How to Grow Back Your Eyelashes After They Fall Out

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Eyelash loss can happen for several reasons, some perfectly normal and some a sign of serious health problems. It is normal for one or two lashes to fall out per day because your hair is constantly renewing, but they should also grow back over time. This is considered your normal lash cycle. If not, you may want to consult with a doctor about why you're losing eyelashes at an abnormal rate. However, in the meantime, there are a few things you can do to help ensure that your eyelashes grow back properly, such as changing your makeup routine and keeping your face clean and free of eyelash mites or an overgrowth of skin bacteria which are often the cause of some lashes being lost.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Maintaining Eyelash Growth

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  1. There is very little you can do to make your eyelashes grow faster. Your best bet will be to simply keep the eyelashes from falling back out again, which means your focus should be on prevention and maintenance. Expect that it will take a while for your lashes to grow back in and that in the meantime, you will need to work to maintain that growth.
  2. Avoid wearing makeup . [1] If you know the cause of your eyelash loss was from something like chemo or hormone problems, don't worry about this. However, if your loss was unexplained, you will want to avoid wearing makeup around your eyes. There are two reasons for this. The first is that makeup does expire after a while and the bacteria it grows can cause your eyelash loss. Another reason is that some people are allergic to the ingredients in makeup and this make have aggravated your skin enough to cause hair loss.
    • Wash it off every night if you do wear makeup. This will keep it from irritating your skin and lashes any more than necessary.
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  3. Wash your face regularly. [2] Eyelash loss is often caused by an overgrowth of bacteria around the eyelids and face. Wash your face every day with gentle soaps designed for the face in order to keep bacteria under control. [3]
    • You also don't want your skin to dry out, since the micro-cracks that can form can cause even more infections.
  4. Eat a healthy diet . If you are eating a particularly limited diet, this can have an effect on hair growth and health. Not getting enough vitamin D, vitamin A [4] , and complete protein [5] can cause or worsen hair loss. Eat a well-balanced diet with a wide range of foods in order to make sure that your body has what it needs to make healthy hair.
    • Foods rich in these nutrients include fortified cereals, milk, carrots , kale , fish , and nuts .
  5. Overusing or incorrectly using an eyelash curler can accidentally pull out your eyelashes, especially if the hair is already weak. Don't use your eyelash curler for a while and see if this helps keep your eyelashes in place.
  6. There is a sea of bacteria on your hands and when you touch your face (to scratch, pick, wipe, etc), you're introducing this bacteria to your skin. Your eyes are very sensitive to bacteria and can easily become infected. By keeping your hands away, you'll help ensure that your eyes (and thus your eyelashes) can stay healthy.
    • If you find that you have trouble breaking this habit, try keeping a piece of tape towards the end of your main fingers. This will make you more aware of when you're doing it and help you to break the habit.
    • Find other ways to keep your hands occupied, such as playing with a rubber band on your wrist.
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Part 2
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Covering the Eyelash Loss

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  1. Before using makeup and other products to cover your lash loss, make sure that these products are not causing your lash loss to begin with. Talk to your doctor or experiment by not using any makeup for several weeks and then slowly introducing one type of makeup at a time, with about a week's worth of use for each product before moving on to another.
  2. Use eyeliner . Liquid eyeliner applied thickly and right at the lash line, can make it look like you have lashes when you do not or when you only have very little. Try to use a color that compliments your natural coloring. For example, black will look best with dark coloring, whereas brown will look best if you have light-colored hair.
  3. Use mascara . If you have some lashes, you can use mascara to make the lashes you have to look thicker and longer. Try to use a conditioning mascara to keep your lashes as healthy as possible.
    • You can even add extra volume by applying baby powder between coats of mascara.
  4. Apply false lashes . [6] If you don't have lashes you can add to, try using false eyelashes. These are cheap and readily available at drug and beauty stores. All you need to do is apply the lash glue (which may be included) and then place the eyelashes with a pair of tweezers.
    • You can even use false eyelashes if you have some eyelashes already. This is particularly useful if you lost eyelashes in just one small spot. Cut just a piece of the false eyelash and glue it where needed.
  5. Use makeup and makeup techniques that draw attention to other parts of your face. This will draw attention away from your eyes and toward your other features. For example, you can wear really bright lipstick to draw attention to your mouth instead. Another option is to use blunt bangs right at the level of your eyes. The bushy hair around your eyes will make it appear that you have more lash than you do.
    • You can use props too. Try to wear bright, thick-framed glasses to distract from your eyes on the other side of the frame, or a bold necklace to draw attention down to your chest.
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Part 3
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Treating the Underlying Causes

