You take off your mascara and there are three or four lashes on the cotton pad. A few more turn up on your pillow in the morning. Suddenly you are wondering whether your mascara is to blame, whether you should never have slept in it, or whether something more serious is going on.
Most of the time, lash shedding is a normal part of how lashes grow, and the extra loss people notice comes down to everyday habits that can be changed. Sometimes, though, lashes falling out is a sign worth taking to a doctor. This guide explains what is normal, the most common reasons lashes fall out or turn brittle, and the simple routine that helps protect the lashes you have.
Quick answer: losing one to five lashes a day is normal. Heavier loss is usually caused by rough makeup removal, eyelid inflammation (blepharitis), lash extensions or strip lash glue, frequent curling, or a reaction to a new product. Sudden loss in patches, or lash loss together with eyebrow or scalp hair loss, should be checked by a doctor.
How many eyelashes is it normal to lose?
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, people lose an average of one to five eyelashes a day. Each lash follows its own cycle: a growth phase of roughly four to ten weeks, a short transition of about two weeks, and a long resting phase of four to nine months before it sheds and is replaced. The whole cycle takes about four to eleven months, so at any moment some of your lashes are growing, some are resting and some are about to fall.
A lash that sheds naturally has usually been replaced by a new one already growing underneath. Problems start when lashes break before they shed, or when they fall out faster than new ones can replace them. Doctors call ongoing lash loss madarosis.
Does mascara make your eyelashes fall out?
Mascara itself rarely makes lashes fall out. What causes the trouble is usually how it comes off, how old it is, or a reaction to an ingredient.
- Rubbing it off. Scrubbing your eyes with a dry wipe or cleanser pulls on lashes and snaps the weaker ones. This is the most common reason people see lashes on their cotton pad.
- Waterproof formulas. They are harder to remove, so they tend to need more rubbing. Save them for days you need them and use an eye makeup remover made to dissolve them.
- Old mascara. A tube that has been open for months can dry out and flake into the eye, and it can harbor bacteria. Many eye doctors suggest replacing mascara about every three months.
- Allergy or sensitivity. If your lids itch or swell after a new mascara, stop using it. Inflamed lids hold on to lashes less well.
- Thick layers. Coat after coat adds weight and makes lashes stiff and more likely to break when you remove it.
What happens if you sleep in mascara?
One night is unlikely to cost you your lashes. Ophthalmologists generally say that occasionally leaving mascara on is not a major problem for most people. Making a habit of it is different. Mascara left on overnight dries and stiffens, so lashes bend and snap against your pillow, and flakes can get into the eye and irritate it. Over time, residue at the lash line can also contribute to clogged oil glands and blepharitis, especially if you already have dry eyes or sensitive lids. If you fall asleep in makeup, remove it gently the next morning rather than scrubbing.
Why are my eyelashes falling out all of a sudden?
If you have noticed more loss than usual over a few weeks, think about what has changed. These are the most common causes.
Blepharitis
Inflammation of the eyelid edges is one of the most frequent reasons lashes fall out. It often goes along with crusty or flaky lids, redness, itching or a gritty feeling, and it is linked to conditions such as rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis and tiny demodex mites. An eye doctor can confirm it and recommend lid hygiene or treatment.
A reaction to a new product
New eye makeup, a different remover, lash glue, lash tint or a skincare product that has migrated into the eye area can all trigger irritation. Think back to anything you started in the past month.
Lash extensions, strip lashes and lash lifts
Natural lashes can break and shed early with any lash enhancement. Strip lash glue pulled off dry takes natural lashes with it. Extensions that are too heavy, or that are pulled or picked at, stress the natural lash they are attached to. Lash lifts and perms use chemicals that can weaken lashes if done too often. In the salon, professional-grade adhesive and careful, one-at-a-time application are very different from drugstore strip glue, but even well-applied extensions need a healthy natural lash underneath them.
Stress, illness and life changes
A significant illness, high fever, surgery or a very stressful stretch can push more hairs into the resting phase at once, so they shed together a few months later. Menopause and other hormonal shifts can also make lashes thinner.
Medical conditions and medications
Cleveland Clinic lists thyroid conditions, alopecia areata, lupus and some infections among the medical causes of lash loss, along with certain medications, including some blood thinners, some antidepressants and cancer treatments. Low levels of iron, zinc or biotin can also play a part. If you suspect a deficiency, ask your doctor for a blood test rather than starting high-dose supplements, since large amounts of biotin can interfere with lab results.
Pulling or rubbing
Rubbing tired or itchy eyes, often without realizing it, adds up. Some people also pull at their lashes when stressed or bored. If you find it hard to stop, trichotillomania is a recognized condition and a doctor can help.
