How long for eyelashes to grow back?

Yes! Pretty similarly to life, when it comes to your eyelashes, it’s all about renewal. So if you’ve just spotted a stray lash on the basin and you’re starting to think that fuller, longer look is never going to happen, don’t panic! Losing a lash just means that another one is starting to grow and here at Silly George that tells us one thing: the fun is just about to begin.

We’ve pulled together everything you need to know about the way your eyelashes grow into one quick and easy guide so that you can get that beautiful butterfly flutter in no time at all. Read on to find out about your lash lifecycle, our top tips for lash care and a little secret weapon to have up your sleeve.

What’s a lash lifecycle?

Your lashes get a pretty wild ride. They’ve got to concentrate with you when you’re at work, shine on the dancefloor and occasionally accommodate the odd tear (never date men with names from the early 1900s like Lionel, but that’s another story).

Through all of this they’re got to be strong, vibrant and generally pretty badass. So how do they manage it? Well, to understand what makes a truly fine lash, we’ve first got to understand how they grow.

There are three main stages of growth which your lashes will go through and this is what we call the lash lifecycle:

Anagen Phase (Growth)

Catchy name right? Yeah, we’re not really sure who chose it either, but it’s actually awesome, because this is the phase when your lashes are growing. They’ll grow for about 4-8 weeks and then stop once they reach a specific length (this is why you aren’t constantly having to run to the office bathroom with your desk scissors). About 40% of your lashes will be in the anagen phase at any one time.

Catagen Phase (Transition)

This is when the lash stops growing, the hair follicle that has mothered it shrinks and the lash effectively steps out into the world as an adult. This phase lasts for 2-3 weeks.

Telogen Phase (Resting & Shedding)

This is the final phase where the lash rests for a period of 3-4 months as a new baby hair begins to grow inside the follicle. At a certain point the old lash is pushed out by the new, and you’re back in the growth phase.

So you see, you can grow back your lashes without even trying. Your body does it naturally!

What can I do to help?

Growing your eyelashes into a gaze which can stop traffic is all about keeping them nourished and healthy throughout their lifecycle so that they stay at their full, dazzling best for as long as possible.

The good news is that this doesn’t have to cost the earth.

In fact, there are some really simple things you can do to keep your lashes nourished and protected as they grow:

Keep them clean

Why?
Some people worry that the process of cleaning or washing your eyelashes makes them fall out, but this isn’t true. Cleaning your eyelashes removes bacteria and oil which can clog and damage the hair follicle, meaning they will grow thicker and longer as they won’t fall out as quickly.

How?
After you’ve removed your make up, massage your eyelashes gently with a mild soap or cleanser.

Remove mascara gently

Marilyn Monroe slept in Chanel No5, not mascara. We know that it’s important to remove mascara daily in order to avoid irritation but do it a little too roughly and there’s a risk of breaking or removing an eyelash.

How?
Soak your make up remover in a cotton or fabric pad and then hold it over the eye for a couple of seconds before wiping away. These precious few seconds will allow the product to gently break up the mascara so that it comes away easily.

Show them a little love

Why?
From time to time we all need a little TLC and your eyelashes are no exception. Just as you moisturise your skin, giving your lashes the right nourishment on a regular basis helps to keep them in great shape.

How?
Try using a Growth Serum. Applying a Growth Serum to your eyelashes activates and nourishes the hair follicles, promoting rapid growth at the same time as preventing newly grown lashes from falling out. There are plenty of options out there, but at the risk of sounding a little biased, we’re pretty proud of ours. Why not check it out for yourself?

So Don’t Worry!

It really doesn’t take much to grow back longer, even more luscious lashes. After reading this, you’re already halfway there!