Why are my lashes shorter after extensions? This is a question many are worried about after getting their lashes done. This article will help you to understand why your natural lashes may look shorter and straighter after wearing extensions, as well as identify ways to restore and repair them.
Poor application of eyelash extensions can cause your natural lashes to become short and stubby. This involves issues such as wrong adhesion or using the wrong length, weight, or curl type.
Can Lash Extensions Damage Natural Eyelashes?
Provided that you go to a reputable salon and lash technician, your natural lashes shouldn’t suffer any lasting or permanent damage as a result of eyelash extensions.
If you think that your natural lashes have been damaged by extensions, this is likely due to poor application and technician error.
Thankfully, however, there are things that you can do to support the regrowth and repair of your natural lashes.
Why Are My Eyelashes Shorter After Extensions?
If you think that your natural eyelashes have suffered as a result of consistently wearing extensions, it may be for any of the below reasons:
Application of the wrong type of extension
Your lash technician should always work with you to customize your extensions according to the look you’re going for, as well as your facial features.
If the wrong width, length, or weight of extension is chosen, this may not only look bad but could also cause damage to your natural lashes.
If the extension is too heavy for your lashes, the natural lash will become stressed as a result of this excess weight.
It may eventually fall out as a result, which will therefore cause thinning of your natural lash line.
If the extension is applied to any of your baby lashes (so, those which have just come into the anagen or growth phase), then the baby lash will buckle under this weight and may fall out.
Similarly, if the wrong length or width of extension is used, your natural eyelashes may become stressed. As they grow out, you’ll likely experience premature lash shedding and thinning as a result of the stress.
You’ll also find that your eyes look strange because of this uneven growth and application.
Poor application of the extensions
You may already know what a ‘sticky’ and a ‘nailhead’ is. If not, then read on, as either of these can cause your natural eyelashes to fall out.
A nailhead is when the extension is glued onto the actual skin of your eyelid. This should never happen. Extensions should only ever be attached to or bonded with natural eyelashes.
Gluing the extension to your eyelid will impede natural lash growth, and likely cause them to grow short, or to fall out entirely.
Stickies occur when two or more natural lashes are glued together and bonded with the extension.
They’re often a sign of a newly qualified technician. As the natural lashes grow out, the sticky will stress them, and the weaker one will tug out.
If this happens to many lashes, you’ll end up with a significantly thinned lash line.
Read more on How To Fix Uneven Lash Extensions
Why Are My Eyelashes Straight After Extensions?
Your natural eyelashes might be straight and stubby-looking after wearing extensions due to poor application and aftercare, and subsequent problems with the growth of your natural lashes.
If you think that your natural eyelashes are looking very straight and feel weak and brittle after having worn eyelash extensions, it may be that your extensions weren’t applied correctly.
Do Eyelashes Grow Back After Lash Extensions?
Unfortunately, if you attend a poor lash technician who incorrectly or inappropriately applies your eyelash extensions, then your natural lashes may need some TLC whilst they grow back in.
The good news is that eyelashes will grow back after lash extensions. However, it may take around six to eight weeks for them to do so, depending on your genetics. This is because of the natural lash growth cycle.
Your lashes have three phases of life. In the anagen phase, they are growing, in the catagen phase, they are transitioning, and in the telogen phase, they are resting.
In the anagen phase, your lashes are growing. Anywhere from 35-40% of your upper lashes are in the anagen phase at any one time, with the remaining lashes in either the catagen or telogen phase.
If your lashes are in the catagen or telogen phase, your lashes aren’t actively growing. In the catagen phase, your hair follicles are shrinking as you transition into the telogen phase.
As such, if you lose your natural lashes in this phase due to extensions, you’ll need to wait until your lashes enter their anagen phase.
In the telogen phase, your lashes are growing another hair follicle. The old lash will eventually fall out naturally once this has grown in entirely, but this can take anywhere from three to four months.
As such, if you lose your lashes during this phase, they also won’t grow back in as swiftly.
7 Tips For Supporting Eyelash Growth
1. Use a lash growth serum
Unsurprisingly one of the best ways to support the repair and restoration of your natural eyelashes is by using a lash growth serum.
There are a number of options available to purchase, many of which are proven to be effective.
Look for formulas that are dermatologically approved, rather than just cosmetic. Remember to always patch test before use, so as to be sure that you aren’t allergic.
2. Use gentle products around your eyes
You need to take care of the lashes that you do have. Ensure that you only use gentle ingredients and formulas on the delicate skin around your eyes.
If you’re having to tug or use serious friction in order to remove your make-up, for example, you’re at higher risk of pulling out the lashes that you do have.
It’s for this reason that it’s best to avoid waterproof mascara, which requires more effort to remove.
Don’t be fooled by quick fixes, either. Using false eyelashes may damage your natural lashes as a result of friction with their glue strip, and curlers might also cause breakage of your lashes.
3. Nourish and condition with natural oils
There are plenty of natural products that you can use on your lashes if you’d rather steer clear of lash growth serums.
Castor oil and coconut oil are nutrient-dense and great for conditioning and moisturizing your lashes.
You could also use vitamin E oil – vitamin E is well-linked to hair growth and is also excellent for the skin.
Use a clean or disposable mascara wand and a spoolie to carefully brush these oils onto your lashes. Take care that you focus particular attention on the mid-section of your lashes brushing down towards the roots.
4. Brush your lashes
Brushing your natural lashes can be a great way of stimulating growth. It will also help to detangle your lashes too, which can help with the appearance of length.
You can purchase a specialist tool to brush your lashes, or just use a clean mascara wand.
5. Diet
Getting omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins into your diet is a fantastic way of supporting your eyelash growth.
Look for high-protein foods that contain proteins like biotin and keratin, which are vital for supporting and maintaining the structural integrity of hair and lashes.
Other food that’s good to consume when you’re trying to grow your eyelashes includes salmon, nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables.
6. Take a break
If you’d rather give your natural lashes the chance to rest and recuperate, and you’re happy with the natural look, then by all means take a break from eyelash extensions.
Nourish and condition your lashes with oils during this break, and regularly brush them, and you’ll be helping to restore health and hydration.
7. Go to a professional salon
Next time you book in for an eyelash extension appointment, ensure that you’re headed to the best.
It might be a little more expensive, but it does mean that you’ll receive the care necessary, and can rest assured that you aren’t going to have to return in a few weeks for a touch-up.
It also allows you to remain confident that you aren’t damaging your natural lashes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
From brushing your eyelashes and nourishing them with natural oils to giving the extensions a break, there are a number of ways to fix or repair your natural eyelashes if you think that extensions have damaged them.
It will vary from person to person, but you can expect it to take anywhere from six to eight weeks for your natural lashes to fully grow back following extensions. This is a result of the natural lash cycle and where your lashes are in it.