Like the hairs on our heads, our eyelashes have a normal growth cycle. The lashes on your upper and lower lash line go through three stages during this growth period.
Anagen, telogen, and catagen are the three stages of eyelash development, and recognising these phases will help you achieve natural eyelash growth.
Let’s take a closer look at the different stages of eyelash growth:
Anagen Phase:
This is the stage during which your eyelashes begin to develop, and it lasts around two weeks. During this process of eyelash development, the lashes will develop from the root follicles, and if they fall out during this period, they will not regrow easily.
Telogen Phase:
Since your lashes are resting on your lash line during this process, there will be no rapid growth as in the anagen phase. It typically lasts four to nine months, but this varies from person to person.
Catagen Phase:
This is the final stage of the growth cycle, and for around 2-3 weeks, the root of the hair follicle will begin to shrink, then harden, and finally fall out, allowing a new lash to develop in its place.
Now, not all of your eyelashes will go through both of these stages at the same time; some will be in the catagen process, while others will be resting, and some will be rising.
Although it is true that you cannot keep your eyelashes from falling out during their catagen or decay stages, there are ways to prevent premature lash fallout during the anagen and telogen phases.
How do I keep my eyelashes from falling out during the Anagen and Telogen phases?
Use a gentler make-up product on your eyelashes, as you may not know it, but your mascara, eyeliner, or eyeshadow may be too harsh for your lashes, causing them to become thin, and weaker eyelashes are more likely to fall out.
If you’re moving to a new make-up brand, do a patch test first, and if you’re using waterproof mascara every day, it’s time to turn to non-waterproof, as the former is extremely drying and difficult to remove, causing your lashes to fall out prematurely and inhibiting their potential development.
Even if you have to use waterproof eye be-up, make sure to clean them gently at the end of the day and keep them water-proof, or else, remove your make-up before going to bed.
When wearing false eyelashes or eyelash extensions, be particularly vigilant because removing them can require a bit of tugging, resulting in the loss of your natural lashes.
These are the things you should be aware of, particularly if you wear make-up on a regular basis, as make-up build-up can have a negative effect on the health of your lashes in the long run.
Also, don’t rub your eyes too hard, and sleep on your back as much as possible, as sleeping on your stomach will cause your eyes to rub against your stomach and cause you to fall asleep.
How Do You Help Your Eyelashes Grow During the Anagen and Telogen Phases?
During each of these stages, your lashes will naturally grow, but they may be limited or stunted due to factors such as a lack of internal nutrition, too much pressure on your skin, make-up products, and lash drying.
You can fix these issues by making minor changes in your life, some of which will not cost you anything.
Foods that are rich in protein and good for your lashes include:
Iron is a trace ingredient that our bodies need in small quantities, but it is likely that certain people are deficient in it. When it comes to eyelashes, a lack of this trace factor will cause them to rush through the anagen phase, forcing them into the telogen phase, where eyelash development is slower than the anagen phase.
However, you should consume foods high in iron to help with this problem; spinach, fish, dried fruits, and beans are examples of iron-rich foods to include in your diet.
Biotin-rich foods are beneficial to your lashes because they aid in the development of Keratin, a hair protein, so eat plenty of almonds, broccoli, kale, and onions to improve your lash line.
If eating these foods alone isn’t enough to improve your diet, consult your doctor about supplementation.
Moisturizers are fantastic for your lashes.
Your lashes are fragile and worth fuzzing over, so moisturise them whenever you notice them to keep them from drying out.
You should use gels designed specifically for moisturising eyelashes that you can find on the market. You may also use oils like Vitamin E oil and other oils like coconut oil and castor oil, which are said to encourage blood circulation and eyelash development in addition to moisturising your lashes.
Invest in eyelash-growth-promoting goods.
There are occasions when you don’t have time to experiment with various home remedies for boosting the growth of your lash line. You may also want to see some fast results for an upcoming event, in which case you can buy an eyelash growth serum like Careprost, which will give you noticeable results in as little as two weeks with daily use.
There are also serums enriched with Vitamin-E and Biotin that are used to improve the length of the eyelashes.
Careprost or Bimat, for example, will not only give you fast growth, but it will also help your eyelashes grow longer, thicker, and darker, and it is also healthy for your eyes.
Most importantly, get enough sleep to allow your eyes to refresh and rejuvenate on a regular basis, as tired eyes are not conducive to eyelash development.
