Reasons Eyelashes Fall Out (& What To Do About Them)

There might have been a time when you were thrilled to see a fallen eyelash on your cheek, not to mention the number of wishes that crossed your mind when you got hold of one. Indeed, wishing on a fallen eyelash might make you say "Aww," and one or two eyelashes coming out in a day may sound entirely natural. But what if you are losing more than that? What if your eyelashes start to look empty? Well, then it is high time for you to make a wish for your eyelashes to grow faster.

Apart from being one of the features that can be an essential part of your overall look, eyelashes have a natural protective function: Keeping your eyes safe and healthy. Similar to hair and nails, eyelashes also go through a natural cycle in which they grow, fall out, and replace themselves. In addition, the numerous makeup products you use on them will obviously make you lose some lashes every now and then.

However, if you experience a rapid loss of lashes, you should investigate why it's happening. So, here are some of the main reasons that might cause your eyelashes to fall off rapidly.

The ways in which individuals react internally and externally in the face of stress are countless. One of those responses to stress is eyelash loss. According to The Center For Dermatology and Laser Skin Surgery, the loss of eyelashes due to a surge in stress is called "telogen effluvium."

Now let's look into how stress works inside our body. When stress strikes, our body initiates a hormonal response, releasing a hormone called cortisol, which can affect many of our internal systems. The release of cortisol can impact our metabolism, causing it to fluctuate. However, it's also worth noting that these fluctuations can lead to hair loss, including the hair on our head, eyelashes, and eyebrows (via Ipsy). If you're dealing with stress and you're starting to notice that it's having a negative impact on you (including eyelash shedding), this might be a good time to look into stress-reduction techniques or consider talking to a medical professional.

Sometimes the reason you're losing eyelashes rapidly is a simple mistake that you repeat daily. Of course, we are speaking about your beauty habits. How many days have you gone to bed without removing your eye makeup? How hard do you rub your eyes to remove your makeup?

Of course, you will have to spend some time in front of the mirror removing all those products that you have applied, but sleeping with your eye makeup on is bad for your eyelashes because it can lead to bacterial infections, which (in addition to discomfort and other issues) can cause your eyelashes to fall out. On the other hand, rubbing your eyes vigorously for the sake of removing eye makeup can also weaken your eyelashes and eventually cause a rapid loss of lashes. Just as you have a proper procedure for applying makeup, there is also a proper way of removing it. Following those procedures while being gentle with your face is very important to protect your eyelashes.

Most of you might be familiar with the saying from the movie "The Karate Kid" (2010) — "Too much of anything is bad for your health." This is relevant to what we are about to talk about now. Undoubtedly, wearing makeup is not a bad thing. For some, makeup is an ornament that gives them confidence. However, wearing makeup can either make or break your appearance.

For instance, extensive use of eyelash curlers and eyelash extensions can make your lash line look empty over time. Using the eyelash curler for more than 20 seconds can irritate your lashes. On the other hand, the damage that is caused when you are removing your extensions is severe.

Another vital thing to remember when using products on your face is to use fresh products. Using expired natural beauty products on your face, especially around your eyes, is a major cause for your eyelashes to fall off easily because this can lead to bacterial infections.

Up until now, the remedy to control your eyelash fall is as simple as changing your beauty habits, buying fresh makeup products, and taking steps to protect your mental health. However, it is time to break the bubble and say that an underlying health condition can also result in eyelashes falling out.

Blepharitis, alopecia, thyroid conditions, and eczema are some health conditions that can cause poor eyelash health according to Healthline, resulting in rapid loss of eyelashes. Blepharitis is a condition in which the glands of the roots of the lashes get clogged, preventing the full cycle of the lashes. Alopecia causes hair loss and this can affect your eyelashes as well. Eczema causes itchiness, leading to excessive rubbing of the area surrounding the eyes.

If you think that you might be losing a lot of eyelashes due to a health condition, it is always best to visit your doctor and take the necessary medications. Other than that, what are the precautions that you can take to protect your eyelashes from falling abnormally? Let's look into some of them next.

Maintaining your eyelashes properly is the most vital lash health habit you should have. It is as simple as including a session in your daily skincare routine to comb, moisturize, and nourish your eyelashes. Combing your eyelashes has several benefits such as removing dirt from your lashes. In addition, regular combing of the lashes also massages the skin around the eyelashes, promoting growth.

The next step is to moisturize and nourish your eyelashes. You may use any kind of moisturizer that suits your face. However, using products like vitamin E and aloe vera and natural oils such as castor oil and almond oil on your lashes will promote growth as well.

Another home remedy that can be done to promote the growth of your lashes is to massage the area around the eye with your fingertips. It not only promotes growth but also helps to smooth the skin around the eye. And that is a win-win opportunity for you.

Although it might be a requirement for you to apply makeup daily, you should also take measures to give your skin some time to breathe freely. Applying makeup blocks our skin from receiving natural air and this is a well-known fact. Moreover, Skinkraft claims a majority of your daily makeup products may have substances that are too strong for your skin and can cause damage to its natural barrier, which can have an effect on the eyelashes.

Leaving your lashes without any sort of makeup will help them to be nourished and rejuvenated by themselves. This in return will help the lashes to grow stronger and prevent unnecessary loss of lashes. Although makeup gives us positive vibes we should also learn to spend a considerable amount of time without makeup. 

The one thing that anyone who wears makeup must know is the proper way to remove the makeup. We all know that our eyelids are extremely thin and sensitive. Therefore, the slightest damage to these can cause irritation and bacterial infection. No matter how late the night is and no matter how tired you are, it is crucial to follow a complete makeup removal routine from beginning to end. It's also vital to be gentle when cleaning or moisturizing around your eyes. If you can follow those simple steps, your skin and eyes will definitely thank you in the future.

As you can see, aside from any health conditions that may cause your eyelashes to fall out, the longevity of your lashes primarily depends on your daily habits. The more care you take for them, the more time your lashes get to stay with you and the more full and luxurious your lash line will be.