This is something that I’ve talked about before, but I get alllll types of questions about why and how some of you are losing lashes and what to do about it.
Madarosis (the medical term for eyelash loss) is something that affects millions of people, and occurs for a number of reasons- some of them benign, others more malignant. We recently published an article about the 4 common reasons for eyelash loss (that you can read here) but–like I said–so many of you were interested in getting more information on madarosis (whether you knew it was called that or not) that I decided to touch on the subject again.
Only this time.. in the form of your favorite childhood icebreaker game! The rules are pretty straight forward- we will give you 3 facts about madarosis and you choose which one is the lie.
Statement 1: Chronic Blepharitis is the Most Common Condition Associated with Madarosis
Blepharitis is the medical term for chronic primary eyelid inflammation, and is the most common condition causing madarosis. Other symptoms of blepharitis include itching, burning, photophobia, and tearing. Blepharitis can also cause a build up of crust along the eyelash line. (That’s some really lovely imagery, huh?) Gently washing your eye area and applying a warm compress is a great way to soothe irritation and inflammation. It may be tempting but DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES! This can cause further damage to the hair follicles. Be sure to contact your doctor as well, as they should be able to provide you with some helpful antibiotics.
Hmm.. truth or lie? Onto the next one..
Statement 2: Madarosis Can be Caused by Menopause
Did you know that about 50% of women experience hair loss during menopause? When the body enters menopause the production of progesterone and estrogen decreases. The loss of these hormones results in hair loss on the scalp and lashes. On top of the hormonal imbalance, additional stress can also contribute to hair loss during menopause as well. (Everyday Health). Isn’t being a woman so much fun?!
And don’t think that hair loss stops with your head. We’re talking all hair.. lashes and brows included.
What do you think? Truth or lie? Keep reading..
Statement 3: Mascara Can Cause Madarosis
Wearing mascara for prolonged periods of time can cause your eyelashes to fall out. The mascara manipulates the natural shape of the lashes, and weighs them down. Over time this damages the lashes and causes them to fall out. You should routinely give your eyelashes a break from mascara.
The Lie Is…..
Guess in the comments! + No cheating! This is supposed to be a game, people! ?
Statement 3! If you are experiencing eyelash loss, there is a good chance it is NOT coming from your mascara. While using a waterproof mascara can cause eyelash loss from the excessive tugging it takes to remove it, mascara by itself will not cause your eyelashes to fall out. However, the loss of eyelashes can be caused by a reaction to chemicals that are in cosmetics. In extreme cases, the allergens present in mascara can cause dermatitis and conjunctivitis. This can result in damaged hair follicles and eyelash loss. But just wearing mascara alone will NOT cause them to fall out. So don’t worry, your $20 mascara is most likely not the culprit here. (source)
And if you really can’t stand it, take your mouse and highlight over the above area to see the answer, written in white. You’ll find out which statement was a lie!
Takeaways: Madarosis (Lash Loss)
Luckily there are a lot of things you can do if eyelash loss has already occurred. We suggest using a lash enhancer like WINK to help combat the underlying issue of madarosis. You can also apply eyeliner and false lashes, or enhance other facial features to minimize the effect of eyelash loss on your look. (source) Be your own kind of beautiful.
