How can I make my eyelashes healthy again? 8 Effective treatments

Medically reviewed and approved by Nataniel Josue M.D.

We rarely pay attention to our eyelashes, but they are a part of our body that needs care as much as any other. Our eyelashes are sensitive and can fall out. How can I make my eyelashes healthy again? If you want to take the best care of them, there are specific steps to follow, which I will show you below.

If you want to take care of your eyelashes, it is essential to keep them clean, remove all makeup, and eat well. To have good eyelash health, avoid using eyelash curlers because they weaken them and can make them fall out. If you need to use eyelash curlers, use them in moderation and from time to time.

Below, I will explain how to take care of this important part of our facial physiognomy.

What are eyelashes? 

 Eyelashes are hairs that frame our eyes, located on the upper and lower eyelids of the eye. When we blink or close our eyes, our eyelashes protect us from external threats such as dust particles, bacteria, impurities, and other agents, which may damage the eyeball.

It is estimated that the upper eyelid has between 70 and 150 eyelashes, while the lower eyelid has between 60 and 80 eyelashes that are smaller and curve downwards. The eyelashes' curved shape allows sweat to slide off, expelling unwanted particles that could enter the eyes.

Eyelashes are biological polymers composed of 10% water and 90% proteins such as keratin and melanin; substances responsible for giving color to hair. They only last approximately two months before beginning to fall out, giving way to new ones.

What diseases can make your eyelashes fall out?

Premature falling out of the eyelashes is usually caused by hyper or hypoactivity of the thyroid gland or other hormonal changes. Another widespread problem is alopecia areata, which attacks the eyelashes' hair follicles, although it can also affect the scalp, eyebrows, and other places where hair grows.

Causes other than diseases can also make our eyelashes fall out.

Why do my eyelashes fall out easily?

The life of the eyelash has three phases: growth (anagen), degradation (catagen), and rest (telogen); after the last stage, they fall. Each eyelash's life cycle is usually between four and eleven months; naturally, we lose about five per day. If we were to notice a more significant number fall out, we should go to the doctor.

In addition to fulfilling its natural life cycle, other factors can accelerate eyelashes falling out, such as:

Use of makeup

If you make up your eyelashes frequently with mascara, it can be the main reason for them falling out excessively.

I first recommend using quality products and avoiding as much as possible instruments like eyelash curlers because they weaken the hair. Also, it is of utmost importance that you remove your eyelashes correctly every night before going to bed. During sleep, they regenerate and become stronger. That will prevent them from falling out massively.

Stress

When you live with a high level of stress, it affects your eyelashes' health and encourages them to fall out. The reason is that when you are stressed, the nervous system is altered, preventing the proper circulation of the blood.

This alteration of the nervous system causes nutrients from food to be distributed incorrectly by the body. That causes the eyelashes to not receive the vitamins they need to be healthy.

Allergy to makeup

If your eyelashes are falling out more than usual, maybe you are wearing new makeup that causes an allergic reaction. 

To find out if you have an allergy, try not using this cosmetic for a few days. This way, you will let your eyelashes rest, and you will see if they are getting better.

Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes occur when there are specific female cycles such as pregnancy, menstruation, menopause. These cycles can cause eyelashes to fall out. They lose strength during this time and fall in greater quantity. To prevent them from falling out every night before going to bed, coat them with olive oil to be more robust.

Lack of vitamins and nutrients

Having a low nutrient diet can be another factor in eyelash fall. Therefore, if you don't follow healthy habits such as eating fruits and vegetables and consuming a low-fat diet, you won’t eliminate toxins from the body and you will not correctly nourish your eyelashes. Some of the nutrients that help you improve your eyelashes' health and stimulate their growth are vitamins A, B, E, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Better care for your eyelashes

Hydration

Eyelashes also need to be hydrated. To do this, you can use Vaseline, drops of castor oil, or almond oil and apply it to them from time to time. This will help you have much softer and better-hydrated lashes. Be careful that the cream doesn't get into your eyes; use a brush to separate them.

