If you’ve noticed a few more lashes on your pillowcase or in the sink lately, don’t panic! You aren’t losing your hair, and your lash tech isn’t doing anything wrong. You are likely just experiencing the Spring Lash Shed.
At Professional Eyelash Extensions by Sandy, we want our Phoenix clients to feel confident and informed about their lash health. Here is everything you need to know about why your lashes seem to be making a “spring break” of their own.
The Science: It’s All About Biology
Just like the coat of a golden retriever, human hair reacts to the changing seasons. As the weather warms up and the days get longer, our bodies trigger a transition in the hair growth cycle.
Your natural lashes go through three specific phases:
- Anagen (Growth): The active growing phase.
- Catagen (Transition): The lash stops growing and the follicle shrinks.
- Telogen (Resting/Shedding): The lash falls out to make room for a new one.
In the spring, our bodies often speed up this cycle to help us regulate temperature. This results in a higher percentage of lashes entering the Telogen phase at the exact same time.
The “Phoenix Factor”
Living in the desert adds an extra layer to the shedding mystery. Here in the Valley, the jump from a mild winter to a blistering spring means:
- Increased Humidity Changes: As we start turning on the A/C, the air inside becomes much drier, which can make natural lashes more brittle.
- Allergy Season: Phoenix is notorious for spring allergens. If you are rubbing your eyes more often due to pollen or dust, you are physically pulling those extensions out before they are ready to drop.
How to Survive the Spring Shed
While you can’t stop Mother Nature, you can definitely manage the transition so your eyes still look full and fabulous.
- Book Fills Closer Together: If you usually go 3 weeks between fills, consider coming in at the 2-week mark during March and April to keep your lash line looking dense.
- Hands Off! Avoid the urge to “help” a loose lash fall out. Picking or pulling can damage the follicle, meaning a new lash might not grow back as quickly.
- Use a Lash Serum: Keeping your natural lashes nourished with a professional-grade serum can help strengthen the bond and support the growth of the incoming “baby” lashes.
- Cleanse Daily: Use a lash-safe cleanser to wash away pollen and allergens that cause itchiness.
Don’t Worry, It’s Only Temporary
The good news? The spring shed usually only lasts about six weeks. Once your body adjusts to the new season, your growth cycle will stabilize, and your retention will return to normal.
Expert Tip from Sandy: “If you’re noticing more than 5 lashes falling out per day, give me a call! We can adjust your lash map to use lighter extensions that put less stress on your natural lashes during this high-shed season.”
Ready to refresh your look for the season? Click here to book your Spring Refresh with Sandy at Phoenix Lashes!