What Can You Do to Avoid Thinning Eyelashes?

Since as early as the 1800s, big eyelashes have been trendy. Long eyelashes instantly and significantly improve the appearance of your eyes by making them look more youthful, brighter, and bigger while also bringing out the color of the irises. Although they have this big impact on your physical appearance, your eyelashes are more than just cosmetic. They also serve an important purpose for your body. Eyelashes act as the first line of defense for your eyes by preventing debris and foreign irritants such as airborne dirt, dust, lint, and other materials from getting into the vulnerable eye tissues and obstructing your vision or causing infections or injuries. Eyelashes can also sense when harmful objects are close by and warn the eyes.

Latisse® is an eyelash growth serum that is considered the gold standard for people who want to dramatically improve their eyelashes without using extensions. Along with using Latisse®, Albuquerque’s Western Dermatology Consultants explains that you can use other techniques to support healthier, fuller eyelashes.

Your eyelashes have some similarities with the hair on your scalp, so you shouldn’t be too worried if you lose some from time to time. We typically lose between one to five eyelashes each day. This isn’t a cause for concern, since the lashes have a natural cycle of growing, falling out, and replacing themselves within six to 10 weeks, on average. However, if your eyelashes are falling out excessively or thinning, the loss could be a problem.

Irritation from cosmetics is one of the most common reasons for sparse eyelashes, and it’s more likely to occur if you leave mascara on for too long, have allergies to mascara, apply lash extensions incorrectly, or use eyelash curlers that apply too much force to the lashes. Rubbing your eyelashes frequently makes them more prone to breakage, mascara could be making them weaker, or medicated eye drops could be making the eyelashes drier. Additionally, some patients may have blepharitis—a condition that causes swelling and burning on the eyelids when oil glands that are close to the base of the eyelashes become blocked, leading to inflammation and damage to hair follicles.

Use the Right Types of Cosmetics

Your eyes are a fragile area. Many of us have fun applying eye makeup ,but hate having to take it off. The type of eye makeup and eye makeup remover you use will have a major influence on the health of your eyelashes. Avoid thick eye makeup like waterproof mascara and eyeliners that don’t come off easily, and never use aggressive manual cleansing to remove them. The strong chemicals in the cleansers you would need to use to remove this heavy makeup could also irritate the skin on this area. Try to find gentle makeup removers that are designed for sensitive skin.

Avoid Home Remedies That Aren’t Science-Backed

There are many suggestions online for growing longer eyelashes, but these methods are not necessarily proven to work. Some substances may be potentially dangerous if you put them in or near your eyes. Don’t use home remedies such as applying petrolatum jelly before bed, massaging the eyelids, or applying other substances such as green tea, castor oil, or aloe vera gel.

Maintain Your Eyelashes

Although it might sound basic, simple grooming can go a long way for making your eyelashes healthier. Brush them regularly with an eyelash brush, use a gentle soap to wash your face and eyes, and take off any eye makeup before bed each day. You can buy a foldable eyelash brush that fits into a purse.

Good Nutrition

Just like the hair on your head, good nutrition is vital for maintaining healthy eyelashes. Biotin from supplements or foods is an important vitamin for supporting hair growth. You should also be consuming plenty of protein, along with vitamins A and C. Zinc promotes hair tissue growth and repair. You can find hair supplements that contain these nutrients.

If you want more advice on growing longer and more volumized eyelashes with Latisse®, contact Albuquerque, NM’s The Spa @ Western Dermatology Consultants. Call 505-855-9267 or submit a contact form through their website to request a consultation.