Is Seasonal Lash Shedding Real?
Why Seasonal Lash Shedding Happens and How to Handle It
It’s a hot topic, and one that is always up for debate. But let’s be real—lash shedding is just a part of human biology. Many lash extensions clients start talking about shedding when spring arrives, but it’s just as common in autumn too.
Think about your pets—if you’ve got a cat or dog, you’ll notice they shed their fur in spring and autumn to adjust for the changing seasons. It’s their way of preparing for warmer weather with a lighter coat and vice versa. Well, humans do the same thing! The only difference is that it’s not as noticeable—until we throw eyelash extensions into the mix.
You’ve probably learned all about the hair growth cycle in your eyelash extensions training, but we’ll go through it quickly in case you need a refresher.
Natural lashes have a 60-90 day growth cycle, but each lash is at a different stage. That’s why infills are needed every three weeks to keep classic eyelash extensions or volume lashes looking full.
PRO TIP: using Premade Fans is a quick way to fill in any gaps left from shedding between appointments, especially when your client loses more lashes than you might expect!
In both spring and autumn, this shedding process speeds up, getting us ready for our “summer or winter coat.” Back in prehistoric times, humans had much thicker hair for protection from the elements. These days, we’re more about removing hair than keeping it, so you might not notice the slight increase in body hair thickness in winter.
Wondering about the hair on your head? It sheds too, but the growth cycle is longer than your lashes and brows. We lose about 50-100 hairs a day, but with so many strands on your head, it’s harder to notice. You might see more fly-away baby hairs or notice extra hair in your brush or shower during certain seasons—this is your hair shedding.
Other Factors in Hair Growth
- Pregnancy – Hormonal changes in the first and third trimesters can speed up shedding.
- Breastfeeding – Another time of hormonal fluctuation.
- Menstruation – Hormones are at play again.
- Sickness – High fevers can damage hair follicles, leading to lash and brow shedding.
- Chemotherapy – A harsh treatment that affects hair follicles, often leading to hair loss.
- Alopecia – A condition that causes partial or total hair loss.
- Medication – Some medications list hair loss as a side effect.
- Stress – High cortisol levels due to stress can trigger hair loss.
- Nutrition – Poor nutrition or fad diets can cause hair shedding.
There’s not much you can do to stop or slow the natural growth cycle, but you can educate your clients about seasonal lash shedding and suggest more frequent infills during these times, especially when they have natural eyelash extensions which will make the gaps and lash loss more obvious.
Setting Realistic Client Expectations
- Communicate early – Let clients know about upcoming seasonal shedding in consultations or on social media. This way, they’ll be prepared if they experience a faster shed of their classic lashes, wispy lashes, or volume lashes.
- Reassure them – Explain that it’s temporary, lasting only a cycle or two before everything returns to normal.
- Encourage stress reduction – Since stress can lead to hair loss, remind clients that relaxation is essential. Lash treatments are a great way to unwind, especially when combined with a full, carefully done pretreatment routine, making the experience even more comfortable.
- Promote aftercare – Proper aftercare is crucial, especially during seasonal shedding. Encourage your clients to use lash shampoo to keep their lashes clean. Remind them to pat their eyelash extensions dry and brush through them with a Mascara Wand. You could even offer these products for sale in your salon to help them keep on top of tier aftercare.
- Suggest more frequent infills – During heavy shedding times, recommend infills every 2-3 weeks to ensure grown-out lashes are removed and gaps are filled. Regular maintenance will keep their classic eyelash extensions or volume lashes looking full and flawless.
By keeping your clients informed and suggesting simple tweaks to their routine, you’ll help them manage seasonal lash shedding with ease! Using high-quality lash products to ensure lash retention will keep them coming back for more.
Check out these featured products
