How Your Lashes Age
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Time to read: 2 min
IN THIS ARTICLE
Did you know that your lashes change in the same way that the hair on your head does? Your eyelashes change – in volume, texture, color, and feel. Lashes naturally become thinner, shorter, straighter, more fragile and more prone to breakage with age.
The key to keeping your lashes resilient as you age? Understanding how they grow. Here's the science behind those three phases and why they matter for your lash health.
What are lash phases?
Most people typically have around 300 lashes per eye, divided across the upper and lower lids, and everyone’s lashes follow the same three-phase growth cycle: Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen.
Anagen Cycle: Active Growth
The anagen phase is when your lash actively grows, building from the root and staying firmly planted on your lid for 6 to 8 weeks. It's the prime time when your lash is strongest and longest. With age, this phase shortens, which is why lashes (and hair) often look thinner or grow more slowly. Instead, you spend more time in the resting and shedding phases instead.
Catagen Cycle: Transition Period
After the active growth phase, lashes enter the next cycle: Catagen. This is a 2 to 3-week period where lashes stop getting longer and start getting ready to fall out (to make room for a new one to grow).
Telogen Cycle: The Resting & Shedding Phase
This is the final phase. It’s the “resting” stage where your lash hangs out for 3 to 4 months before it falls out. While that’s happening, a new lash is already growing underneath it and will eventually push the old one out.
Expert Tips for Healthy Lashes
Damage to the eyelashes can cause them to fall out early, especially if they’re especially brittle and fragile.
To keep your lashes healthy throughout the growth cycle, experts recommend:
Remove makeup gently. A great choice is a gentle, oil-free cleanser or micellar water to remove eye makeup without damaging your lashes.
Avoid waterproof eye makeup. Waterproof formulas can be harsh on the lashes and your skin, and it’s sometimes hard to remove, which leads to pulling on the lashes to get product off. Formulas that are conditioning are best for your lashes.
Handle with care. Avoid tugging on your lashes or rubbing your eyes to prevent damage. If you use a lash curler, try to not crimp your lashes too tightly to avoid breakage.
FAQs
Why do some people’s lashes grow faster than others?
Genetics, age, overall health, and lifestyle can affect it.
What are the three phases of lash growth?
The three phases in your lash cycle are Anagen (active growth), Catagen (transition), and Telogen (rest/renewal).
How long does it take for lashes to grow back?
An eyelash that falls out will typically grow back within six weeks, but it depends on the person.
Does it matter what mascara I use?
For lashes that have changed, opt for products that combine care and color. Our newest innovation uses a lash conditioning complex that helps nourish and condition lashes, leaving you with healthier-looking, more resilient lashes – in one, perfect swipe.
Highlights
Lashes follow a 3-phase growth cycle: anagen (active growth), catagen (transition), telogen (rest/shedding)
With age, the active growth phase shortens, making lashes appear thinner and grow more slowly
Damage from removal, waterproof formulas, and handling can accelerate lash loss and breakage
Conditioning mascaras nourish lashes through each growth phase for healthier, more resilient results
