Thinning Eyelashes

The beautifully curved eyelashes make the eyes look more attractive. For women, it is a mark of beauty. They spend a lot of money on cosmetics which can highlight their eyelashes. Losing a few eyelashes from time to time is a natural process and there is nothing to worry about it.

However, if there is a significant loss and it appears thinner than usual, then it should not be ignored as it could be an indication of an underlying health problem.

Thinning eyelashes clearly suggests that the eyelashes are not in a healthy state. There are several factors that can contribute towards this. The most commonly found causes are described here.

This is one major cause behind thinning eyelashes among the elderly. As we grow old, the hair tends to lose its natural strength and break off quite easily. It happens due to weakening of the hair follicles with increasing age. When the hair follicles of the eyelids become weak, eyelashes come off easily.

Those women who use mascara, eye shadow, eyeliner, and other such cosmetics for a prolonged period of time can develop this problem. There is a rapid loss of eyelashes mainly because of cosmetic allergies. In this case, a mild to severe itching sensation is also felt in the eyelids.

The eyelash breaks off if it suffers any form of traumatic injury. It may suffer burns or get ripped accidentally. The eye area is extremely sensitive. Therefore, too much of rubbing of the eyes can loosen up the eyelashes and they fall off. Some people have the habit of pulling out their eyelashes which in turn may affect its thickness in the long run.

Blepharitis is one such infection that occurs due to bacterial growth in the oil glands present in the eyelids. It can be identified with symptoms like itching and swelling of the eyelids and sometimes, reddening of the eyes. If this infection is not treated properly, then the infection recurs resulting in breakage of the lashes.

Lack of proper eye care can make the eyelashes dry and damaged and they will eventually start falling out in large numbers. Hypothyroidism, eye surgery, exposure to toxic chemicals, stress, and nutritional deficiency; are some of the general causes of thinner eyelashes.

When you notice that your eyelashes are thinning out, you must consult with your eye doctor to know the exact cause. If it is a sign of aging, then little can be done about it as hair follicle itself is already so weak that it cannot hold lashes anymore. The treatment for infections like Blepharitis should be carried out under the guidance of doctors only.

It has to be continued as long as the infection causing bacteria is not eliminated completely. Those who are facing the problem of thinning eyelashes because of other underlying medical conditions like thyroid disorders have to undergo treatment for that particular disease in order to stop loss of eyelashes.

When it is related to cosmetic allergies, you must stop using eye makeup till the lost eyelashes grow back. For the time being, you can use hypoallergenic cosmetics that are available in the market. Doctors recommend application of medicated gels or eye creams on the eyelashes before going to bed.

This can prevent the eyelashes from falling and promote growth of new lashes. You must remove your eye makeup and clean up the face thoroughly before applying these medicines.

Rubbing of vitamin E oil or olive oil on the eyelids can also be helpful in this regard. Intake of healthy food that have sufficient proteins, calories and vitamins content will also enhance growth of healthy eyelashes.

Eyelashes become thin when they are in a damaged condition. You can prevent the damage with a little bit care. This includes removal of eye makeup without fail before retiring for the day. Stay away from bad habits like excessive rubbing of the eyes or pulling the eyelashes unnecessarily.