain the same effect for your eyelashes too.
What’s the best way to prevent lashes from shedding?
Keep them clean! Lash extensions should be cleaned every day at home, in order to keep them in tip-top condition and this especially applies to the day of your infill appointments.
Be wary that your technician will know when you’re lying as individual lash hairs within a fan will close up when they haven’t been cleaned properly! Beyond this, the only thing you can do it ride eyelash shedding season out as around the six-week mark, everything should start returning to normal.
We hope that you’re feeling clued up now. Remember, it is very normal for your eyelashes to shed and for extensions to fall with them, especially during the eyelash shedding season. With the colder months currently upon us, take care to look after your lash extensions and follow the advice of your technician.