Castor oil is not proven to make your eyelashes longer or thicker. The thickness and length of the eyelashes are genetic, but it will make them look healthier.

You may be interested in "How can I hydrate my skin naturally?"

Take care of your diet

When it comes to maintaining beautiful eyelashes, it is essential to maintain a balanced diet and be well hydrated. The health of eyelashes is directly correlated with the quality of the hair and skin.

A lousy diet causes the eyelashes to be affected. I recommend you taking proteins, vitamins, and foods containing biotin.

Brush your eyelashes daily

This is an excellent remedy to keep your eyelashes healthy and encourage their growth. Get a specific brush for eyelashes and comb them from bottom to top, from the root to the end. Also, use a few drops of castor oil or almond oil.

Do not abuse makeup

The abusive use of makeup on the eyelashes can damage growth and cause them to fall out. For this reason, it is essential to always remove makeup before sleeping. It is also imperative not to use mascara daily to let them breathe correctly and use good quality mascara.

When removing makeup from your eyelashes, use a cotton wool ball soaked in eye makeup remover to remove any mascara residue. Remove it gently in the direction of the eyelashes and never sideways.

It is advisable to avoid waterproof formulas because they are more difficult to remove and generally leave traces. Also, avoid using an eyelash curler because it weakens the lashes.

Moderate use of eyelash curlers

Incorrect use of the curlers helps to break and weaken the eyelashes. However, this instrument helps maintain them and they look longer and more curved to beautify the face. For this reason, use the curler only on special occasions.

Protect them from UV rays

Exposure to the sun causes eyelashes to be affected, becoming drier and more brittle; one recommendation is to use sunglasses.

Use eyelash treatment products.

Eyelash treatments are used to repair, revitalize, and stimulate eyelash growth. They may be composed of a cocktail of vitamins essential to the health of the eyelashes. They can be used at night 2 or 3 times a week continuously for 6 to 8 weeks.

Use active ingredients to strengthen your eyelashes.

• Hyaluronic acid. This acid immediately leaves eyelashes silky.
• Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Alpha Hydroxy Acid derived from fruit acid (lemon peel extract, sugar cane, apple) is used for its detangling power.
• Ceramides. Ceramides also give the eyelashes body and tighten scales. If these active ingredients are integrated into the masks, they enhance the fibers, soften and make the eyelashes shine more.

Home remedies to care for eyelashes

Castor oil

Castor oil is a vegetable oil that stimulates the growth of the eyelashes and hydrates and strengthens them, giving them a great shine. Its high content of vitamins, proteins, and minerals will provide you with longer, more robust, thicker, and healthier eyelashes, preventing them from falling out. It is also anti-fungicide and anti-bacterial and is remarkable at combatting bacteria and fungi that damage the eyelashes, stopping their growth.

• To use castor oil, dip a clean mascara brush in a little castor oil.
• Then apply it to the lashes from the root to the tips.
• Do this every night before bed.

Castor oil serum

• Mix castor oil, almond oil, avocado oil, mamey oil, and olive oil in equal quantities in a container.
• Mix well and apply the same amount of castor oil.
• Use this mixture as a makeup remover.

Castor oil and rum

Place in a container, and stir the ingredients well, dip a mask brush into this mixture and apply it carefully to the eyelashes.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutritional compounds, greatly benefiting the skin and hair. When applied to the eyelashes, it has a regenerating function thanks to its fatty acids. It also helps to give the eyelashes more volume.

If you have dandruff, it also has repairing, antiseptic and astringent properties. All the properties of olive oil and its nutrients produce a strengthening and repairing effect to achieve healthy eyelashes in the medium and long term.

Application:

• First, cleanse your face thoroughly.
• Spread olive oil on a clean toothbrush.
• Apply it to the eyelashes softly and continuously but be careful not to let a drop enter the eye.
• This procedure should be repeated 2 to 4 times so that the eyelashes are well saturated.
• You should apply olive oil before going to sleep. Rinse your face the following morning.

Vaseline

By applying Vaseline regularly to the lashes, it will make them stronger and thicker, preventing them from falling out.