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  1. One of the common causes of eyelash problems is an infection called blepharitis. This is an overgrowth of bacteria on the face and can have many causes, from poor hygiene to parasites. The best thing that you can do to prevent this problem is to wash your face regularly. [7]
    • If your face is exposed to bacteria, such as if an animal licks your face or you wipe your face while preparing food, wash your face immediately.
  2. There is a relatively common disorder, similar to OCD, in which people feel compelled to pull their own hair. For most sufferers that means pulling the hair on their head, but some also pull their eyelashes or eyebrows. This disorder is called " trichotillomania ". If you think you might have this, talk to a therapist. There are medications and behavioral tricks which can help you stop and feel more relaxed.
    • Even if you don't think you have this disorder, it's best not to pull your own hair out for any reason. If you find you can't stop, reconsider if you have trich.
  3. Sometimes loss of eyelashes can be the result of physical problems far below the skin's surface. You might be affected by thyroid or hormone problems that limit or inhibit hair growth. Usually, you will see hair loss in other areas of your body as well, but it isn't guaranteed.
    • If you are young, you might have a serious health condition that is causing problems with your hormones. However, if you are older, above your 40s or 50s, this is probably normal. Even for normal hair loss, however, there are medications you can take so talk to your doctor.
  4. If you have hair loss only on your lashes, you probably have an infection. However, if you notice patches of hair loss elsewhere on your body (especially at the sides of your head), you may have a condition called alopecia. This is a relatively common disorder and causes hair loss all over the body. Talk to your doctor about treatments that might be right for you.
  5. If this problem is ongoing or reoccurring, you should absolutely talk to your doctor. Some eyelash loss is normal but excessive loss of lashes is usually a sign of other health problems. Some health problems can be very serious, such as problems with your thyroid. Because of this, it's best to talk to a doctor if the problem returns or goes on for a long time.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I encourage my eyelashes to grow?
    Karina Villalta
    Certified Esthetician
    Karina Villalta is a certified Esthetician and Owner of Oh Sweet and Sugar and Shears, a skincare and hair removal service located in Seattle and Kirkland, Washington. With over eight years of experience, Karina specializes in eyebrow shaping, a hair removal technique called sugaring, and organic facials. Karina started her career and was trained at Benefit Cosmetics Brow Bar. Since opening her own business, Karina ensures her clients are educated about their skin and helps them implement personalized skincare routines.
    Karina Villalta
    Certified Esthetician
    Expert Answer
    Make sure you wash your face and eyes every day to remove makeup and kill bacteria.
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  • Question
    How can I reduce eyelash loss?
    Community Answer
    The use of castor oil can prevent eyelash loss. Castor oil can also help promote hair growth — including eyelashes — if rubbed into the scalp.
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  • Question
    How long will it take for my lashes to grow back?
    Community Answer
    It should take about 4 weeks for ALMOST full length. If you think it takes too long, you can buy an eyelash conditioning gel. The gel will help your eyelashes appear longer.
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      Warnings

      • The homemade remedies described above help to stimulate the growth of naturally longer eyelashes. To obtain significant results, it is necessary that you follow these remedies closely. Although these are safe ways to get beautiful lashes, do not be tempted to view instant results.
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      References

      1. ↑ Alicia Ramos. Skincare Professional. Expert Interview. 12 June 2019.
      2. ↑ Alicia Ramos. Skincare Professional. Expert Interview. 12 June 2019.
      3. ↑ Karina Villalta. Certified Esthetician. Expert Interview. 19 August 2020.
      4. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2703143/
      5. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-health-11/eat-hair-type
      6. ↑ Alicia Ramos. Skincare Professional. Expert Interview. 12 June 2019.
      7. ↑ Alicia Ramos. Skincare Professional. Expert Interview. 12 June 2019.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      While you can't make your eyelashes grow back faster after they've fallen out, there are things you can do to keep them healthy as they grow back in and prevent more of them from falling out. If you’re unsure why your eyelashes fell out, you may want to avoid wearing makeup around your eyes, since some people can be allergic to certain products and makeup can introduce bacteria that causes eyelash loss. Make sure you wash your face every day with a gentle cleanser to keep bacteria away from your lashes. Try to keep your hands away from your face, since this can spread bacteria to your eyelashes. You should also eat a healthy, balanced diet so you're getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need for healthy hair growth. For more tips, including how to cover up your eyelash loss, read on!

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      • Marci Marella

        May 9, 2017

        "My lashes started falling out awhile ago, in the corners by the tear duct and the left eye I've lost more. ..." more
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