Society's love for long, voluminous lashes dates back to ancient Egypt, when women employed various methods to achieve a vibrant look. Eyelash extensions date back to the 1800s, with records of women experimenting with applying eyelash glue to their lashes. Today, there are many ways to achieve the longed-for lashes, whether you choose RevitaLash® Advanced Lash Thickening and Repairing Serum for healthier, stronger lashes, opt for eyelash extensions for added volume, or simply use mascara for everyday beauty.
While beauty practices have come a long way since the ancient Egyptians, one thing that remains constant in our bodies is the eyelash cycle . Understanding the eyelash cycle is important before attempting different beauty treatments or jumping to conclusions about the cause of eyelash loss.
Each person typically has 150-200 natural lashes on their upper eyelids and 75-100 on their lower eyelids. While eyelash length, density, and color vary from person to person, we all go through a growth cycle that can be divided into three phases: anagen , resting , and telogen .
Growth phase (active in growth)
During the first phase, called the anagen phase, eyelashes actively grow for about 30-45 days. Approximately 40% of your eyelashes are in the anagen phase. Each eyelash continues to grow until it reaches a specific length, at which point it stops growing.
Quiescent phase (transition phase)
The second phase of the eyelash cycle is the resting phase, during which eyelashes reach a certain length and stop growing, with the follicles shrinking. This phase lasts for 2-3 weeks. If eyelashes fall out during the resting phase, they will not grow again until after this phase ends.
resting period
The resting/shedding phase is called the telogen phase and lasts 3-4 months. During this time, new hairs begin to grow from the follicles, replacing the old ones. Normal eyelash shedding is not a cause for concern, as it simply makes room for new lashes. Each eyelash goes through its own phase of the cycle, so it's normal for a few lashes to fall out each day. Complete replacement of all lashes typically takes 4-8 weeks.
To help keep your eyelashes healthy, we recommend the following:
- Remove makeup thoroughly every day
- Avoid waterproof makeup
- Add eyelash serum to your routine
- Avoid pulling or rubbing your eyelashes
