Natural Lash Shedding
The loss of lashes often goes unnoticed for people without lash extensions as the natural lashes are so fine, but when you have individual lash extensions or fans attached to your natural lashes, it can become more noticeable.
Every hair on our body follows a natural growth cycle. Just like the hair on our head goes through a shedding cycle, so do our lashes. The lash cycle will continue even with eyelash extensions because they are applied to one individual eyelash. It is important to know exactly what the lash shedding cycle is, why it happens and how it affects lash extensions.
Each individual eyelash will reach a certain length, fall out, and then re-grow (Anagen, Catagen, Telogen). When a natural lash matures and falls out, a new lash has already begun growing and quickly replaces the fallen lash.
The average person loses up to 20% of their natural lashes every two weeks and new hair growth is constant. The average person has 80- 150 natural eyelashes per eye. Lash cycles occur every 2-3 months. This is why you will need to see your lash artist every 2-3 weeks. If you lose, on average, 5 lashes per day this is how many lashes you are losing every week:
1 Week - 35 Lashes
2 Weeks - 70 Lashes
3 Weeks - 105 Lashes
LASH SHEDDING SEASON
Our hair follicles go through “Seasonal Molting” which is seasonal shedding of hair. You may notice more hair loss in the Fall and Spring. With the new seasons, comes temperature changes and you may notice your extensions shedding at a faster rate than usual.
In a similar way that animals lose their heavy coat for the hotter weather, as humans, we also shed our hair (including our lashes) for the change in temperatures to come. Summer weather can cause some clients’ skin to sweat and produce more oils which will affect retention, and Winter weather with its lower humidity levels can cause lashes to become more brittle and fall out easier. In a regular lash shed cycle, we can lose up to 5-7 natural lashes per day, however this can increase dramatically in Spring and Autumn in preparation for the temperature changes. This is what’s referred to as ‘Lash Shedding Season’.
The loss of lashes often goes unnoticed for people without lash extensions as the natural lashes are so fine, but when you have individual lash extensions or fans attached to your natural lashes, it can become more noticeable. It is for this reason we need to make sure that both lash artists and their clients are educated on their natural lash cycle.
Unfortunately, there is no product that can stop nature from taking its course. You may need to see your lash artist a little more often during the shedding season.