Losing eyelashes can be painful, but a certain amount of it is actually quite normal. So how many eyelashes do you lose in a day? If all goes well, the number is very small. In some cases, however, eyelash loss may indicate that you are not being gentle enough with your eyelashes or that you have an underlying health problem. This post explores everything you need to know about eyelash loss.
IS LOSS OF EYELASHES NORMAL?
Our eyelashes go through a cycle of growth and shedding, so losing a few lashes a day is completely normal. If you notice a few lashes falling on your cheeks during the day or coming off your cotton pad at the end of the night, there’s no need to worry.
In fact, losing an eyelash is usually a sign that you have a hair follicle moving into its anagen phase, which is the phase when a new eyelash begins to grow. For this to happen, the old eyelash that no longer grows must first fall out.
However, if you are losing a lot of eyelashes every day, you may be experiencing abnormal eyelash loss, which may require some action. This post explains what can cause eyelash loss and what to do depending on the cause.
AVERAGE DAILY LOSS OF EYELASHES
According to American Academy of Ophthalmology, losing between one and five eyelashes daily is normal. This number is probably approximate, as the topic has not been closely investigated in the academic literature. If you lose more than five lashes one day but only one or two lashes on a different day, there’s probably nothing to worry about.
WHY DO MY EYELASHES FALL?
Depending on how many eyelashes you lose per day, any of the following could be the reason:
Your natural eyelash cycle
The main reason eyelashes fall out is simply because they reach the end of their life cycle and need to fall out for a new lash to take their place. This is a natural and necessary process that you should not worry about.
Excessive friction
Eyelashes can also fall out prematurely due to too much friction or friction. Sources of friction can be anything from how often you rub your eyes to whether you sleep with your face buried in your pillow.
Mascara (and how you remove it)
Mascara, especially waterproof mascara, is the main culprit for excessive lash loss. Research shows that wearing mascara often over the course of a few years equates to more eyelash loss. Additionally, incorrect mascara removal, such as trying to remove waterproof mascara with water, can lead to even more significant lash loss.
Treatments and Medicines
Certain medical treatments can affect the body in ways that lead to eyelash loss, sometimes along with hair loss from other parts of the body. This includes chemotherapy treatments, certain anticoagulants, hormone medications, and more. These treatments are often lifesaving, so talk to your doctor about possible ways to mitigate treatment-induced eyelash loss.
Health Conditions
Many health conditions can lead to eyelash loss and they are quite different. They include skin and eye conditions such as blepharitis, psoriasis, dermatitis, lupus, hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism, and even some types of cancer. Mental health conditions can also lead to trichotillomania, which results in compulsive pulling of hair or eyelashes.
It is important to treat the underlying cause of all these health conditions. If you experience severe eyelash loss, hair loss or skin irritation, talk to your doctor.
WHEN SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED ABOUT EYELASH LOSS?
There are a few situations in which you should be concerned about unusual eyelash loss and consider talking to your doctor:
- Your lash line becomes visibly thinner or with noticeable bald patches due to eyelash loss.
- You also lose hair from other parts of the body, such as the eyebrows or head.
- You experience skin or eye irritation that may be related to the loss of your eyelashes.
- You experience other health symptoms, including fatigue or stress.
TIPS TO KEEP YOUR EYELASHES HEALTHY
There are many small things you can do to keep your eyelashes healthy and prevent eyelash loss. Here are our top tips:
- For even greater protection, wear a 3D sleep mask at night to create a barrier around your lashes.
- Use a nutrient eyelash serum to promote better eyelash growth.
- Make sure you eat a healthy and nutritionally complete diet with lots of vegetables, sources of protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats.
- Prioritize your mental health and find ways to reduce the sources of stress in your life.
- If necessary, talk to your doctor about your eyelash loss.
FAREWELL FAREWELL
Eyelash loss is not always a cause for concern. Losing between one and five eyelashes a day is normal as part of your natural eyelash cycle. However, losing more lashes than this on a consistent basis can be a sign that something is wrong. To preserve your eyelashes, be sure to take care of them gently and talk to your doctor if you think you have an underlying health problem.