We love eyelashes. Eyes are the windows to the soul and eyelashes are like a gorgeous frame that adds texture, focus, beauty, mystery, and sex appeal not just to the eyes, but to our overall persona. So important are lashes that we do all that we can to enhance and keep them. When lashes fall out or get compromised in some way, we all get a little anxious and become much more aware of time. How long do eyelashes take to grow back? How much do they grow a day? And the questions don’t really stop. I sense real anxiety over hair growth in general. Its rate, fullness, and quality. Much of it has to do with the fact that how hair grows is not well understood and this creates uncertainty and uncertainty is often the road to anxiety.
I learned a lot about hair growth when I accidentally cut off half the eyelashes of my left eye. I was trimming my brows with cuticle scissors and wanting to be exact I had my eyes wide open, which meant that my own natural and very long lashes were touching my brows. So focused I was on the brow trimming I noticed one snip too late that I had taken off a very noticeable chunk of my lashes. Total accident and total learning opportunity. Not only did I learn a lot about hair growth and eyelashes I also learned that some things are better left to experts. In this case, I promised myself to stick to science and product development and leave eyebrow trimming and threading to my aesthetician.
Thus, from experience, I can say that it is difficult to really know how long hair or eyelashes take to grow back. Its not just a matter of how hair grows and falls out, it’s more complex than this. Simply because the hair growth cycle has 3 distinct phases and anywhere from 25 – 50% of hair is in any one of these stages. So not all hair is in active growth at any time. Some hair is dormant and some are on its way out.
Eyelashes grow pretty much in the same way as the rest of our hair. The growth cycle for hair has been shown and categorized by 3 different stages. First is the active growth or Anagen stage, a secondary transition phase called Catagen, and a final resting stage called Telogen. To complete a full hair growth cycle depends on many factors and can take from 4 to 12 months. Like our metabolism, the speed at which our hair goes through each cycle depends on our age and health. Age, lifestyle, and health cannot be ignored when assessing how fast or slowly you see results or in this case, longer fuller lashes.
In the anagen phase, the hair is attached to the blood supply of the dermal papilla, which feeds the hair and helps it grow. About 1/3 of the upper and half of your lower lashes are in this stage at any one time. Which is a good thing, because this will ensure that you don’t lose all your lashes when the hair goes through the telogen phase. This stage lasts from 4 to 10 weeks and the hair can grow up to 0.14mm per day. Consequently, the longer your lashes stay in this phase the longer they will grow.
In the catagen phase, the hair detaches from the blood supply, the follicle shrinks, and the hair stops growing. This is a transitional stage where hair keeps its length and hangs around waiting for the next phase. This stage is short and lasts from 2 to 3 weeks. If hair unnaturally falls out during this stage the follicle will remain empty until it completes its phase and moves onto the telogen phase. Therefore, at times we see that we have an empty or bald spot until the follicle reaches the anagen phase again – which always takes too long. So regardless of the hair growth cycle stage, it’s important to not pull or force out any hair before its time (especially eyelashes). This is a good stage to condition and fortifies the hair with conditioning agents that can add volume, flexibility, and resilience to the hair.
In the telogen phase, the hair is at rest and sits dormant within the follicle as new anagen hair begins to grow inside the follicle naturally pushing and shedding the old hair out. This stage lasts between 3-4 months and up to half of your hair can be in this shedding phase at one time. This often explains why we see more hair falling out at certain times over other times.
How quickly hair comes back truly depends on what stage of the growth cycle your hair is in as well as the health of the hair follicle. Both these elements coupled with your own health all play a role in the rate and quality of hair growth. Expect hair to regrow anywhere from 6 to 32 weeks, which is a large range but totally logical when considering how hair grows in different stages and not all at the same time (thank goodness).
Look for serums that slow down the shed rate and maximize the conditioning stage. Many formulas are available. Via prescription Latisse, an FDA-approved serum has bimatoprost, an ingredient that prolongs the growing stage.
Pros: proven hair regrowth
Cons: expensive, hard to work with (may discolor skin and eye colour) by prescription.
Another alternative is Eye Envee mascara hair growth treatment.
Pros: mascara and treatment in one. Easy to use.
Cons: not proven results.
Finally, my personal choice is Stem Genesis Extreme Eye Lash Enhancer from Isomers Laboratories. Formulated with phyto-cel-tec and peptides. Pros: Proven hair growth. Fast, visible results within the first 28 days!!! Fuller, thicker, longer visible lashes. Strengthens, hydrates and protects lashes against future breakage. Skin-friendly, easy to use and very affordable. Cons: Only available online, limited online retail outlets.
Do not use harsh removers or aggressively tug and pull on the eyelashes. Instead, opt for well-formulated cleansers without drying alcohol and avoid using waterproof mascara that is removable only by vigorous force.
Frequent use of eyelash curlers can weaken lashes and reduce their density. Another all-too-common mistake is accidentally pulling out lashes with curlers we forget to release when curling. My tip: minimize exposure to lash curlers. And when you do use them, pay attention so you don’t accidentally pull-out lashes or damage follicles. On the positive side, many mascaras exist that can lift and curl the lashes just by how you apply it. That is, starting from the root to top in an upward motion. With practice a good application technique can add enough lift and curl to forgo the lash curler. I don’t trust myself to use a lash curler, again experience being a great teacher.
Nothing beats a healthy well-balanced diet. Feeding your body well will also feed your connective tissue including your hair, skin and nails from within. Better nutrition includes eating leavy green veggies, fresh fruit and some meat, fish, or dairy. Stay away from processed foods, truly they can rob you of nutrients while exposing you to unhealthy fats and sugars. If you have a sporadic diet or struggle to eat a well-balanced diet add good-quality supplements. Personally, I opt for real food before going the supplement route. Supplements are not a substitute for fresh in-season fruits, legumes, nuts and vegetables. Food intake and quality all contribute to the overall health and radiance of your hair, skin, and nails.
In conclusion, understanding the process of eyelash growth and the factors that influence it is essential for maintaining healthy and beautiful lashes. So, how long do eyelashes take to grow back? Generally, it takes around 4 to 8 weeks for them to regrow, depending on the individual and the underlying causes of the loss. By following a proper eyelash care routine, maintaining a balanced diet, and using growth-enhancing products, you can support the natural regeneration of your lashes. However, if you continue to experience excessive eyelash loss or delayed regrowth, it is crucial to consult with a medical professional to identify and address the root cause. With patience, care, and the right approach, you can ensure your eyelashes grow back healthy and strong, framing your eyes with the beauty they deserve.