Eyelashes are specialized hairs that form a protective barrier across the eye socket. Their primary function is to shield the eyes from airborne debris, dust, and excessive airflow, helping maintain the eye’s moisture balance. Like all hair on the body, eyelashes are subject to a continuous, cyclical process of growth, rest, and eventual shedding. Understanding this natural turnover is the key to knowing how often and why you shed these hairs.
The Eyelash Growth Cycle
The shedding of an eyelash is not a random event but the final stage of a biologically programmed cycle. This cycle consists of three distinct phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen.
The anagen, or growth phase, is where the lash is actively nourished by the hair follicle and grows to its full length. This active growth period is relatively short, typically lasting between 30 to 45 days.
The catagen, or transition phase, follows the growth phase and signals the end of active growth. During this time, which lasts about two to three weeks, the hair follicle shrinks and detaches from the blood supply. The lash is stable but no longer growing.
The final stage is the telogen, or resting phase, which can last for about 100 days. The mature lash rests in the follicle until it naturally falls out to make room for a new hair to begin the anagen phase. This programmed shedding ensures that the eyelid always maintains a full fringe of protective hairs.
Normal Shedding Rate and Frequency
The question of how often you shed eyelashes is directly answered by the telogen phase of the growth cycle. Because each lash is on a staggered schedule, shedding is a continuous, low-level process rather than a noticeable mass loss. It is normal for a person to shed approximately one to five natural eyelashes per eye per day. This rate means you lose about 20% of your total lashes every two weeks.
The total lifespan of a single eyelash, from initial growth to natural fall, is typically around 60 to 90 days. This continuous turnover means a replacement lash is usually beginning to grow beneath the shedding one. Losing more than five lashes daily, or seeing noticeable gaps in the lash line, may indicate excessive shedding.
Shedding can also fluctuate slightly with the seasons, with many people experiencing a temporary increase in loss during spring and autumn. This phenomenon, sometimes called seasonal moulting, typically lasts for one to two months.
Causes of Excessive Loss
When lash loss exceeds the normal range of one to five per day, it is often due to external factors or an underlying health issue.
External Factors
Mechanical trauma from beauty habits is a common cause, such as excessive rubbing, harsh makeup removal, or the improper use of eyelash curlers. Leaving eye makeup on for extended periods or using waterproof mascaras that require aggressive cleansing can also speed up shedding. Irritation and allergic reactions to cosmetic products, like certain mascaras or the glues used for eyelash extensions, can trigger increased loss.
Health Conditions
Various health conditions can disrupt the normal growth cycle. Thyroid disorders, including both underactive (hypothyroidism) and overactive (hyperthyroidism) glands, are a common medical cause, as thyroid hormones regulate hair growth. Other systemic issues include:
- Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that attacks hair follicles.
- Chronic inflammatory diseases like lupus.
- Nutritional deficiencies, particularly those involving zinc or iron.
- High levels of chronic stress, which can push lashes into the resting and shedding phase prematurely.