When I was a little girl, I made wishes on fallen eyelashes.Like 11:11, it was something small and sweet to look forward to; a chance for dreams to come true. I would lift the stray lashes from my cheek (or wherever they had fallen), place them on the tip of my finger and lightly blow them off. I assumed they would then find their way to the wish-granting fairy, and all my dreams would come true. Considering I never got a pony or married Justin Timberlake, I assume they got lost in the mail.
Nowadays, whenever I see a stray eyelash my only wish is that it would go back where it belongs! We only have so many eyelashes, so when one falls out (or we notice a patch of missing lashes) it’s easy to panic. But fear not, it’s totally natural for your eyelashes to fall out, and they will grow back!
The Eyelash Growth Cycle
It’s important to understand the growth cycle of your eyelashes to put your mind at ease about them falling out.
Anagen (‘Growth’) Phase
Your eyelashes spend about 30-45 days in this phase, during which time they are actively growing. It is interesting to note that only 40% of your upper eyelashes, and 15% of your lower eyelashes are in this phase at any one time.(Source)
Catagen (‘Transition’) Phase
The catagen phase begins when your eyelashes stop growing, but haven’t begun the resting phase as the hair follicle is only just beginning to shrink. This is the shortest phase and only lasts about 2-3 weeks. Your eyelashes are at their most vulnerable during this phase, and if they are plucked or forcefully removed at this time it will take longer for them to grow back.
Telogen (‘Resting’) Phase
After the transition phase comes the resting phase. At this point in time your lashes are fully grown, and the hair follicle has shrunk. It’s all smooth sailing from here, and your lashes can remain in this phase for 100 days before they fall out.
Keep in mind that because your eyelashes are growing at different times, it is not uncommon for a couple eyelashes to fall out at the same time. However, it is uncommon for all of them to fall out at once, or in large clumps. If that happens please see a doctor or a dermatologist, as it could be a symptom of an underlying disease.
So.. When Will They Grow Back?
This will depend on a few different factors. For the average person it can be about 1-2 months (or the length of the Anagen phase) before the eyelash is replaced.
However, if lashes have been forcefully removed, it will take much longer, as the growth cycle is forced to start over prematurely. Repeatedly plucking out your eyelashes, or causing damage to the hair follicles in other ways, can lengthen the growth time considerably. Damaged hair follicles can also stunt growth permanently or cause your eyelashes to grow back smaller or misshapen. (Trichstop)
Overall it will take about 1-6 months for your eyelashes to grow back, depending on if they fell out naturally or were plucked out prematurely. For the average person, whose eyelashes fell out naturally, regrowth will take about 6 weeks.
Worried about Lash Regrowth? Here’s a Solution
If you’ve been losing lashes recently, it might help to find out why (read here). Of course, if you are having trouble with regrowth, you can always use a serum like WINK to help. WINK is packed with essential fatty acids, which have been found to stimulate your eyelashes and encourage them to enter the anagen phase. WINK also contains a number of oils, like castor oil and argan oil, which have been proven to not only help your eyelashes grow but also keep them nourished and hydrated. You eyelashes will thank you!
