Everything You Need to Know to Get Healthy, Long Eyelashes

While you may think that eyelashes don’t require much upkeep, it turns out they thrive with a little basic care.

This can help prevent:

• infections
• irritation
• inflammation
• eyelash loss

This is especially true if you apply eye makeup and false lashes frequently.

“Eyelash health is definitely important,” says KerryLou Herbert, an aesthetician at Omniya Clinic. She recommends “basic tips like gently cleansing and brushing your lashes daily.”

Eyelash facts

The human eyelash has a protective function. It’s designed to keep debris and dust out of the eye.

The lower lid typically has between 75 to 80 lashes in four rows, while the upper lid has between 90 to 160 lashes in five or six rows.

The lash itself is composed of the shaft, or the visible lash, the root, and a bulb, which connects to the blood vessels and has a life cycle of between 4 and 11 months.

Healthy eyelashes can grow to around 12 millimeters and have a slight curvature.

The most common eyelash concerns are:

• eyelash loss, or milphosis
• stunted growth
• dryness
• brittleness

These eyelash problems can occur for a number of reasons, including:

• irritating or drying makeup ingredients
• excessive or unskilled makeup application
• makeup allergies
• forceful use of eyelash curlers
• rough makeup or false eyelash removal techniques

Makeup can irritate and damage the eyelash follicles, leading to excessive eyelash loss.

“Eye makeup in general can sometimes dry the lashes out, causing them to break or become brittle,” says Herbert.

Damage and brittleness can also be due to a makeup allergy, using an eyelash curler with too much force, or removing makeup or false eyelashes too roughly.

Some health conditions can also result in poor eyelash health, including:

• blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelid margins
• alopecia
• thyroid conditions
• eczema
• prescription medications
• excessive stress

Blepharitis is an inflammatory condition that can lead to clogged glands at the root of the lash, preventing the eyelash from living out its full life cycle. You may also notice itchiness and inflammation around the eyelid.

Alopecia is a condition that causes hair loss in a specific area of the body, which can include the eyelid.

Thyroid conditions can lead to eyelash loss, including:

• Hashimoto’s disease
• Grave’s disease
• hypothyroidism
• hyperthyroidism
• pituitary insufficiency
• hypoparathyroidism

Some medications may also encourage eyelash loss, including:

• miotics
• blood thinners
• cholesterol-lowering drugs
• antithyroid drugs, like propylthiouracil and methimazole

Eczema is a skin condition that causes itchiness. Itchiness can lead to excessive rubbing, which can irritate the area surrounding the eyelashes.

Excessive stress can also lead to eyelash loss.

You may have been a little too rough on your eyelashes in the past, whether that be sleeping in your mascara or overusing the falsies. Not to worry!

Here are a few best practices that can help you maintain good eyelash health:

• Use an eyelash comb.
• Moisturize your lashes.
• Invest in an eyelash serum.
• Take breaks with makeup and false lashes.
• Remove your makeup and false eyelashes properly.
• Eat a nutritious diet.

Comb, moisturize, nourish

Using an eyelash comb every day will help to remove dirt and debris from the lashes, keeping the follicles unclogged.

You can then moisturize your lashes with Vitamin E, castor, or almond oil to keep them soft and pliable.

“Using eyelash serums such as Revitalash daily will help nourish and strengthen the lashes, which also helps them grow,” says Herbert. “You can even apply the serum on top of your lash extensions if you have them, to minimize the risk of any potential damage.”

You can also try GrandeLASH MD Lash Enhancing Serum, which is available for purchase online.

Wear the serum under your makeup for best results.

Give your lashes some space

If you’re experiencing eyelash issues, it can be tempting to layer on the mascara to improve the appearance of your lashes.

However, try to keep irritants to a minimum to help your eyelashes stay healthy.

Makeup removal tips

Proper makeup removal is a must. Use an eye makeup remover for eye makeup on a cotton pad rather than your regular facial cleanser or a makeup wipe.

Gently dab your eyes rather than rubbing and scraping.

To remove false eyelashes, soften any adhesive with eye makeup remover. Pinch the outer edge of the false eyelash strip and gently pull away from the lash line.

Keep your reusable false lashes clean by removing any lingering adhesive with makeup remover.

Nutrition

Making a few changes to your diet can dramatically improve the health of your eyelashes, along with your skin and your hair. Make sure you’re eating enough protein, leafy greens, and healthy fats to support healthy hair growth.

You may also want to consider supplementing.Biotin and collagen have both been proven to improve hair health, and they’ll do the same for your lashes.

Paying a little more attention to your eyelashes can go a long way. Still, you may be looking for a quick fix, especially if you’re experiencing sudden eyelash loss or excessive dryness.

Luckily, there are a few procedures that can quickly improve the look and feel of your lashes.

Get eyelash extensions

If you’re looking for longer, thicker lashes, eyelash extensions are a good alternative to false lashes.

An aesthetician will add individual lashes to the eyelid, rather than one long strip, giving you a more natural look that lasts for up to a month.

If you do opt for this procedure, remember to take extra care of your lashes.

“Maintenance is key for long-lasting effects,” says Herbert.

Remember to use an eyelash comb and never try to pick at your extensions.

Try a lash lift

A lash lift can give you the results of eyelash extensions with your own natural lashes. It’s kind of like a perm for your eyes.

A lash lift is a 45-minute procedure. An aesthetician will use adhesive and a curling tool to press your eyelashes up, making them look longer and thicker.

If you suspect a more serious condition is contributing to eyelash loss, it’s important to speak with a medical professional. If you experience sudden or ongoing eyelash loss, see your doctor to determine the best course of treatment.

Eyelashes go through a lot, so it’s important to keep them healthy.

Luckily, eyelashes have a life cycle. That means that even if you’ve had a mascara allergy or a false eyelash disaster, you can still follow a few steps to grow your eyelashes back healthier than ever.

With just a few simple habit changes, you can have the luscious lashes of your dreams.

Meg Walters is a writer and actor from London. She is interested in exploring topics such as fitness, meditation, and healthy lifestyles in her writing. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, yoga, and the occasional glass of wine.