Why are my eyelashes so brittle?
Brittle lashes break partway along their length instead of shedding from the root, so they look short, uneven or spiky. The usual reasons are:
- Curling every day, especially with a heated curler or on top of mascara.
- Waterproof mascara used daily and removed with rubbing.
- Strip lash glue and frequent extensions or lifts.
- Very dry eyes or lids.
- Sleeping face down against a rough pillowcase.
The fix is mostly about removing stress from the lashes and giving them time to grow back stronger.
The lash routine that helps
- Remove makeup gently every night. Soak a cotton pad in a gentle, fragrance-free eye makeup remover or micellar water, press it against your closed eye for about ten seconds to dissolve the mascara, then wipe downward and outward without scrubbing.
- Curl less. If you curl, use an unheated curler on clean lashes, never on mascara, and not every day.
- Give waterproof mascara a rest. Use a regular formula most days.
- Replace mascara about every three months, and never share it.
- Take breaks from strip lashes, and soften the glue with remover before you peel them off.
- Keep your lids clean. If your lash line gets crusty or itchy, gentle daily lid cleansing helps, and an eye doctor can advise if it persists.
- Switch to a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction if you sleep on your side or face down.
- Stop rubbing. If your eyes itch, find out why rather than rubbing through it.
- Nourish and strengthen your lashes with a gentle serum while they recover.
A gentle serum for lashes that need support
Shigeru Lash & Brow Growth Serum was developed for the lash artists in our Beverly Hills and New York salons, who see brittle, broken and thinning natural lashes every day. It is a prostaglandin-free blend of ten amino acids, the building blocks of the keratin lashes are made of, with Fo-Ti, a botanical long used in traditional Asian hair care, and soothing Blue Lotus flower extract.
- Gentle enough for sensitive eyes: we have used it on hundreds of salon clients with no reported reactions.
- Safe with extensions: it is oil-free, so it will not weaken lash adhesive. Apply at the lash line, not along the extensions, once your artist says the bond has set.
- Stronger base lashes: each extension is attached to a single natural lash, so a healthier natural lash gives it a better foundation. Our salon clients use the serum for fuller coverage and longer-lasting extensions.
- Results: used morning and night, most people see visibly longer, fuller lashes in about 30 days, with the fullest results at around 60.
To apply, sweep one thin stroke on the lid just above your upper lashes and just below your lower lashes, then let it dry for two to three minutes before makeup. If you are weighing options, our guide to the best eyelash growth serums compares ingredients and prices, and our article on whether lash serums are safe explains what to look for if your eyes are sensitive.
A serum supports lashes that are breaking or thinning because of everyday wear. It is not a treatment for a medical cause of lash loss, so if anything in the next section applies to you, see your doctor first.
When to see a doctor about eyelashes falling out
Make an appointment with your doctor, an ophthalmologist or a dermatologist if:
- Your lashes are falling out in patches or you have lost a noticeable section of lash line.
- You are also losing eyebrow hair or scalp hair. Thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows in particular can be a sign of an underactive thyroid.
- Your lids are red, swollen, crusty, painful or itchy for more than a few days.
- You have eye pain, discharge or changes in your vision.
- The loss started after a new medication. Talk with your doctor, but do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
- You have other symptoms such as unusual tiredness, weight change, feeling cold or brittle nails.
- You find yourself pulling out lashes and cannot stop.
Eyelash loss FAQs
Do eyelashes grow back after falling out?
Yes, in most cases. As long as the follicle is healthy, a new lash grows in. A plucked lash typically takes about eight weeks to regrow, and a full cycle can take several months.
Is it bad to sleep in mascara once?
Once in a while is unlikely to cause lasting harm. Make it a habit and lashes become stiff and brittle, and the eyes and lids are more likely to become irritated.
Can mascara cause eyelash loss?
Rarely by itself. The bigger issues are rubbing it off, using it past its prime and reacting to an ingredient.
Can lash extensions make lashes fall out?
They can, if they are too heavy, poorly applied or picked at. Choose an experienced lash artist, keep up with fills and support your natural lashes in between.
Do lash serums help eyelashes that are falling out?
A gentle serum can help nourish and strengthen lashes that are thinning or breaking from everyday wear. It will not fix lash loss caused by a medical condition, so get unexplained or patchy loss checked first.
When you are ready to give your natural lashes some support, shop Shigeru Lash & Brow Growth Serum.
Want more lash, brow and skincare tips? Follow us on Instagram at @shigerubeauty for new guides and tips as we publish them.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you have sudden or patchy lash loss, eye discomfort or other symptoms, please speak with your doctor or an eye care professional.
The Shigeru Beauty Team