5 Ways You Could Be Damaging Your Lashes

We don’t know about you, but a long, full set of lashes is something we cannot resist. Over the years we’ve tried everything possible to get the longer lashes of our dreams, so we know a thing or two about lash growth and, unfortunately, about eyelash damage as well.

Though many of the common ways we achieve fuller lashes could be hurting us in the long run, there are still ways to achieve longer lashes and lash growth through healthy techniques. Let’s chat about it.

As all of us know from the occasional mini panic attack we have any time something gets in our eyes, the eyes are a very sensitive area. Though the occasional fleck of dust may fall in (or the occasional eyelash, ironically), eyelashes are meant to shield the eye from debris.

They function as a way to filter out sweat and the elements, provide a bit of shade, and prevent anything sneaking into the eyes when they’re closed. Though we see them more like a beauty statement than anything else, eyelashes are quite important for eye health.

Most of the hair on our body grows, rests, then passes and repeats the cycle, including brows and eyelashes. So, for those wondering if lost lashes will ever grow back, there’s certainly a good chance they will! Lashes do have needs, however.

It may sound cliché, but a wholesome and balanced diet is super important for lash growth and hair in general. Our body pulls B vitamins, protein, and vitamin E as well as moisture and other nutrients to feed our hair. Making sure we get a good quantity of greens and veggies, drinking plenty of water, and taking gentle care of our lashes makes all the difference.

Sometimes eyelash damage is obvious, and other times it may be subtle. When we touch our bare, clean lashes, they should feel soft, flexible, and have a bit of shine to the tiny strands. Regrettably, we’re rarely looking at our bare and clean lashes.

One of the most obvious signs of lash damage will likely come as no surprise. It’s lash fallout. This usually happens after the lashes have suffered stress through lash extensions or disagreeable products around the eyes.

Inflammation is another sign of eyelash damage that’s rarely paid attention to. For most of us, this can be as subtle as frequently watering eyes, to something more reactive like redness, itching, burning, and puffiness. These types of irritation often come from makeup or products applied around the eye that trigger an allergic reaction. They can also come from leftover products or debris in and around the eye, and exposure to chemical or toxic ingredients.

Unfortunately, there are causes of damaged lashes that may be out of our control, such as hormonal shifts, stress, and medication. But probably what inflicts the most damage of all are various beauty treatments designed to manipulate the eyelashes.

Lash laminations can dry out the lashes, while extensions can expose our eyes to harmful chemicals and put our lash strands under stress. Curlers can break and bend the lashes, often causing fallout in the long run. Plus, sleeping in makeup or using bad-quality products around the eye will certainly prevent longer lashes and lash growth.

Eyelashes are fun, unique, and beautiful – no matter how long, short, curly, or straight they are! Of course, natural lashes deserve to be celebrated in all their diversity. Here are some fun facts about our eyelashes and lash growth.

• The eyelashes in the middle of our eyes are often longer than the corners, likely due to the curved shape of the eyes and how the center protrudes slightly.

• Lash growth treatments primarily work by feeding the area with conditioning nutrients like vitamin E, keratin, protein, and B vitamins. So, yes, lash treatments can help with fuller or longer lashes.

• Mammals are the only creatures with eyelashes. But imagine how cute they’d be on other animals!

• Before we’re even 2 months developed – we’re talking, in the womb – our eyelashes begin growing. We’re glad nature sees how important this feature is to us, too.

• Modern-day beauty lovers aren’t the only ones who have turned to treatments and products for bolder lashes. Eyelash styling has been a trend since the Ancient Egyptian era around 4000 BC.

• Eyelashes naturally take a little under half a year to grow, fall out, and regenerate, but this process could be impacted by products and treatments.

• Though some sets of eyelashes may look fuller than others, we all have about 100 lash strands on the lower lid, and around 200 eyelashes on our upper lash line.

• Our eyelashes are an ecosystem of water, keratin…and mites. Yes, microscopic creatures are living in our eyelashes. At least in a way, we’re never going to bed alone.