How Fast Do Lashes Grow?

by: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist @ ABZ

Have you ever wondered: How fast do lashes grow?

Eyelashes grow about 0.12 to 0.14 millimeters in length each day. Over a 4 to 8-week growth phase, your lashes could grow about 1/8 to 1/4 inch longer.

How fast do lashes grow?

Each lash grows on its own schedule, but keeping them healthy can help them grow faster and stronger.

In this article, we'll look at the stages of lash growth and how you can help them grow healthier and quicker.

Eyelash growth cycle: How lashes grow

Lashes typically grow back within 4-6 weeks, and understanding the growth process can help you make the most of this natural cycle for beautiful lashes.

Here's a quick breakdown of the growth phases during each stage:

Growth Cycle Breakdown:

1. Anagen (Growth Phase) – This is the active growth period where lashes can grow up to 0.12-0.14 mm per day.

2. Catagen (Transition Phase) – Lashes stop growing, and the hair follicle shrinks.

3. Telogen (Resting Phase) – The lash rests and eventually sheds.

4. Exogen (Shedding Phase) – New lashes start growing as older ones fall out.

How to support lash health during growing phases

Anagen Phase (Active Growth) - To nourish follicles and promote strong lashes consider:

  • Incorporating biotin into your diet (think eggs, nuts, and leafy greens). 
  • Get enough Vitamin E, and Vitamin C.
  • Use oils or serums to help strengthen your lashes.

Catagen and Telogen Phases (Resting Phase - During these phases, your lashes may not be growing actively, but you can still keep them healthy by avoiding stressors like:

  • Remove mascara at bedtime.
  • Use gentle makeup removers.
  • Avoid using eyelash curlers.
  • Avoid using false eyelashes.
  • Sleep on silky pillows of special face pillows.

By understanding the growth cycle and nurturing your lashes during each stage, you can support stronger, longer lashes over time.

What affects lash growth

Lash growth can be affected by many things. On average, eyelashes grow about 0.12 to 0.14 millimeters a day, but it can be different for each person.

Knowing what affects lash growth can help you take better care of your lashes and help them grow.

Several factors affect how quickly your lashes grow:

  • Age: As we age, hair growth, including lashes, slows down, leading to shorter, thinner lashes.
  • Genetics: Your family history affects lash growth. If your relatives have thick, long lashes, you’re likely to have the same.
  • Hormones: Hormonal changes, like during pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid imbalances, can speed up or slow down lash growth.
  • Environment: Pollution, sun exposure, and other stressors can damage lashes. Too much sun weakens hair follicles, and pollution can block healthy growth.

Understanding these individual factors helps set realistic expectations when it comes to how fast your lashes grow and how they may change over time.

Lifestyle and habits that support lash growth

Your genetics and age can’t be changed, but a healthy lifestyle can boost lash growth. Here’s how:

  • Sleep: Enough rest helps hair, including lashes, grow. Lack of sleep can increase stress, slowing growth.
  • Stress Management: High stress messes with hormones and slows lash growth. Practices like meditation or yoga can help.
  • Hydration: Drinking water nourishes hair follicles, promoting stronger, healthier lashes.
  • Healthy Diet: Eating foods rich in biotin (like eggs and leafy greens) and vitamins A, C, and E helps lashes grow. Omega-3s in fish like salmon also support lash health.

These habits can create the best environment for your lashes to grow strong and healthy.

What stimulates lash growth?

Can curling your eyelashes cause damage?

Lash growth is be supported by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding excess stress, which can negatively impact hair follicles.

Keeping your lashes clean and free from excess makeup can also encourage a better environment for growth.

Conditioning your lashes regularly and avoiding harsh products can help support their natural growth.

For more tips, check out our tips for long lashes.

Do OTC lash serums make lashes grow quicker?

No, over-the-counter lash serums don't make lashes grow faster. They help maintain lash health and prevent premature shedding during the catagen or telogen phases, which are the resting and shedding stages of the lash growth cycle.

By keeping lashes healthy during these phases, serums can help your lashes stay longer and fuller, but they won’t speed up the growth process itself.

Lash growth facts:

Did you know that your eyelash growth follows a specific pattern?

On average, eyelashes grow about 0.12 to 0.14 millimeters per day. Over a 4-8 week growth cycle, this adds up to about 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3-6 mm).

Lashes stay in the growth phase (anagen) for 30 to 45 days, depending on factors like genetics and health.

After that, they enter the transition (catagen) phase for 2-3 weeks, then the resting (telogen) phase for 6-8 weeks before shedding. New lashes grow during the shedding phase (exogen).

Blame It on The Hormones:

In addition to genetics, age, hormones affect how quickly or slowly lashes grow. In fact, hormonal changes are powerful for those lush lashes. They can make lashes grow faster or slower and even impact their thickness!

For example: A study published by the American Academy of Dermatology noted that hormonal fluctuations can either speed up or slow down the growth cycle, influencing lash length and thickness.

Maybe that's why women, as opposed to men, seem to have a harder time growing lashes?

How Fast Do Lashes Grow - FAQ

Have any questions about how fast lashes grow? Please feel free to ask away here.

Q: Does crying help eyelashes grow?

A: No, unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, crying does not help eyelashes grow.  :-)

Q: How long does it take eyelashes to grow back after being pulled out?

A: It takes the same time as normal lash fall out takes. There are four stages for eyelash growth. And, aside from illness and medication like cancer and chemo, there is nothing we can do to make that phase move faster. But there are things you can do to keep what lashes you have!! 

Q: Does Vaseline help eyelashes grow?

A: In terms of speeding up the eyelash growth system, no Vaseline will not help. The eyelash growth cycle is not something you can control.

But, keeping your eyelashes healthy and strong can help, so they don't  become brittle and break-off faster than normal, can help.

So in this case, Vaseline or any moisturizing lash treatment can be helpful. 

The problem is, Vaseline is very heavy and could cause puffy eyes and clogged pores.

You would be better using a product that was made to hydrate and protect the delicate eyelash hair and not irritate your entire eye area.

What can help eyelashes grow naturally?

A: What can help eyelashes grow naturally? Eating more healthy protein. Getting basic nutrients. Eyelashes, like the hair on your head is made of the same protein. But you can try products to keep that hair health and     stay around longer. 

Q: Rodan and Fields Lash Boost vs Latisse - Which one is better?

A: While various lash serums claim to promote faster lash growth, it's essential to understand that the rate of growth largely depends on the individual and the health of the lashes. Supporting lash health with natural methods like proper hydration and a balanced diet can also aid in the growth process.

Q: Does biotin help eyelashes and eyebrows grow?

A: From what I understand, biotin supplements help support healthy skin, nails and hair. But there isn't much research to prove that it will increase hair growth or support eyelash hair follicle growth.

However, if you're low on biotin, I'm sure it can't hurt to give it a try. Also, make sure you're getting enough protein, as amino acids help support hair growth too.

The best thing to encourage growth is to stop using false eyelashes and eyelash curlers until they resume a health growth. I know that's hard to do when your eyelashes are broken and spars, but remember, lashes grow back fast, in just a matter of weeks.

At the same time, consider trying eyelash growth serums that contain conditioners. I know they work!

Q: What is the best way to apply eyelash serum?

A: You only need to apply the serum to the upper eyelids, as if you were applying a liquid eyeliner. Just close one eye and run the wand across the upper lash line and then repeat on the other eye.

No need to apply the lash serum to your lower eyelid lash, the serum will naturally apply to the lower lash as you blink.

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