The long and short of how I fixed my balding eyelashes
Once upon a time, I was also a strong advocate for eyelash extensions. I loved how they instantly made my eyes pop—no mascara needed. That was, until one day when I noticed something worrying: my natural lashes were getting shorter and more sparse, and some spots were completely bald after removing my extensions.
If you’re currently staring at a bald patch on your lash line and frantically searching for a fix, don’t panic. That moment marked the start of my lash recovery journey and turned me into a bit of an eyelash expert along the way.
Do Eyelashes Grow After Being Pulled or Falling Out?
The number one question I had was: “Will my eyelashes ever grow back?”
The short answer? Yes, they absolutely do.
Your bald patch won’t stay bald permanently. However, they do take some time to grow back out. Here’s what you need to know:
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Eyelash hairs grow in cycles, just like scalp hair.
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When a lash is plucked or falls out naturally, it can take about 6 to 8 weeks to grow back fully.
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Made of 10% water and 90% proteins, eyelashes grow slower than the hair on your head—roughly 0.12–0.14mm per day, compared to 0.35mm/day for scalp hair.
That means your lash bald patch might linger for a while. But with the right TLC, it will fill back in.
Eyelash Serum To The Rescue
The best thing you can do at this point is to invest in a bottle of daily eyelash serum. Specifically, I chose a gentle, hormone-free option, Cangro’s Long Lashes. Eyelash growth serum was what helped me nourish and repair my lashes, leaving them stronger, thicker and fuller in as little as 4-8 weeks.
It contains multiple vitamins and peptides that help stimulate, condition and strengthen the eyelashes. Ultimately, it provide heaps of nourishment for my lashes and down to the hair follicles, so they have long lasting impacts and grow out nice and healthily.
And, I'd be ready for the next lash extension!
Why Long Lashes?
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Vegan and cruelty-free
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Free from prostaglandin analogues
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Packed with peptides and antioxidants
Peptides for Eyelash Regrowth: Why They Matter
So what makes this lash serum effective?
One word: Peptides.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, and since your eyelashes are made of proteins (which are built from amino acids), feeding them peptides is like giving them the raw material they need to grow.
Long Lashes has a host of peptides which are essential for lash growth - Pentapeptide, Hexapeptide, Tetrapeptide, Biotinyl Tripeptide. These not only promote growth but also strengthen lashes at the follicle level.
NO SUNKEN EYES. NO DARKEN EYELIDS!
This gentle formula, without growth hormones (ie. without prostaglandins), ensures that it is non-invigorating for sensitive eyes.
Why You Should Avoid Lash Serums with Growth Hormones
Many lash serums on the market use prostaglandin analogues—hormone-like ingredients that can stimulate lash growth. But they come with serious downsides:
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Sunken eyes due to orbital fat loss
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Darkened eyelids or iris discoloration
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Redness and itching
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Long-term thinning of lash line when discontinued
An aesthetic doctor in Singapore saw his patients experiencing side effects from use eyelash serums with prostaglandins analogue. They were having sunken eye appearance with the loss of fats around the eyes and reduced eyeball pressure. And, deposition of pigments in the eyelids worsening dark eye circles.
Look at the unwanted side-effects here.
Read here to find out other ingredients you want to avoid when choosing your eyelash serum too.
Also note to avoid waterproof mascara and false eyelashes too, as both are very difficult to remove and require some force on your natural lashes during removal. If really necessary, apply mascara sparingly. However, eyelash curlers should definitely be avoided as they pull out your lashes inadvertently. Read our article on how different eye makeup solutions may strain your eyelashes.
Pro-Tips for Lash Serum Application
Pro-tip #1: Twice A Day Is Enough
It isn’t necessary to over-apply the lash serum 3 or 4 times a day, as the skin’s absorption is limited. The skin also takes time to adapt to the eyelash serum, and hence applying just twice a day is recommended, to prevent the skin from getting a shock with an influx of serum.
Pro-tip #2: Consistency is Key
Apply the serum twice daily for at least 12 weeks, then reduce to every other day for maintenance. This ensures your lashes are nourished through all phases of the lash growth cycle: Growth → Transition → Resting so that your result will be optimal and you will be seeing the growth quickly.
Fig. Three stages of eyelash growth cycle: Growth, Degradation or Transition, Resting
Pro-tip #3: Ditch Waterproof Mascara & Curlers
While you’re in lash recovery mode, avoid:
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Waterproof mascara (difficult to remove = more lash loss)
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False lashes (adds weight and weakens follicles)
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Curlers (can tug lashes out)
See how you can apply eyelash serum correctly and easily.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuZSH98fQQk&t=2s
Final Thoughts: Lashes Do Grow Back. Be Gentle. Be Patient
Recovering from a bald eyelash patch can be frustrating—but it is fixable. Just be patient, consistent, and choose your lash serum wisely. A good serum doesn’t just offer a quick fix—it helps protect and nourish your lashes long-term, so you can age gracefully with fuller, healthier lashes.
Whatever reason you use eyelash serum for, get ready to see long-lasting and wonderful results over the span of the weeks!
Featured in: ExpatLiving, Sassy Mama
References:
Do eyelashes grow back? What you need to know