Eyelashes are an important part of our facial features, and understanding their growth cycle is essential for maintaining healthy and beautiful lashes. The eyelash growth cycle consists of three stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen. During the anagen phase, the active growth phase, eyelashes use a blood supply to fuel their growth. This stage can last between 4 and 10 weeks, giving your eyelashes a chance to reach their full potential.
The catagenic phase follows, where the eyelashes have reached their full length and stop growing as the hair follicle shrinks and is separated from the fuel supply. This transition phase lasts 2-3 weeks before moving on to the telogen phase. In this final stage of the eyelash growth cycle, eyelashes live their last days before the anagen phase begins again. The daily growth rate of an eyelash is 0.12—0.14 mm, and each eyelash is made up of a hair shaft, a root under the skin, and a bulb where new hair begins to grow.
If an eyelash falls out or is removed during the catagen phase, it cannot grow back until the cycle ends and the anagen phase begins again. To keep your eyelashes strong and healthy, it's important to recognize what an eyelash will look like during each stage. Eyelash curlers are great for giving your natural lashes an extra boost before you put on your mascara. During the initial stages of the anagen phase, eyelashes are too fragile to be applied with extensions.
Attempts at eyelash extensions date back to the 1800s, when it has been recorded that women experimented with sticking their eyelashes to the lash line. In this shedding phase, the newly grown natural eyelashes begin to slowly detach from the hair follicle to make room for new eyelashes. That way, your eyelashes will be clean and there won't be any bacteria that could cause damage or blepharitis.
