It’s all in the eyes, they say. People can tell if you are happy, sad, feeling wonderful or anxious by just looking at the windows of your soul. When a woman’s eyes open up, she suddenly comes alive.
A CoverGirl survey found that if women were to choose only one makeup product, 50% would keep a mascara. For what would a lip tint do if your eyes look dull and depressing? You can make your cheeks blush but that’s not going to cut if your lashes, your ultimate glow enhancer, are not thick and full. But what if your eyelashes are falling out? How do you deal with eyelash damage? How do you make your eyes come alive again?
According to Forbes, 52% of women admit to visiting a salon for eyelash extension every four to six weeks. No wonder the eyelash industry has become a million-dollar venture all over the world. Women are not going to be put off by eyelash thinning and they surely will get around it one way or another.
But what could be causing it? What could be the reasons why eyelashes fall out? The answer could be in your beauty routine, your lifestyle, and your habits. Find out the unhealthy practices that might damage your eyelashes.
According to Forbes, 52% of women admit to visiting a salon for eyelash extension every four to six weeks. No wonder the eyelash industry has become a million-dollar venture all over the world. Women are not going to be put off by eyelash thinning and they surely will get around it one way or another.
But what could be causing it? What could be the reasons why eyelashes fall out? The answer could be in your beauty routine, your lifestyle, and your habits. Find out the unhealthy practices that might damage your eyelashes.
Be warned of mascaras
If you are the type of person that easily gets allergies especially from airborne materials such as dust, you should be extra careful of the mascara that you use. Most of the mascaras that are commercially available have harsh chemical contents in them, which is what might be causing eyelashes to fall out. As a result of the chemicals in mascaras, you may suffer from dermatitis and conjunctivitis. The former is a reaction that occurs when allergy-causing substances come in contact with the skin surrounding the eyes, while the latter happens when allergens flake off from the mascara and fall into the eyes.
Eyelash primers and eyelash dyes may also have the same effect and may trigger eyelash damage. Aggressive use of eyelash curler can also cause them to fall out. Make sure you use ones with a rubber tab.
Sleeping with makeup on
Any sensible beauty routine should include removing makeup before going to bed. When you have makeup on, follicles are not able to breathe and hair growth is compromised. Sleeping while you still have mascara on is also a big no. That stiff coating that hardens the lashes can result to friction against your pillows, causing the strands to break.
And please, don’t use old makeup on your eyes or your face in general. These products host bacteria over time, so be sure to replace them as instructed by the manufacturer.
Rubbing causes damage
Do not expose your eyes to dirt that will cause them to itch or get infected. The next thing that is likely going to happen is you rubbing and tugging them non-stop, not minding if you have washed or sanitized your hands. This can cause trauma in your eyes, which can be one of the reasons why your eyelashes fall out and why hair growth is delayed.
Pulling falsies wrong
When removing fake eyelashes and extensions, do not pull them out aggressively. If you don’t have a makeup remover, use a cotton bud dipped in oil to loosen the adhesive. But if you can do away with false eyelashes and extension altogether, the better it is for lash health.
The medical-grade glue that salons use to fill those falsies can cause harm to eyelash hair growth. If you use lash extensions, it is better to allow them to shed naturally rather than tugging them off. If you want a safer medical alternative for eyelash hair transplant, consult hair doctors and surgeons for a possible procedure.
Hair-pulling habit
It is medically known as trichotillomania tangle, an impulse control disorder. This condition is related to the psychological state of a person and could start as early as childhood. People who suffer from this disorder pull hair from their head, eyebrows or eyelashes. It is their way to release tension. This unhealthy habit on the eyelashes can be outgrown and hair can grow right back up. But in some cases, the hair-pulling habit can cause serious long-term hair loss and hair fall out.
Blame hormones and age
Maybe it is the hormones. It always is, isn’t it? In the case of hair loss in women, that seems to always play a part. Women in menopausal stage experience dwindling levels of estrogen, which slows down hair growth and may cause hair follicle destruction. Research has also established a connection between eyelash loss and pregnancy.
Chronic stress that causes hormonal imbalance can also cause lashes to fall off. Then of course, there’s the normal aging process that affects hair strength and hair growth in the body.
Immunity and thyroid problems
The autoimmune condition called alopecia areata is one of the most common causes of eyelash loss. This is a condition wherein immunity cells are attacking hair roots and follicles, causing hair loss in your body. A patchy hair loss is among the visible symptoms. This condition does not have a cure yet but creams, medication, and transplant can help.
Thyroid problem is another common cause. Underactive thyroid glands or hypothyroidism and hyperactive glands or hyperthyroidism affect a sufferer’s weight and causes dry skin. They also cause hairs to thin and be brittle.
Medication and treatments such as chemotherapy can also cause hair loss.
Losing eyelashes can be very traumatic and emotionally damaging especially to women, who invest on all sorts of beauty products and treatments to enhance their look. Eyelash loss can be triggered by a wide range of causes—from unhealthy beauty habits to serious medical conditions. Whatever they may be, make sure you talk to experts before it is too late.