Eyelash thinning or sudden, excessive loss can signal an underlying reason beyond normal daily shedding. Understanding these causes can help address the concern.
The Natural Eyelash Cycle
Eyelashes undergo a continuous growth and shedding process, similar to other body hairs. This cycle has three main phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen. The anagen phase is active growth, lasting 30 to 45 days, where lashes extend in length. Approximately 40% of upper lashes are in this phase.
The catagen phase follows, a two to three-week transitional period where growth stops and the hair follicle shrinks. Next, the telogen, or resting, phase begins, lasting about 100 days. During telogen, the old lash prepares to shed as a new hair grows beneath it. Losing one to five eyelashes daily is normal.
Common Everyday Causes
Beyond the natural shedding cycle, several daily habits and environmental factors can contribute to eyelash loss. Mechanical trauma, like excessive eye rubbing or harsh makeup removal, can physically dislodge lashes. Sleeping with makeup on can also irritate and damage delicate lash follicles.
Cosmetic products and practices are a frequent cause. Allergic reactions to mascara, eyeliner, or lash glues can irritate the eyelid and affect lash retention. Improper or frequent use of eyelash curlers, especially heated ones, can bend and break lashes. The weight of false lashes or extensions, or their glues, can pull on natural lashes, potentially causing traction alopecia.
Stress can impact eyelash follicles. Physical or emotional stress elevates cortisol levels, potentially pushing more hair follicles into the resting (telogen) phase prematurely, leading to increased shedding. Nutritional deficiencies, such as insufficient iron, biotin, and zinc, have been linked to eyelash thinning and loss. Some medications, including certain blood thinners and antidepressants, may list hair thinning or loss as a side effect.
Underlying Medical Reasons
Sudden eyelash loss can indicate an underlying medical condition requiring professional attention. Thyroid conditions, both underactive (hypothyroidism) and overactive (hyperthyroidism), disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to thinning hair, including eyelashes. Thyroid hormone imbalances can cause hairs to enter the resting phase too soon.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. While isolated eyelash involvement is rare, it can be an early sign. Eyelid inflammation, known as blepharitis, is a common issue leading to eyelash loss.
Blepharitis is characterized by redness, itching, and flaking along the lash line, resulting from various skin conditions or infections affecting lash follicles. Other skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis affecting the eyelid area also contribute to lash loss due to inflammation and irritation. Broader autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, may impact hair growth throughout the body, including eyelashes.
Infections of the eyelids or lash line (fungal, bacterial, or viral) can inflame the area and cause lashes to fall out. In rare cases, localized skin cancer on the eyelid can interrupt eyelash growth.
When to Consult a Doctor
Seek medical advice if eyelash loss is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms:
- Redness, itching, pain, swelling, or discharge around the eyes, suggesting infection or inflammation.
- Hair loss on other body parts, such as the scalp or eyebrows, indicating a systemic health issue.
- New, unexplained symptoms like fatigue, significant weight changes, or skin rashes.
- No improvement from changes to daily routines or home care.