BRACE YOURSELF...THE FALL SHED IS COMING!

There are so many reasons to love fall. Red and yellow leaves coat the sidewalks, Pumpkin Spice Lattes steam from gloved hands, and the crazy summer schedules finally wind down—plus any excuse to buy new boots is OK in my books. But the weather isn’t the only thing transitioning this season—your lashes are changing too.

On average, people will lose between 1 and 5 lashes every day. This is because at any given point in time, you have lashes in every stage of growth—from baby lashes just appearing, to mature lashes ready to shed. A single lash normally takes months to complete its growth cycle, but in fall and winter that cycle can shift, and lashes may shed more frequently. So if your clients come in for their fill appointments complaining their lashes are falling out, don’t panic! We’ve got a little insight for you and your clients, so you can both float through this season like the smell of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving.

SO WHY DO LASHES SHED IN THE FALL?

Why our lash cycle changes in fall isn’t entirely known, but it’s thought that the beginning of this change actually happens mid-summer. On average, the cycle of a single lash lasts somewhere between 60 and 90 days, with the active growth (Anagen) phase lasting 15-20 days, the transitional (Catagen) phase lasting 14-21 days, and the resting (Telogen) phase lasting 30-45 days. During summer, intense heat may trigger more lash hairs to go into the resting phase, halting growth, and causing them to fall out over the next month or two.

Additionally, changes in humidity that occur in the autumn months can play a role in your lashes’ growth cycle. If your skin is very dry, your hair follicles (located just under the skin) don’t get the nourishment they need for your lashes to grow. This causes brittle lashes that are more likely to fall out before their time is up.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREPARE FOR THE FALL SHED?

Educate your clients.

To avoid the panicked my-lashes-are-falling-out phone calls, tell your clients what to expect. Let them know at their next appointment that some people experience heavier lash shedding in the fall and winter months, and it’s completely normal.

Check for signs of stress.

Make sure that if your clients lashes are shedding more than usual, that it’s due to the Fall Shed, and not stress on the lashes. Remember, overloading the lashes with weight can result in premature shedding. If lashes are shedding from excess weight, you’ll notice in your fill appointments that your client is missing their teenage lashes (Catagen lashes), and they only have baby lashes and mature lashes left.

Book your clients in earlier.

Heavier shedding means more frequent fills. If you notice your clients are experiencing more lash loss than usual, encourage them to book a 2 week fill instead of a 3-4 week, to keep their lash sets looking amazing all season long!

Use products that promote retention!

This won't keep your clients natural lashes from shedding, but promoting retention will ensure that all falling lashes have a natural lash attached, and your extensions aren't just popping off. For lasting hold through the dry autumn months, use Elite Adhesive. With an ideal RH range of 20-75%, Elite effortlessly bonds lash extensions to the natural lash on those crisp fall days. Shop Elite Adhesive.

Not sure what the RH in your lashing space is? Track relative humidity and temperature with our Digital Thermo-Hygrometer! Shop Hygrometer.

So let your clients in on the secret of the fall shed, and everyone can enjoy a calm, cool, season!