7 Tips To Help Your Eyelashes Grow Back Stronger Than Before

We all know how heartbreaking it is to see an eyelash or two fall out. Eyelashes, like the hair on our heads, are on a hair cycle where they grow and shed. You might lose a few more lashes than you'd like when you wash off your mascara, but losing a lash here and there is normal. Since we have limited eyelashes, losing one may feel like you're losing too many, but this is totally normal. 

A few reasons why you might be losing more eyelashes than normal include allergies that cause you to rub your eyes, or, especially during the winter, lack of moisture from cold weather which causes dry eyes. You might notice that your skin becomes dry in the winter, making you moisturize more throughout the day. The same thing happens with your eyelashes; your eyes dry out, causing the lashes to become brittle and weak.

However, if you know that you're staying hydrated and moisturizing but still notice you're losing too many lashes, you must consider other factors. You might be pulling your lashes out of habit, and if the lashes are removed from the root, they can take up to two months to grow back (via NVision Eye Centers). Regrowing your lashes takes time and patience, but here are a few ways you can help your eyelashes grow back stronger.

Makeup is a fun way to get in touch with your creative side with products such as eyeshadows, blushes, and colorful mascara. Unfortunately, while getting dressed up can be an exciting part of going out, having to wash off makeup isn't very exciting. A big problem most people who wear makeup have is not removing their mascara properly, especially waterproof mascara, which causes them to lose many eyelashes in the process.

When you remove mascara, you want to use an oil-based makeup remover, like a melting balm, to help break down the products. Mascara hardens on your lashes when applied, so if you rub them too hard with a regular cleanser, you'll do more damage to them. A melting balm is easier because it's smooth and creamy, so when you rub it on your eyelashes, you can do it gently, and it will melt in seconds.

In addition, avoid sleeping with your makeup on, especially mascara, so you don't get breakouts and lose lashes. Sleeping with mascara on causes your lashes to stick to the pillow, and if you toss and turn in your sleep, your lashes can fall out.

It's essential to allow your eyelashes to breathe and take a break from mascara at least once or twice a week. They'll be able to rejuvenate and heal during that time. On those days off, you can apply oils, such as castor oil or jojoba oil, to help their regrowth process. Oils are packed with fatty acids that nourish the skin, so if applied to the eyelashes, they'll be able to moisturize and strengthen the hair fibers. The goal is to repair the keratin, a protein that builds the eyelashes, and then keep them strong.

Like most skincare products, you want to ensure you don't get an allergic reaction to the new products you use. Therefore, you want to patch-test the oil on a small part of your skin to see how it reacts. If you don't get a reaction, you're in the clear to use it on your eyelashes, but if you notice a change in skin color or texture, you don't want to apply it on the lashes. It's crucial to remember that when you use the oil, avoid letting the oil fall into your eyes to prevent irritation. Applying the oil with a cotton swab on clean lashes is best.

Eyelashes are extremely powerful because they help keep debris and dust from getting into your eyes. By cleaning your eyelashes and the area around them daily, you'll prevent the glands on your eyelids from getting clogged with the moisturizers you use. In addition, regularly washing the lashes will get rid of any dirt and buildup from the day that can cause irritation and infections.

Practicing eyelash care is just as crucial as nail care and skincare, and it can help them grow stronger. Make it a part of your skincare routine, and it will add a few extra seconds. However, it'll be worth the time when you start seeing results. After you wash your eyelashes, pat dry them with a clean cloth towel, and brush them with a spoolie to separate and distribute the natural oils the lashes release. Plus, it helps avoid breakage. Win-win!

If natural oils irritate your skin, try using a lash serum. They help promote growth and keep the lashes strong. There are various lash serums online, and they're all made with different ingredients (some could be harmful), so it's essential to test those out to see how your eyes will react. Then, apply a coat of the lash serum to your lash line, and if you feel instant irritation, immediately wash your eyes with gentle soap to remove the serum. When looking for a lash serum, look for one with amino acid and peptide ingredients that will stimulate the growing process, giving you long, thick, lashes.

Most lash serums will come with an applicator brush, but purchasing single-use spoolies will minimize bacteria or fungal contamination that could cause infections. If you decide to reuse the brush that comes with the serum, you can always rinse the brush or wash it with gentle soap. Remember that your lashes are at a small risk of falling out or becoming brittle again once you stop using the lash serum. 

Stress can affect many parts of your wellbeing, especially when it comes to your hair. You might notice your hair falling out more than usual when you stress. The same thing happens to your eyelashes; stress can cause them to fall out. When your body is under too much pressure, it takes it out on your hair. The stress targets a specific area of your hair follicles and puts them in a resting phase, and after a few months, that targeted hair falls out. The hair loss is also known as telogen effluvium, a temporary hair loss that can be reversed, per DermNet. The hair can grow back when the stress goes away, but it takes time. So, write out potential stressors if you're losing hair on your scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes.

Reducing your stress levels can help alleviate hair loss. A few ways to help reduce stress include taking a few moments to practice your breathing, reducing your screen time, cleaning your space, and doing some self-care. Even just five minutes a day doing something that makes you happy can make your stress go away. 

Eating healthy has various benefits in addition to keeping your body well-nourished. It helps promote hair growth and provides the nutrients your eyelashes need to keep them strong. Your hair can fall out when you're not consuming the proper food containing the right vitamins. In particular, eating foods rich in protein (including meat, fish, poultry, dairy, and eggs) and iron (nuts, legumes, and dark green leafy vegetables) can strengthen your eyelashes as they begin to grow back. Foods that contain fatty acids, in particular, are a great source of protein that is perfect for your eyelashes.

For extra nutritional support, consuming more biotin will ensure healthy and strong hair. For example, nuts, seeds, eggs, fish, and sweet potatoes contain biotin. There are also biotin supplements you can take, but if you'd rather receive the nutrients from your food, it can benefit your overall health. If you're not much of a cook, this can be a great start to enhancing your cooking skills. Find healthy and easy recipes online that you'll enjoy and have fun making. Try cooking a couple of times a week and track your lash growth. On the other hand, if you cook regularly at home, you can incorporate new ingredients you've never used before that can benefit your lashes.

If you're eating all the right foods and applying your lash serum but aren't seeing results, taking a few supplements can help encourage your eyelashes to grow. Like biotin, collagen is a great supplement to take that increases the hair's building proteins, making them longer, thicker, and more robust. Collagen contains all the amino acids you need for your hair to regrow and be healthy. It's available in pills or powder that you can add to your coffee, shakes, or green juice. There are a few that are made in different flavors, and unflavored versions are available, too. Most collagen is recommended to be taken once daily to see results, per Healthline.

Your eyelash regrowth process can take some time, so it requires patience. To ensure you see results, track your lash progress by taking before and after photos after a couple of weeks. If you tend to forget to take your supplements, set the alarm for a specific time to remind you to take your vitamins or make your smoothie. Applying your lash serum, cooking with better ingredients, or taking supplements will give you the results you're looking for in your eyelashes.