Why Do Our Eyelashes Become Sparser and Shorter Over the Years?

Skin & Wellness Magazine

There is something about eyelashes that we almost do not think about when they are there. We apply mascara, comb them, sometimes curl them, and go on with our day.

But then comes the moment when we look in the mirror and feel that something has changed. The mascara no longer gives the same result, the lashes look shorter, and in certain places small gaps even appear.

So where did our eyelashes go? And can we restore the look they once had?

Eyelashes also have a life cycle

Just like the hair on our head, eyelashes also grow out of hair follicles and go through a cycle of growth, transition and rest.

Except that unlike scalp hair, the growth phase of the eyelashes is relatively short. That is the reason they reach a limited length and do not keep growing longer like the hair on our head.

At any given moment some of the lashes are growing, others are at rest, and some are shedding to make room for new lashes.

Shedding of a few lashes a day is a completely natural process.

Over the years, in some women, the lashes become thinner, shorter or less dense. Changes in the activity of the hair follicles can also affect the rate of growth and their appearance.

Does menopause also affect the eyelashes?

During perimenopause and menopause the body goes through significant hormonal changes.

Estrogen and other hormones affect hair growth cycles, and so changes in their levels may contribute to changes in body and facial hair.

However, the research on the direct effect of menopause on the eyelashes is more limited than the research on scalp hair.

Therefore, when significant eyelash loss appears, one should not assume that the hormones are necessarily the cause.

Maybe we ourselves cause the lashes to break?

Sometimes we invest so much effort in making the lashes look long and full that we forget how delicate they are.

Particularly durable mascara, strong rubbing while removing makeup, careless use of an eyelash curler and gluing on false lashes can cause breakage or shedding.

Eyelash extensions too, especially when they are too heavy or removed unprofessionally, can exert repeated pulling on the natural lashes.

If the pulling continues over time, it can damage the follicles.

I do not think we should give up makeup or beauty treatments, but it is definitely worth remembering that the lashes are not unlimited in the amount of damage they can absorb.

And what about inflammation of the eyelids?

One of the possible causes of eyelash thinning is blepharitis (Blepharitis), an inflammation of the eyelid margins.

It can express itself in redness, itching, a burning sensation, small scaling around the base of the lashes and sometimes in their shedding as well.

In some cases the phenomenon involves a proliferation of tiny mites of the Demodex type (Demodex), which live naturally in the area of the hair follicles.

When they multiply in large quantities, they may be related to inflammation of the eyelids.

If the lashes fall out together with itching, scaling or persistent irritation, it is worth being examined by an eye doctor.

Can the thyroid gland affect the eyelashes?

Yes.

Disorders in thyroid function can affect the hair growth cycle and cause hair thinning in various areas of the body, including the eyebrows and sometimes the eyelashes as well.

Conditions such as alopecia areata, certain nutritional deficiencies and skin diseases can also cause eyelash loss.

If the loss is sudden, significant or appears together with hair loss from the scalp and eyebrows, it is worth looking into the cause.

Does castor oil really lengthen lashes?

Castor oil has over the years become one of the most popular home solutions for eyelash care.

Countless recommendations can be found online to apply it before sleep to get longer and thicker lashes.

But what does the research say?

As of today, there is no quality scientific evidence proving that castor oil causes lashes to grow faster or lengthens their growth phase.

It can coat the hair and give it a shinier look, but that does not mean it changes the activity of the follicle.

In addition, oils that enter the eyes can cause irritation and temporary blurring of vision.

Therefore I do not recommend applying castor oil directly on the lash line or inside the eye.

And what about lash-lengthening serums?

Here it is important to distinguish between two types of products.

Cosmetic serums usually contain moisturizing and care ingredients that help keep the hair flexible and reduce breakage. They can improve the appearance of the lashes, but do not necessarily cause new growth.

Preparations with substances that affect the eyelash growth cycle, such as bimatoprost (Bimatoprost), can encourage growth and lengthen the lashes.

Bimatoprost is an active substance used in a prescription preparation approved in the United States for treating sparse eyelashes.

However, it can cause side effects such as redness, irritation, darkening of the eyelid skin and sometimes changes in the pigmentation of the iris. A decrease in the fat volume around the eyes may also occur.

Some cosmetic lash serums contain prostaglandin-like substances, so it is worth checking the ingredient list carefully and not assuming that every serum sold without a prescription is necessarily risk-free.

How long does it take for lashes to grow back?

If the hair follicle was not damaged, a lash that fell out can grow back.

But the process requires patience.

Usually a few weeks to months are needed to see significant growth, depending on the phase the follicle is in and on the cause of the shedding.

If it is breakage caused by makeup or a cosmetic treatment, stopping the harmful factor may allow the lashes to recover.

On the other hand, if there is a disease that harms the follicles or scarring damage, growth may be limited.

How can we keep our eyelashes?

There are a few small habits that can make a difference.

• Remove makeup gently: place a suitable makeup remover on the eyelid for a few seconds, instead of rubbing hard.
• Do not sleep with mascara: makeup that stays overnight can contribute to irritation and make cleaning the eyelid margins harder.
• Be careful with an eyelash curler: use it gently, preferably before applying mascara.
• Give the lashes a break from extensions: especially if thinning, breakage or irritation appear.
• Keep eyelid hygiene: use gentle products that suit the eye area.
• Keep a balanced diet: protein, iron, zinc and other essential nutrients are important for normal hair growth.

Can the eyelashes return to what they were?

Sometimes yes, and sometimes not exactly.

If the thinning was caused by irritation, breakage or a medical problem that can be treated, a significant improvement is possible.

If it is a matter of changes related to age or permanent damage to the follicles, it is not always possible to restore the original density.

But it is definitely possible to keep the existing lashes, reduce unnecessary damage and choose solutions that suit us.

And to finish — sometimes less care is actually more

I think the eyelashes are a good example of the way we relate to care.

We want them longer, darker, more curled and fuller. And on the way we sometimes load them with layers of mascara, glues, treatments and serums.

But our lashes are not there only for beauty.

They have an important role in protecting the eyes from particles and irritants from the environment.

Over the years they may change, just like our hair and skin.

And in my eyes, the goal is not necessarily to return every lash to what it was twenty years ago, but to understand what it needs today.

Sometimes it is a suitable treatment, sometimes a medical workup, and sometimes simply a little less fussing.

Because in care too, one does not always need to add something more to see a better result.

Skin & Wellness Magazine | OrOrgani

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