Eyelashes don’t just enhance your beauty. They also play an important role in keeping dust and airborne particles out of the eye. It’s usual to lose the odd eyelash due to hair regrowth cycles and ageing, but losing more lashes than you grow means you could have a problem and one you need to sort out.
1. Mascara
One of the most common causes of eyelash loss is an allergy to mascara and eye makeup. As you rub your itchy eyelids you can dislodge your eyelash hairs, which can then, understandably, cause panic. Don’t use any eye products until the reaction stops and then gradually introduce your usual skincare and makeup to isolate the culprit. Over-enthusiastic removal of waterproof mascara is another cause, as is tugging at your eyelashes with an eyelash curler.
2. Blepharitis
Blepharitis is an ongoing condition. Inflammation of the eyelid can be caused by trauma, infection or an allergic reaction. One of the symptoms is eyelash loss. Good hygiene, regular eyelid cleaning and antibiotics or eye drops can all help to keep the condition under control.
3. Alopecia areata
This autoimmune disorder can cause any body hair to fall out, including eyebrows and eyelashes. It’s caused by the body’s immune system attacking the hair follicle, causing hair to fall out. Although there’s no cure for alopecia, hair can naturally regrow within 12 months, and steroid injections can be successful in promoting hair regrowth. Natural false eyelashes can look effective and help to combat the emotional issues that can be a part of hair loss.
4. Demodex
Imagine parasitic mites living on the dead skin in your eyelashes. That actually sounds like something out of a horror movie, but don’t worry, it’s actually quite natural and has no harmful effects. However, the mites can cause problems by attacking the root of your eyelashes, causing them to fall out. Keeping your eyelashes clean with baby shampoo and tea tree oil can deal with the problem, or your doctor may prescribe a specific gel or facewash as a treatment.
5. Thyroid disorders
Both an over and under-active thyroid can cause hair to become thin, brittle and eventually fall out. There are a range of thyroid treatments available that will solve the problem, though regrowth can be slow and sparse.
When to consult your local optician
Some causes of eyelash loss are completely natural or may be a result of treatment like chemotherapy. However, if you suspect that your eyelash loss is a sign of an underlying health problem like a metabolic or autoimmune disease then consult your doctor immediately and get to the root of the problem.
