Our eyes are the focus of the face. Every single thing we do pertains to making sure our eyes and eyelashes look their absolute best. So, as we age and our eyelashes begin to look stubby and thin, we are rightfully disappointed!
Changes in our bodies, certain hormones, and drying skin tend to be main contributors to thinning eyelashes. If it seems like thinning eyelashes is out of your control and there is nothing you can do, you are right but you are also wrong.
Continue reading for more information on why your eyelashes may be thinning and what, if anything, you can do and what you should know.
What is the eyelash growth cycle typically like?
Eyelash growth has three stages:
- Anagen
- Catagen
- Telogen
During the anagen phase, or the growth phase, our lashes are actively growing. There are two processes taking place. First, cells in the root of the eyelash divide rapidly to form new hair. Following this, the hair follicles produce melanin, which moves the hair shaft to give it color. At this point, the eyelashes are still attached to the dermal papilla or the blood supply. This process lasts between 30 – 45 days.
The catagen is known as the transitional phase. This phase occurs when the lashes have reached their predetermined length and the lash follicle begins to shrink. This process lasts about two to three weeks. If an eyelash is plucked or if it falls out, it will not immediately begin the growth cycle because the follicle needs to complete this phase.
The Telogen or resting or shedding phase, lasts 90-100 days making it the longest phase of the growth cycle. It is during the telogen phase when the eyelash will eventually fall out and a new eyelash should begin to grow back from the hair follicle. While shedding is a completely normal part of the growth cycle, as we age, our eyelash follicles can slow or simply stop producing fresh lashes.
Why do the eyelashes thin from other things? Is it from aging or something else?
Other reasons you may be experiencing thinning lashes aside from age may be any of the following issues listed below:
- Natural wear and tear: Scrubbing or rubbing your eyelashes when attempting to remove makeup can damage not only the skin around the eyes, but it can also cause your eyelashes to fall out and break. Over days, weeks, months, years, your eyelashes can permanently stop growing and cause thin lashes.
- Misuse of beauty products and mascara: Repeatedly applying waterproof mascara and leaving mascara on overnight will always make removing mascara a difficult task that can lead to thinning lashes after a certain point. The excessive tugging, pulling, and rubbing on the lashes can lead to thinning over time. Another misuse that does not help your eyelashes is keeping and using makeup past its due date. Using makeup longer than you should lead to bacteria and infection.
- Fake eyelashes: It’s easy to see why so many people gravitate towards fake lashes. Having the option to have perfect lush eyelashes at all hours of the day is a positive we can not ignore. Unfortunately, they come with a few issues that lead to thinning lashes.
- Weight of fakes: The weight from the fake eyelashes and the medical-grade glue can cause the eyelashes to become heavier than your lashes are used to, putting stress on your eyelash follicles leading them to eventually fall out. Another issue is as the eyelashes begin to fall out, people become impatient and pull the false lashes off, further damaging the natural eyelashes.
What could possibly be the solution to such thinning?
So, how can you combat thinning eyelashes? One product to use in fighting inadequate lashes is a lash serum, and Latisse is not a good, but a great option!
Latisse lash serum is the first and only brand name prescription treatment approved by the FDA to treat thin or sparse eyelashes by growing them longer, fuller and darker. Latisse works to extend the anagen phase in the growth cycle while simultaneously increasing the number of eyelashes that are produced.
With a simple once-a-day application using one drop of Latisse per eyelid, you will see a visible difference in as little as four weeks, with full results after sixteen weeks!
A prescription is necessary for Latisse. However, when you order from Skin Solutions a prescription is available and included after a quick consultation with our doctor. The most common side effects of Latisse are itching, redness, irritation, or dry eye symptoms. It is also important to consider, these side effects occur in less than 4% of patients using it.
Something important to note, if you want to keep your fluttery, longer, darker, fuller eyelashes, you will need to continue using Latisse or they will return back to their previous state of thin, stubby lashes.
To learn more about Latisse, click here and browse our site. If you have any questions we would love to be of assistance.
