Definition
Lashes, Latin Cilia, are generally referred to as the small, usually black or dark brown, slightly curved hairs that grow in a row along the edge of the eyelid at the top and bottom of the eye. They occur in all mammals. Their function is primarily to protect the sensitive eyes from any penetrating substances such as sand, dust, small particles of dirt or wind.
In addition, they are of cosmetic importance for us humans, since long eyelashes have been associated with beauty for many centuries. Normally the lashes have a life span of about 100-150 days. Afterwards they fall out and in their place a new eyelash grows back.
The entire growth cycle of an average lash is between four weeks to six months, with only about ten percent of our lashes in their final growth phase, the rest in their growth phase. However, if the lashes fall out abnormally, this is known as maradosis and is to be seen as an independent clinical picture. In this case the complete eyelashes are missing, but there are also patients in whom the eyelashes are only partially lost, sometimes in combination with a loss of eyebrow hairs.
Causes for eyelashes to fall out
The causes for eyelash loss can be numerous. Often the triggering factors in a specific case cannot be clearly identified, but it is possible to have the most frequently occurring causes clarified: Inflammation of the eyelid margin (so-called blepharitis; especially if it occurs repeatedly), vitamin deficiency, various skin diseases, alopecia areata (the so-called circular hair loss), congenital malposition of the eyelid, other medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation treatment, stress of any kind, scarring healing burns as well as traumatic processes on the eye such as a blow or impact. The most common eyelid skin diseases are pigment disorders, xanthelasma (= small superfluous fat deposits), infections with Herpes Simplex and other skin inflammations, which can often lead to a quite persistent loss of the eyelashes.
Also the small glands, which are located on and in the lids, can become inflamed and thus disturb the physiological development of the eyelashes and lead to their loss. Barley grains and hailstones should therefore, if they occur repeatedly, be examined and treated by a specialist, even if they are no longer painful. Blepharitis (a painful eyelid disease) or a painful conjunctivitis as well as an infestation of the eyelids with parasites can also cause the lashes to fall out.
One of the most common cases, however, is eyelash loss, which is caused by incorrect or excessive make-up on the eyelashes themselves. Thus some care products can attack the lashes or tear them out unnoticed by the make-up removal. Eyelash curlers or color for tinting the hair can also impede the growth of the eyelashes.
Since eyelashes depend on a sufficient supply of nutrients and minerals to grow evenly and vigorously, a lack of these nutrients can in rare cases lead to a loss of lashes. The most important vitamins needed for hair production are vitamins B, A, E, H (also called biotin) and the trace elements iron and magnesium. All the vitamins and trace elements mentioned above are taken in a healthy person through a balanced diet.
Vitamin preparations are only recommended in exceptional cases. Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, dried fruit, nuts and foods with omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, are all part of a balanced diet. If you eat some of these foods on a regular basis, it is highly unlikely that the reason for cilia loss is a lack of nutrients.
Mascara of all things, which is supposed to make the lashes look stronger, can cause eyelash loss. This is due to the fact that the mascara color contains ingredients that react very aggressively with the surface of the lashes in a chemical way. Therefore it is important to remove all mascara residues from the eyelashes before going to bed in the evening.
It is recommended to moisten the eyelashes with lukewarm water and let it work for about two minutes. Afterwards you can easily wipe the color with a damp cloth.If you rub too roughly, it can happen that individual lashes are torn off during cleaning. In general, one should make sure to use only cosmetic products that have been dermatologically tested and found to be skin-friendly.
Professional eyelash extensions are also offered in Germany. These do not have to be done by doctors, such as plastic surgeons, but are also offered in beauty salons, cosmetic studios or even hairdressing stores. The eyelash extension itself usually takes between 1-3 hours, depending on the amount of work involved.
About 40 -80 individual artificial eyelashes are glued to the natural eyelashes, which makes the eyelashes look longer and fuller and gives them more volume. This technique is called “one on one”. Such a treatment does not only lead to additional weight and pulling at the base of the lashes, but also attacks the lashes through the used adhesive.
In the long run this leads to an increased loss of lashes and induces affected persons to have their lashes glued back more and more often. The consequence is a vicious circle, which is best broken by not exposing the lashes to cosmetic treatments any longer, but leaving them alone for a while so that they can regenerate. This topic might also be of interest to you:
- Realash eyelash serum
- Eyelashes dye
- Eyelash extension
Pregnancy leads to serious hormonal changes in the whole body, which also affect the hair and eyelashes.
Many pregnant women observe that their hair becomes thinner and thinner during pregnancy or afterwards and finally falls out completely. Under these bald places many women suffer very strongly, even if this is not further dangerous. In addition to the stressful hormonal changes, the absence of the period leads to an accumulation of acids and toxins in the female body.
This can be counteracted by paying attention to a gentle, alkaline body care and a balanced diet. The lymphatic drainage, which is difficult during pregnancy, should also be encouraged by regular massages. A proven remedy against eyelash loss is to rub castor oil into the lashes and eyelash roots.
This is rich in vitamin E and thus supports a strong growth of the eyelashes. Applied twice a day with a small cotton ball it should prevent the loss of lashes. Babies and children can also be affected by eyelash loss.
In such cases it is often an allergic or autoimmune event. Typically, a so-called Hertoghe sign (= absence of the outer eyebrows and eyelashes) can be observed in people with neurodermatitis. If a person suffers from neurodermatitis, the eyelashes usually fall out during childhood.
Often these do not grow back then. Another cause of eyelash loss in children is the Alopecia Areata, the so-called circular hair loss. As the name suggests, this is a circular loss of hair.
The exact causes are still unknown, and there is no proven treatment option that helps. In some cases there is a spontaneous healing, in others unfortunately not. However, this cannot be predicted.
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