How Long Does It Take for Eyelashes to Grow Back After Lash Extensions?

When it comes to eyelash extensions, many people worry about the potential damage they can cause to their natural lashes. However, if there is no permanent damage, the lashes that fall out when you remove your extensions should eventually grow back, perhaps in about 6 weeks or so. According to the Division of Dermatology at the University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, a full cycle of eyelashes can last between five and 11 months. Since each individual eyelash is at a different stage of the hair growth cycle, each eyelash grows at a different rate.

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for an eyelash to fully grow, but it's likely to fall somewhere in between. And according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, eyelashes grow back in about six weeks, assuming that the eyelash follicles are healthy and intact. In general, experts estimate that it takes approximately two months for eyelashes to grow back. King says that the regeneration process can take up to 16 weeks in the long term, although Phillips points out that you can usually see noticeable eyelash growth every three weeks if you do everything you can to keep your hair healthy.

Many people assume that eyelash extensions cause premature eyelash loss, but according to eyelash expert Courtney Akai, as long as you don't throw your eyelash extensions away or scrub your eyes, your extensions won't affect long-term eyelash health, she told the Huff Post. I decided to give the extensions a break after about 8 months thinking that my natural and quite long lashes would be there, but no, they were so short and barely noticeable. My eyelashes have always been thick and long; in fact, on my first visit, the anaesthetist told me how to think and what my eyelashes were like. After 3 weeks, I look like an alien with a few long eyelashes and mostly patches of bare skin where my lashes *USED to be.

Simply run the GRO Lash Serum applicator brush along the lash line once in the morning and once at night, and you'll see visible results in about four to eight weeks. Of course, you'll want to keep your beautiful lashes fully developed for as long as possible, and thankfully, there are a few things you can do. Celebrity makeup artist and eyelash expert Michelle Bouse warns against home eyelash lifts or attempts at other professional treatments at home. I just ordered the Rodan+ Fields eyelash serum (recommended by my co-workers and there are many who use it and I notice that their eyelashes look like they have an extension), so I'm going to try it.

In other words, as long as there is no lasting trauma or damage to the eyelid itself or to the hair follicles, the eyelashes should grow back. No matter how short or long the false eyelashes are, they will definitely damage the natural ones. When it comes to eyelash health, you may want to avoid waterproof formulas that can dry them out and cause excessive loss. A reputable professional eyelash technician will remove your extensions in a way that doesn't cause any damage.

After having eyelash extensions for over a year, my natural lashes were very weak and brittle when I removed them. Here, experts explain everything you need to know about eyelash loss, including how long it takes for them to grow back. Yes, eyelashes can grow back, but when they will does depends entirely on the time of the eyelash growth cycle.

Marlene Manwaring
Marlene Manwaring

Infuriatingly humble twitter geek. Freelance internet practitioner. Hipster-friendly food maven. Subtly charming beer buff. Award-winning zombie geek.