Do Eyelashes Grow Back if Pulled Out?

• Causes
  • What causes eyelash hair loss?
• Eyelash Care
  • How to take care of your eyelashes

Eyelashes can grow back if pulled out, but it may take longer than 6 weeks. This is because pulling an eyelash slows down the process of regrowth

Eyelashes can grow back if pulled out, but it may take longer than 6 weeks or longer. This is because pulling an eyelash slows down the process of regrowth.

While it’s quite normal to lose 1-2 eyelashes a day, significant eyelash or eyebrow hair loss (madarosis) may indicate a more serious problem.

• Cosmetics. Not removing eye makeup at night or using cosmetics that do not suit your skin can irritate the eyelash follicles and cause your eyelashes to fall.
• Heredity. Thinning eyebrows tend to run in families.
• Alopecia. An autoimmune disease can cause patchy hair loss from certain parts of the body, including the face.
• Blepharitis. This condition results from clogged oil glands near the base of the eyelashes, leading to chronic inflammation that causes eyelashes to fall out.
• Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can cause overall body hair loss, including eyebrows and eyelashes.
• Stress. Stress can trigger your hair follicles to fall out or become thin.
• Trichotillomania. This is a mental health disorder that causes you to habitually pull out your eyelashes.
• Thyroid conditions. Low or high levels of thyroid hormones can affect hair growth and result in loss of eyelash hair. 
• Physical trauma. Injuries such as burns can damage your eyelashes and cause them to fall out.
• Nutritional deficiencies. Lack of iron and vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and biotin, can cause eyelash thinking.
• Chronic inflammatory conditions:
  • Lupus
  • Psoriasis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Scleroderma
• Medications:
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Anticoagulants
  • Botulinum toxin injections
  • Medications to treat thyroid disease (carbimazole and propylthiouracil)

While severe eyelash loss typically requires treatment from a skin specialist or dermatologist, you can take certain precautions to preserve your eyelashes if you wear makeup on a regular basis:

• Take off your mascara before sleep: Dried mascara over your eyelashes can rub against your pillow and cause your eyelash hair to fall out. So don’t forget to clean your eyelashes and remove your mascara before going to bed. Be gentle, however, because harsh washing can pull the eyelashes out.
• Change mascara brands: You may be allergic to one or more of the ingredients in your mascara, which could be causing your eyelash hair to fall out. Change brands and see if that makes a difference.
• Get a new bottle of mascara regularly: An old mascara can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which may cause an infection to develop around your eyelids. Replace your mascara every 6 months or so.
• Use lash curlers carefully: If you use a lash curler, be gentle and do not pull on your eyelids.
• Rub your eyes gently: Rubbing your eyes vigorously to relieve itching can result in accidental uprooting of eyelashes.

If you are losing your eyelashes despite these precautions, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. Eyelash loss may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.