September is finally here! And what it means the Fall is here as well.
Leaves starting to change their colors, the Weather becomes cooler, Pumpkin Spice Latte is available at Starbucks again..
But the weather isn’t the only thing transitioning this season—your lashes are changing too.
As you know, lash extensions are individually applied on our natural lashes, and so changes in the state of lashes critically impact the appearance of extensions.
On average, people will lose between 1 and 5 lashes every day. This is because at any given point in time, you have lashes in every stage of growth—from baby lashes just appearing, to mature lashes ready to shed. A single lash normally takes months to complete its growth cycle, but in fall and winter that cycle can shift, and lashes may shed more frequently.
So why do lashes shed in the fall?
Why our lash cycle changes in Fall isn’t entirely known, but it’s thought that the beginning of this change actually happens mid-summer.
On average, the cycle of a single lash lasts somewhere between 60 and 90 days, with the active growth (Anagen) phase lasting 15-20 days, the transitional (Catagen) phase lasting 14-21 days, and the resting (Telogen) phase lasting 30-45 days. During summer, intense heat may trigger more lash hairs to go into the resting phase, halting growth, and causing them to fall out over the next month or two.
Additionally, changes in humidity that occur in the autumn months can play a role in your lashes’ growth cycle. If your skin is very dry, your hair follicles (located just under the skin) don’t get the nourishment they need for your lashes to grow. This causes brittle lashes that are more likely to fall out before their time is up.
Though there is no way to influence lash retention (or unfortunately, the cool weather), the good news is that this transitional period is short-term, lasting only 3-4 weeks.
That being said, there are some ways to protect your lashes in the meanwhile:
Book fills more regularly to maintain fullness. If you usually go 3 weeks in between lash fills, consider 2 weeks if you notice more shedding, and so on.
Consider going shorter and lighter. To ensure the smallest impact on natural lashes, it may be helpful to consider lighter, less weighty extensions.
Invest in a lash growth serum to help them stay nourished. I love Revitalash Eyelash Serum because it can be safely used with lash extensions. It conditions and nourishes follicles to boost the appearance of length, thickness, and curl of your lashes. Grab one during your next visit!
Take Vitamin D. Known to keep bones and skin healthy, in recent years, it’s also been linked to boosting hair growth. A 2012 study in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine suggests that Vitamin D can actually help create new follicles!
Please note, this shedding is both NATURAL and dependant on the individual. It may not affect all clients! As always, if you have any concerns or further questions regarding the Fall lash shed, please feel free to contact me!