What Causes Eyelash Hair Loss?

The loss of hair can be a very emotionally painful experience, and it can be particularly upsetting when it happens in prominent facial areas such as the eyelids. Many individuals suffer from a condition called hypotrichosis, which basically means inadequate eyelash growth. While there are a number of potential causes for hair loss in the eyelids, a few of the more common include:

• Alopecia Areata – This is an immune system disorder that causes hair loss. When cells begin to attack hair follicles, they can fall out in a variety of body areas, including the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes.
• Chemical Allergies Associated with Mascara – Some chemicals in certain mascaras can cause an allergic reaction that can cause skin conditions such as conjunctivitis or dermatitis and ultimately lead to eyelash loss.
• Medications/Chemotherapy – Certain medications can cause the eyelashes to fall out or temporarily prevent the production of eyelashes. Chemotherapy is one type of medication that is known for resulting in hair loss. In many cases, eyelashes will eventually regrow naturally.
• Nutritional Deficiency – Dramatic changes in one’s diet that include a decrease in important vitamins, including vitamins C, E, H, and B6, can increase the possibility of eyelash loss.
• Thyroid Conditions – Overactive or underactive thyroid glands can cause eyelash hairs to become dry, brittle, and thin, ultimately leading to eyelash loss.
• Excessive Tugging – Too much pressure and pulling of the eyelashes when removing mascara or curling them can lead to eyelash loss. It’s very important to use special care when applying and removing makeup products from these regions.

Losing eyelash hairs can ultimately have an aesthetic effect on the entire face, leading to lack of self-confidence in one’s appearance. The good news is, our hair restoration surgeon, Dr. Bernardino Arocha, offers advanced medical and surgical solutions designed to restore the eyelashes with results that look both natural and beautiful.