Autumn Lash Shedding: Why Your Lashes Look Best in Autumn

Autumn is an incredibly beautiful time of the year; the air is crisp, the deciduous trees bursting with colours, and we can enjoy lots of outdoor adventures, such as strolling through vineyards or leisurely driving around the hills!

However, the seasonal change makes your lashes go a little crazy, too. You’d notice that your lashes are falling off faster than usual, and we understand that it can feel alarming.

Don’t worry, though! It does happen and is completely natural! It’s commonly called autumn lash shedding. Let’s unpack the science behind it.

What is the Autumn lash shedding season?

Depending on our hair-growth cycle, a person typically sheds one to five lashes every day. However, this can increase dramatically during autumn and spring due to the temperature changes.

This autumn lash shedding season typically lasts around 1-2 lash cycles (about six weeks) before things go back to normal.

Clients come to us worrying why their lashes are falling out much since they’ve had lash extensions. The truth is, lashes go through natural growth and fall out cycle. It’s just that the loss of lashes often goes unnoticed for people without lash extensions because lashes are so fine. But, when you have lash extensions attached to your natural lashes, lashes falling out become more noticeable.

Why do they shed during these months?

Hair cells go through a cycle of growth:

• Anagen phase – the lashes have just started to grow out of the skin. They are small and barely visible
• Catagen phase – the transitional stage during which the hair is thicker and mid-length—this phase lasts the longest
• Telogen phase – the hair is full-grown and gets ready for a new one to grow

This cycle takes about four to eight weeks—a pretty fast turnover rate (speed of growing and shedding) compared to other cells. We’re particularly interested in the resting or telogen phase.

Here’s why we see more lashes falling out here and there in the autumn. Research shows that the heat triggers a greater number of lashes to enter the “resting” stage or telophase (the lashes are ready to fall out and wait for the baby lash to grow in its place). This means that these “resting” lashes in summer are ready to fall out in a month or two during autumn.

Lash shedding season happens in spring, too. Our bodies prepare for the growing warmth and lack of humidity during spring. This leads to more lashes going to the resting phase.

It’s not all doom and gloom, however. Though more lashes fall out at once, it also means more baby lashes are in place that grows into strong, lash-extension-ready lashes. Yes, that’s why after the shedding season, your lashes are at their best, too!

Is autumn lash shed normal?

Yes, the autumn lash shed is not uncommon and a natural process when the temperature changes. We lose lashes faster than average during seasonal shifts, but it’s typically nothing to worry about.

Luckily, in most cases, you wouldn’t even notice any issues like bald patches or uneven eyelashes, and after around six weeks, things get back to normal.

How Does Autumn Lash Shed Affect Your Eyelash Extension?

Semi-permanent eyelash extension also falls out with the natural lash it is attached to. So, eyelash extensions can only last as long as the growth cycle of natural lashes.

Unfortunately, this means autumn lash shedding season affects the retention of your eyelash extensions since natural lashes fall off faster than normal during this season.

While there is not much we can do about it, there are ways to prevent further lash loss.

Ways To Take Care of Your Lashes During Fall Lash Shedding Season

Your best bets for limiting the effects of autumn lash shed to your eyelash extension are proper aftercare and coordinating your infills at the right time.

Keep your eyelash extensions clean

Clean lashes mean better retention. Yes, it’s true; cleaning your lashes daily helps prevent premature lash shedding.

If you don’t clean your lashes, you could end up with a build-up of dirt, oil, makeup, and bacteria along your lash lines. This makes the lashes brittle or weakens the bond, causing them to fall off easily. This can also make it difficult for new lashes to grow, or in worse cases, result in infection.

So, just never, ever skip cleaning your lashes using a good oil-free foam cleanser and fluffy brush!

Use a good lash sealant

Using a lash sealant is also a great idea to extend the retention of your lashes year-round, especially during the lash shedding season.

Lash sealant forms a barrier to ward off elements that break down the bond of the adhesive to the natural lashes. While it doesn’t keep the lashes from falling out, they lock the semi-permanent eyelash extension in place for longer. So, it’s like an extra layer of protection.

Keep up with your lash refills

Regular upkeep with your infills is your lashes’ best friend and our favorite tip for clients around this season. The loss of lashes can make your lashes look uneven, and this awkward situation is why refills are super important.

Refills are typically scheduled every two to three weeks, but if you’re going through a seasonal lash shed, you may need to come in more frequently for refills to maintain your lash extensions. Our lash artists here in Ardour Brows and Lashes can help adjust your refills on a schedule that works for you and your lashes, so they always look fantastic.

For this season, getting an autumn hybrid lash extension might be great for you as it helps fill in gaps in the lash line.

Takeaway

Keeping lashes on fleek may become a little challenging during the autumn lash shedding season. Temperature changes affect the growth cycle of the natural lashes, causing them to fall off faster than usual. Fortunately, the lash shedding seasons don’t last forever, and the natural growth cycle returns to normal after six weeks.

Though there isn’t much we can do with autumn lash shedding, cleaning your lashes daily, using a lash sealant, and keeping up with your refills are some ways to reduce the effect of autumn lash shed. You may also opt for an autumn hybrid lash extension because it’s ideal for covering up sparse areas.

As always, don’t hesitate to call us about your worries about lash extensions and we are more than willing to answer your questions.