It can become unsettling when you wake up in the morning and notice an eyelash or two that have fallen out and are resting on your cheeks or pillow. It is important to understand, however, that this is a normal process, because like every other hair on your body, eyelashes are constantly moving through a natural growth cycle.

Anagen (Growth) Phase

This is the active hair growth phase and lasts, on average, between 15 and 20 days. During this time the hair shaft grows rapidly, causing it to push upward and out through the skin.

Catagen (Transition) Phase

This is the ideal phase for applying lash extensions, as it lasts 14 to 21 days on average and the eyelashes are at their strongest point. During this phase there is no growth as the eyelashes have matured to a strong healthy state.

Telogen (Resting) Phase

This is the last phase of growth, also known as the resting phase. The mature eyelash is pushed out of the hair follicle. This phase can last 30 to 45 days on average. The new eyelashes (the next anagen phase) push the telogen eyelashes out.

Because of this natural cycle, we recommend getting a retouch every two to three weeks. An eyelash sheds every 60 to 90 days on average due to the natural growth cycle and is replaced with the growth of a new eyelash. At any moment each of your natural lashes is at a different stage of this cycle. A retouch is needed to replenish the lashes that have completed their life cycle. 

In fact, the length of each stage of the growth cycle of eyelashes will vary with age and the speed of metabolism. Therefore, the speed of metabolism of older people is getting slower and longer, and it takes longer to grow, and the hair follicles gradually lose activity. It also began to increase, and the eyelash density also decreased. What happens if you use lashes that are too long, too thick, or too heavy? Inappropriately sized lashes will cause stress on the natural lash, causing it to shed prematurely, this causes a condition known as traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is a form of gradual hair loss, caused primarily by a pulling force being applied to the hair, or in this case, lashes.

Dermatologists say repeated premature shedding of the hair from the follicle may cause scarring of the hair follicle. Hair lost from prematurely scarred follicles will not regrow. If we have a lash
shed before its natural cycle ends, it causes the lash follicle to shrink. The lashes will consistently grow thinner and weaker every time this happens, sometimes to the extent that the natural lash
will not grow back. 

If your client has excessive shedding and is following appropriate home care methods, apply a shorter and/or finer diameter lash. You must take into consideration your client's natural lash, never apply an extension to a natural lash that is more than twice the length or thickness.