The Truth About Aging and Hair Loss on the Scalp, Lashes, and Brows

February 05, 2021

No one wants to have thinning hair or scanty lashes and brows. But is there really anything we can do about it? Let's take a look at this sensitive topic so we can separate fact from fiction.

Because our hair has a huge impact on our appearance, we are invested in maintaining it. It then behooves us to understand what we can do to combat hair loss. I see just as much concern about lash and brow loss as scalp hair loss these days. And rightly so. Aging shows no mercy on hair loss for many of us.

Skin is Thinner Around the Eyes – and – Why it Matters!

We cannot address lash and brows without stating clearly, caring for the delicate skin of the eyes while also ensuring the best health of eyelashes and brows is an important part of good skincare. We often don't make this connection or overlook it until we struggle with lash and brow loss.

The skin around the eyes is much thinner than the skin on the rest of the face and body. I remind you to use only products developed for the eye in the eye area because using heavy products will produce counter-productive results for the skin and impact what is happening with your lashes and brows.

Understand the Growth Cycle of Lashes and Brows

You likely already know that scalp hair has a natural growth cycle. Did you know that lashes and brows do too? You will be relieved to know that while lash loss is scary, it is normal (to a point). The average person will shed 1 – 5 lashes every day. The average person has 90 to 150 eyelashes on the upper lid and 70 to 80 eyelashes on the bottom lash line. The average lash length is about 0.39 inches, just a little over ¼ inch. They do back with the right care. However, as we age, the growth process may take a little longer. The good news is we can support the process instead of hindering it.

The lash and brows have a much shorter 3-part growth cycle than scalp hair with a 4-part life cycle and a much longer duration. The first of the 3-part growth phase for lashes and brows is called anagen and takes 4 – 10 weeks. The degradation phase called catagen is when the hair follicle shrinks, and growth slows. This stage lasts for 2 – 3 weeks. If an eyelash unnaturally falls out during this phase, that follicle stays empty until it moves through the telogen phase. In other words, that spot will stay empty until the follicle reaches the anagen phase again. The resting phase, called telogen, lasts 3 – 4 months. It is during the telogen phase that lashes or brows fall out naturally, and the cycle starts over. The entire growth cycle for lashes and brows takes 4 to 11 months, as opposed to the 3 – 5 years of scalp hair growth cycle.

Know What Affects the Growth Cycle

The duration range is affected by the individual's overall health and things like genetics, stress, trauma to the lash or brow, hormonal fluctuations, environmental (metals, chemicals), nutrition, and diet.

Trauma occurs by rubbing the eyes, using and removing mascara or eyeliners (waterproof is the worse), applying or removing false eyelashes, and lash extensions. The chemicals in these products wreak havoc on the health and growth cycle of the natural lash and brow.

Know What You CAN Do

Here are some tips to demonstrate what you CAN do for better hair growth.

Reduce Stress & Trauma - Stress can produce increased levels of testosterone, which converts to DHT, interrupting the hair growth cycle. Stress also constricts the blood supply through the capillaries, restricting oxygen, nutrient uptake, and vitamins to the follicle.

Be Aware of Hormonal Fluctuations - A malfunction of the hormone-producing thyroid or the natural changes women experience after pregnancy, menses', and menopause can affect hair growth.

Detox - Air and water pollutants, chlorine, metals, and minerals left in the hair and on the scalp—as well as pseudo-estrogens and toxins from within our bodies—can contribute to thinning of hair.

Be Aware of Body Changes - Hair follicles are extremely sensitive to changes in the body, such as hormonal therapies like birth control, steroids, specific chemotherapies, and medications for blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or acne.

Balanced Diet - Did you know high consumption of animal fats, rapid weight loss, and liquid protein diets can result in a lack of amino acids, biotin, iron, protein, and zinc — all essential for healthy-looking hair? This, too, affects lashes and brows. It's not unusual for keto dieters to experience hair loss and changes in the condition of hair. It's better to eat a balanced diet than a restrictive one.

Know What Works and What Doesn't

The only OTC product that has PROVEN to work is Latisse because it contains bimatoprost, an ingredient found in a prescription for treating glaucoma. The side effect in glaucoma patients using this product was longer lashes. However, an unpleasant side effect of Latisse is discoloration of the eyelids and iris. 

For a product to work *without any negative side effects* it must contain ingredients bioavailable to the human body, and it must be able to impact the hair growth cycle.

That's why I love NeoGenesis hair, lash, and brow products. These products are clinically proven to work AND are 100% safe with NO negative side effects.

Having said that, NO product works overnight. The growth cycle for lashes and brows (as mentioned above) is 4 – 11 weeks. You MUST apply the product faithfully for 30 days and nights to where the follicle emerges NOT to the hair shaft itself, to get results. Full disclaimer: It works for MOST people, but it does not work for everyone.

For the NeoGenesis scalp hair product, this means applying it while your hair is damp to prevent it from being absorbed by the hair shaft where it will not produce results. The lash and brow mean using the specially designed applicators to get it into the follicle where it can impact the growth cycle.

Getting the product into the follicle so it can support the anagen phase is crucial for effectiveness. Patience is required as it will take weeks for the results to be seen – but they CAN happen for most if used properly and consistently. This is when a BEFORE picture is necessary and then a picture each week for 6 – 8 weeks to see the gradual, subtle changes.

Better hair, lashes, and brows ARE possible when given the right amount of TLC!

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