• To apply it, use a mascara brush and apply the Vaseline.
• Then pass it through the lashes, covering them completely.
• This ritual is done at night and clears up in the morning.
• For best results, apply daily for several months.

Green Tea

Green tea is very rich in antioxidant properties and very useful for stimulating eyelash growth. These usually fall out due to irritations caused by cosmetics.

Green tea mask

• Heat a container with a cup of water and a bag of green tea.
• When it boils, remove it from the heat and let it cool down a bit.
• When it is warm, soak a cotton ball and place it over clean eyes.
• Let it rest for about 15 minutes, and then remove it with warm or cold water.
• You should perform this process three times a week at night. You will see the results after the second week.

Chamomile:

Chamomile applied to the eyelashes brings shine, strength, and stimulates their growth. To make this remedy, you will need

• Chamomile sachets.
• 1 cup of water.
• 2 cotton discs.

Method of preparation:

• Heat up water in a bowl.
• When it is at boiling point, add the bags of chamomile in the water.
• Cover the bowl with the tea bags inside.
• Then turn off and remove from the heat.
• When it is at room temperature (it takes between 20 and 30 minutes to cool), soak the absorbent cotton ball and place it over eyes without makeup all night before sleeping.
• Remove with warm water the next day.

Aloe vera:

Thanks to the vitamins and nutrients of aloe vera, they help promote your eyelashes' growth and keep them healthy and hydrated. This happens due to its vitamin and nutrient content.

• To make this remedy, wash an aloe vera leaf thoroughly, remove the gel from the inside and clean it well with water to remove the yellow layer.
• Then pour it into a container and soak a clean eyelash brush with the aloe vera gel; you must soak it thoroughly.
• Then place it on the eyelash as if you were applying mascara.
• It would be best if you did this before you go to sleep so that it can work all night long.
• The next morning, rinse with plenty of warm water.

Aloe Vera Serum

• Mix 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel, one tablespoon of castor oil, and one tablespoon of vitamin E oil.
• Mix in a jar and shake to stir.
• When the mixture is ready, clean the lashes thoroughly and apply with a toothbrush at night to your eyelashes.
• Leave it on and the next morning, wash your face and dry.

You may be interested in "What is aloe vera good for? All the secrets you didn't know." 

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a nutrient that helps in the regeneration of cells, preventing eyelashes' aging. This vitamin's effect is to strengthen them from the follicles upwards, nourishing them and promoting their growth.

Application:

• First, wash the face with warm water. If you have makeup use a makeup remover so that the eyelashes are completely clean.
• Then moisten a cotton pad with vitamin E oil, massaging the eyelid area as well.
• Let it work all night and then rinse your face the next morning.
• For this process to be effective, repeat it over several days to increase the eyelashes' nutrition, promote their growth, and stop their fall.

You can also dampen an eyelash brush with Vitamin E oil, giving it shape to look bulkier.

Lemon peel with olive oil and castor oil

• To make this remedy, peel 2 lemons and separate the peel.
• Separately mix 10 spoonfuls of olive oil with 10 spoonfuls of castor oil.
• To this mixture, introduce the lemon peels, close the container, and let it macerate for 5 days.
• Then apply after removing makeup from the eyelashes and let it work overnight.

Shake to strengthen the eyelashes

To strengthen the eyelashes from within your body, it is essential to include in our diet nutrients and vitamins necessary to give strength and vitality.

Ingredients:

• 6 carrots.
• 4 spoonfuls of nuts.
• Juice of 4 oranges.
• 1 spoonful of honey.
• 1 spoonful of pine nuts.

Preparation:

In a blender mix all the ingredients, and you can take the shake.

Homemade makeup remover for eyelashes

• Mix equal parts of argan oil and rose essential oil in a container.
• Soak a cotton ball in this mixture and let it rest on your eyelashes for a few seconds.
• Then carefully wipe off any excess mascara.

Conclusion 

Eyelashes are the protagonists of a beautiful look because they frame the eye. For this reason, don't forget to take care of them by following all the advice explained.