Lash Shedding Season

As lash artists, we get asked a lot about lash shedding. When clients see their natural lashes and their favourite extensions suddenly falling out, it makes them nervous.

Nature is just doing what it does. When spring comes around, natural eyelashes tend to fall out faster, dragging along extensions. Don't worry, though; it's normal!

In this guide, we'll talk about everything there is to know about seasonal lash shedding. Consider this a resource for the spring shedding process, covering everything from why it happens to how to take care of your eyelashes during this time.

What is lash shedding?

Lash shedding is the increasing loss of eyelashes that certain individuals may undergo when transitioning between seasons. The warm summer weather can lead to increased sweating and oil production, which can impact lash retention. Winter weather's low humidity levels can lead to skin dryness and make lashes more prone to falling out.

Eyelashes go through a cycle of growth, shedding, and replacement every six to 10 weeks. During the Spring and Autumn, this can significantly increase due to temperature fluctuations.

For the majority of individuals, particularly those without eyelash extensions, the period of shedding lashes passes without being noticed. Natural lashes are typically thinner than lash extensions, making them harder to notice when they fall out. Lash extensions are more noticeable when they fall out, which may be concerning for individuals unfamiliar with their natural lash growth cycle.

How often do eyelashes shed?

Eyelash shedding is a natural process that occurs regularly, with individuals typically losing 2-5 lashes per eye daily. However, during the spring and autumn seasons, this shedding rate can noticeably increase. Known as shedding seasons, this period may last for 1-2 months.

It's crucial for lash artists to inform their clients about this phenomenon to alleviate any concerns they may have about their lash extensions. Understanding that this uptick in shedding is a natural occurrence can reassure clients and help them maintain confidence in their lash treatments.

What contributes to increased natural lash shed?

Fluctuations in humidity can impact the cycle of eyelash growth. Severely dry skin can hinder the hair follicles from receiving adequate nourishment for growth. This results in the premature shedding of telogen lashes.

Hormones can also contribute to accelerated eyelash shedding. During these months, we experience reduced exposure to sunlight as we spend more time indoors and have fewer daylight hours. During winter, our body reduces melatonin production, impacting hormone levels. In spring and summer, you usually receive greater exposure to sunlight. Your spring lash cycle will continue until around mid-May, so there is no need to worry as the situation will settle down.

For this time, I can also recommend our Flawless Lash Wizard Serum, this stimulates the formation of keratin. This helps our natural lashes to thicken and strengthen. With serum, your lashes will become healthier and stronger, so eyelash extensions will last longer.

How to handle lash shedding season?

Make sure to clean lashes completely before each Infill appointment. It is crucial for your clients to wash their lash extensions daily at home with a foam cleanser. Rest assured, the temporary seasonal shedding will not persist indefinitely.

Approximately 6 weeks later, everything should begin to return to its usual state. Our clients must endure it. As technicians, it's our job to make sure they know this. If they don't, you'll hear a lot of complaints about retention that aren't really about bad retention practices.

It is our responsibility as technicians to ensure that they are informed about this, as otherwise, there will be numerous complaints about retention, even if poor retention practices are not the reason.

Do not be hard on yourself, fellow lash artists, if you are observing this. It is a genuine occurrence and not a critique of your work if clients notice eyelash extensions shedding. Things will soon stabilise, and your eyelash sets will return to their full appearance.

Words by our talented Flawless Trainer, Tina Sklepič

FAQ

Are Your Lashes Falling Out and More Baby Eyelashes Growing?

This is quite normal, changing lashes is a typical and natural part of the human body during spring and autumn. In fact, our natural lashes are constantly shedding every day due to our lash cycle. On average, it is completely normal to lose anything from 5-7 natural lashes per day!

What months do eyelashes shed the most?

Eyelashes shed most frequently during the seasons of Spring and Autumn.

How long does the shedding season last?

For each individual, the onset of spring lash shedding may vary, with some experiencing it earlier or later in the season. This shedding phase typically persists for 1-2 months.

What else contributes to increased natural lash shedding?

Fluctuations in humidity, dry skin, and hormonal changes can all contribute to accelerated eyelash shedding. These factors, combined with seasonal transitions, can impact the eyelash growth cycle.

Should one be worried about lash shedding?

There's no need to worry about lash shedding. It's a normal and healthy part of hair growth process.