Eyelashes can grow back if pulled out, but it may take longer than 6 weeks or longer. This is because pulling an eyelash slows down the process of regrowth. While it's quite normal to lose 1-2 eyelashes a day, significant eyelash or eyebrow hair loss (madarosis) may indicate a more serious problem.
The time it takes for eyelashes to grow back depends on what caused the loss of eyelashes initially and the health of the hair follicle and eyelid. In most scenarios, it will take between 6 weeks and 3 months for eyelashes to fully grow back.
Eyelashes usually grow back after they're plucked. But new eyelashes need to be left alone for a while in order to complete the growth cycle. That said, plucking eyelashes for cosmetic reasons isn't nearly as common as plucking eyebrows. Some people pluck their eyelashes due to trichotillomania.
"If...you did actually damage the skin...you should see an optometrist." Even if the pain disappears immediately, however, Dr. Fusco recommends avoiding eye makeup for the next few days. But fear not: After just a few weeks or so, the eyelashes should grow back on their own.
If you want a natural way to repair damaged eyelashes, you might want to consider using an eyelash growth serum. A lash serum is a cosmetic product that makes your eyelashes grow. Hair growth is important because they go from being brittle, stubby eyelashes to long and healthy lashes.
Consistent applications contribute to accelerated natural eyelash loss and permanent damage to follicles. This can prevent new eyelash growth. Technicians or aestheticians with unhygienic practices can introduce harmful bacteria to your eyes.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, if the eyelashes get singed but the hair follicles are still intact, the lashes will usually grow back in 6 weeks. However, if the hair follicles were also damaged, the eyelashes might not grow back.
Pulling out eyelashes can signal an underlying anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder. It can cause eye problems or complications. Pulling out eyelashes can be a symptom of trichotillomania but can also be brought on by stress. Without treatment, the behavior will likely continue.
Trichotillomania. This condition is an impulse control disorder caused by anxiety or stress. Often called “hair-pulling disorder,” people with trichotillomania have the irresistible urge to pull out their own hair, eyelashes or eyebrows.
Conditions that may prevent or change eyelash regrowth include: Damaged eyelid or lash follicles. The lash won't regrow if there's been permanent damage to the eyelid skin or eyelash hair follicle.
Additionally, women over the age of 40 go through menopause, with a reduction of estrogen production, which is vital for collagen production and healthy thick hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. With menopause, most women will notice changes in hair, eyelashes and eyebrows.
Eyelash Serum To The Rescue
The best thing you can do at this point is to invest in a bottle of daily eyelash serum. Eyelash growth serum was what helped me nourish and repair my lashes, leaving them stronger, thicker and fuller in as little as 4-8 weeks.
Although Vaseline does not make your eyelashes grow longer, it can help to keep your lashes hydrated by locking in moisture and, in turn, preventing lash breakage.
Vitamin-dense products like aloe vera gels, olive oil, and green tea can reportedly help grow strong, long lashes, while moisturizing agents like shea butter and coconut oil nourish strands and prevent breakage. But the most prominent home remedy for stimulating eyelash growth is castor oil.
Does Castor Oil Help Lashes Grow? "The answer is no as far as triggering actual new growth," Ziering shares. "Although castor oil may help hydrate your lashes and decrease the risk of breakage, unfortunately, it will not cause lashes to grow any faster or denser than normal," Marcus adds.
Trichotillomania, also known as “hair-pulling disorder,” is a type of impulse control disorder. People who have trichotillomania have an irresistible urge to pull out their hair, usually from their scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows. They know they can do damage but often can't control the impulse.
Trichotillomania (often abbreviated as TTM) is a mental health disorder where a person compulsively pulls out or breaks their own hair. This condition falls under the classification of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Leonardo DiCaprio. “Don't Look Up” actor Leonardo DiCaprio is believed to have trichotillomania due to openly sharing on multiple accounts of suffering from OCD.
"Missing eyelashes can be a sign of internal or external causes, such as autoimmune disease or trauma," says Heidi Prather, a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas. "Loss of eyelashes should be assessed by a board-certified dermatologist either in-person or by telehealth to rule out any treatable causes."
The Natural Route: "Use a natural lash conditioner like castor oil, coconut oil or vitamin e nightly by applying a thin layer on eyelid and lash line," said Madison. The Not-So-Natural Route: "Use a lash growth serum—like my favorite, Grande Lash MD—for extra length and fullness," stated the pro.
The lifespan of an average eyelash is three to five months, opposed to the rest of your hair which lasts two to four years. Eyelashes are the thickest hair on the human body. Most people have between 150-250 individual lashes on the top of the eyelid and between 50-100 on the lower lid.
Fill In Missing Eyelashes With Eyeliner
Black winged eyeliner is my go-to makeup when I'm on-the-go and is great for filling in missing patches.
Leaving eye makeup on for too long, using and removing lash extensions and using eyelash curlers (heated or non-heated) can all harm lashes and speed up shedding. Eyelash loss can also stem from allergies to mascara and from glue used to apply eyelash extensions.