Eyelashes Falling Out? We Know Why – The Lash Shedding Cycle
Help! Why are my lash extensions falling out?
Did you know that you naturally lose eyelashes every day?! 😲 Don’t fret, eyelashes grow and fall out in cycles, just like the rest of your hair.
Every hair on your body follows a specific growth cycle, including eyelashes. Lash shedding is a natural and healthy part of the hair growth process and should not be cause for alarm—yes, even with lash extensions!
The Natural Lash Shedding Cycle
Your eyelash hair is constantly growing and shedding. Lash hair grows in three stages:
- Anagen Stage— This is the infant stage of lash development. At this point, lashes are thin and fragile as growth is just starting in the skin.
- Catagen Stage— Lashes are a bit stronger with more keratin, melanin and protein. They are more prominent through the surface of the skin and are becoming thicker, longer and stronger. This is the ideal stage to for your stylist at The Lash Lounge to attach lash extension as it is the longest stage of growth with better opportunities for stronger retention.
- Telogen Stage— Now the eyelashes are fully grown and happy! During this phase, your lashes are enjoying the memories of a long and happy life as they are resting and preparing for their transition of release. These are great lashes to attach extensions to as they are the more developed but they are also losing their strength as they are preparing for the shedding process. The early anagen hair is currently in development and working to push the Telogen lash out for its next cycle.
Fortunately, your lashes aren’t all on the same shedding cycle—this means that *most* of the time, you’re unlikely to notice them shedding over time!
BUT there ARE two lash shedding seasons when you’re more likely to lose lashes. If you’ve ever noticed how your hair sheds more during certain seasons, you’re not alone! This is called “seasonal molting,” and it’s completely natural.
When Are The Lash Shedding Seasons?
There are two major shedding cycles associated with lash extensions: Fall and Spring. The biggest reason behind our lash shedding comes from the seasonal adjustments and the role it play on our bodies.
As we all know, the Fall season brings about cooler temperatures. Naturally, cooler temps introduce drier climates. These drier results affect the hair on our bodies including our lashes. The powerhouse of nutrients (the sebaceous glands in the ocular muscles) become a bit more dehydrated causing a shrinkage of the gland. This effects the performance and retention for natural lashes. The natural lashes recognize the change and make the necessary adjustments after a shedding cycle of the weaker lashes.
The same thing happens in the Spring season as the weather gets warmer. The glands expand in response to the warmer temps causing the weaker lashes to shed in preparation of the new season.
Bet you never knew there was such thing as lash shedding seasons! Here are some more interesting things about your lashes.
5 Fascinating Eyelash-Shedding Facts:
- On average, a person loses about 20% of their natural lashes every two weeks.
- Natural eyelashes grow in and fall out in cycles, which occur every 60 to 90 days.
- Wondering how many lashes are shed a day? Depending on their individual lash growth cycles, a person can typically shed between 1 and 5 natural lashes every day.
- A new eyelash has already been growing to replace the lash that falls out and, for most of us, we don’t even notice.
- It’s not just your lashes that shed! All body hair replaces itself at least every few years.
How Does Lash Shedding Impact Lash Extensions?
To help you get the most out of your lash extensions, stylists at The Lash Lounge apply extensions to fully grown and healthy lashes that are firmly in place.
When eyelashes are extended with quality, semi-permanent extensions (like we use at The Lash Lounge), it will be more noticeable when these lashes are shed. This is because they’re longer and often darker than your natural lashes.
But don’t worry, lash extensions should only shed when your natural lash has reached the end of its cycle, so there’s no damage to your natural lashes! Biweekly refills are designed, in part, to get ahead of the lash shedding cycle and ensure your lash line is always full and beautiful.
How Do Lash Extensions Work?
Even if you naturally lose some lash extensions as your lashes shed, no worries! That’s why The Lash Lounge offers lash fills. For a fill, your stylist will remove any overgrown extensions and replace lashes that have naturally shed. We want you to stay confident and looking your best long after your first full lash set. 💖
The Lash Lounge offers four lash extension application methods. This allows you to choose the style of your lashes:
- Classic—One lash extension is attached to your natural eyelash.
- Volume—We attach an ultra-light fan of 2–6 lash extensions to your natural eyelash.
- Hybrid—A combination of the classic and volume methods to give you a blend of fullness and texture.
- Mega Volume— We apply a fan of 7–20 of our lightest lash extensions to your natural eyelash (available at select salons only).
Avoid Premature Lash Shedding
Get the most out of your extensions! There ARE ways to keep your lash extensions looking healthy, longer. To keep them looking their best and avoid premature shedding, remember these tips:
3 Easy Lash Extension Maintenance Tips:
- Keep them clean—Remove any eye makeup at the end of your day to keep your extensions looking healthy and staying strong. 🧼 Remember to use products that are kind to your lash extensions. Avoid waterproof mascara and anything oil- or alcohol-based.
- Avoid excessive touching—To keep your extensions and natural lashes intact, avoid rubbing your eyes or tugging your lashes.
- Make lash fill appointments—The best way to keep your lashes looking lush and full is to visit The Lash Lounge for lash fills. We will clean up your look and make touchups to keep your extensions looking great. Due to the number of natural lashes, you shed every day, we recommend visiting us once every two weeks.
