Everything You Need to Know About Lash Shedding

What is Seasonal Lash Shedding? Is it a Myth?

This is a common question among lash technicians, but you’ll find that everyone has a slightly different opinion.

When we think about animals, like domestic cats or dogs, they naturally shed their coats in spring or autumn. This helps them adjust to warmer weather with a thinner coat or prepare for colder weather with a thicker one. Surprisingly, we humans experience something similar! However, it’s much less noticeable—except when it comes to our lashes, which is one thing we definitely notice!

If you're a qualified lash technician, this might be familiar, but for those who aren’t, here’s a quick overview: Natural lashes typically follow a 60-90 day growth cycle. Each lash will be at a different stage in its cycle, which is why we recommend lash infills every two weeks to maintain the style. During spring and autumn, this lash cycle tends to speed up as our body prepares for seasonal changes — think of it as our own version of a coat adjustment. Back in the day, humans had much more body hair for protection. But now, thanks to razors and modern beauty standards, we barely notice the seasonal changes in our body hair. However, lashes are another story!

Does All Hair Shed Seasonally?

You might be wondering, "Does the hair on my head shed, too?" Yes, it does! However, the hair on your head follows a much longer growth cycle compared to your lashes. It grows more slowly, meaning the shedding process is less noticeable. Plus, since we have significantly more hair on our heads, shedding a few strands doesn’t make much of a visual difference.

Signs that you may be experiencing a seasonal shed include noticing more baby hairs or flyaways when styling your hair. You might also spot more strands in your hairbrush or the shower drain (anyone else’s partner hate this?). Well, you can tell them it’s just your natural shedding process — it’s completely normal!

Factors That Affect the Lash Cycle

• Pregnancy (especially in the 1st and 3rd trimesters, as well as postnatal)
• Breastfeeding
• Menstrual cycle
• Illness
• Alopecia (sometimes caused by medication)
• Chemotherapy
• Metabolic imbalances
• Stress
• Poor diet

Unfortunately, these factors are out of our control, and we can’t stop the natural shedding process.

Managing Expectations During Shedding Seasons

As lash techs, it's important to educate clients about lash retention and manage expectations during shedding seasons. Lash clients should prepare for increased shedding and understand that it’s normal. To keep your lashes looking their best, we recommend booking infills more frequently during these periods.

What Do an Infill and Full Set Look Like?