Eyelashes grow from lash follicles. Age and changes in oestrogen make the follicles weaker, leading to lighter, thinner, shorter and less dense eyelashes. The reason why eyelashes look their best up to the age of the mid-30s is because of the ideal oestrogen levels up to that age.

People on a poor diet and drug addicts have shorter and brittle eyelashes. So diet definitely affects the health of eyelashes. It is thought that a balanced diet containing protein and biotin and vitamin-rich fruits are best for eyelashes. Nutrients and essentials like vitamin C, vitamin A, omega-3 acids and iron are best obtained from citrus fruits, berries, bananas, guava, peaches, strawberries, peaches, grapes, pumpkin and green vegetables.

Not unless poorly stored and quality mascara is used. Infections will definitely put your eyelashes at risk. But use of mascara is not a problem. However, not taking off the makeup can lead to dried mascara on the lash roots, making them brittle, more at risk of injury. Waterproof mascara has been reported to be especially harsh to eyelashes.

Again, excessive trauma caused by glue used to apply eyelash extenders or, in some instances, allergies to such glues can cause problems. Otherwise, there is no contraindication to the use of eyelash extenders. However, one can take things too far:

 Madarosis means loss of eyelashes or eyebrows or both. It is derived from the Greek word “madao” which means “to fall off”. Blepharitis (anterior blepharitis is caused by seborrheic changes or staphylococcal infections and posterior blepharitis is caused by inflammation of the meibomion glands, also called meibomionitis) may be one of the causes of madarosis. Other causes include seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.

A number of prescribed medications are implicated in the loss of eyelashes and eyebrows: chemotherapy drugs, some antihypertensive medications, some anti-cholesterol drugs.

The list is long and includes alopecia, acne rosacea, allergies, malnutrition, follicular mucinosis, metabolic diseases, mitochondrial myopathies, HIV infections, cutaneous sarcoidosis among others. An important cause of loss of eyelashes is inflammation or malignancy. It is important to have a specialist examine you to ensure you do not have one of these conditions, especially if you are losing lashes in one particular area of one eyelid.

This can range from control of local inflammation along the eyelids and eyelash roots, to treatment of pulling of lashes (trichotillomania). Identification of any agents causing allergies is important.

Eyelash growth is estimated to be about 0.05 mm per day and a single lash will grow for five to six months before falling out. 

 Poliosis comes from the Greek word “pilios” which means gray. Patients with poliosis have decreased levels of melanin in the roots of the affected hair follicles. Poliosis can affect hair on the scalp, eyebrows eyelashes or other parts of the body. Stress does NOT cause poliosis contrary to common belief. Poliosis is often genetic and may be related to autoimmune diseases like vitiligo. It is also seen with alopecia areata, piebaldism (white hair above the forehead together with discoloured forehead skin), Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, and Waardenburg syndrome. 

Latisse contains Bimatoprost which is normally used to treat glaucoma. It also has the effect of enhancing lash growth when applied to the roots of the lashes. Rarely, patients may be sensitive to the medication, in which case it should not be used. You can read up on Latisse HERE.