How Many Eyelash Extensions Should I Lose a Day?

Key Takeaways:

On average, expect to lose 1-5 natural eyelashes daily, so the same number of extensions if attached to natural lashes.
Losing 2-5 natural lashes per day is normal regardless of activities.
Half of extensions falling out in the first week is too much loss.
Lash loss varies by age, health, lifestyle and other factors.
Proper application and aftercare reduce eyelash extension loss.
Schedule fills every 2-3 weeks to maintain fullness.

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Introduction

Eyelash extensions have become an increasingly popular way to enhance natural lashes with length, volume, curl, and thickness. The semi-permanent extensions are applied on top of existing eyelashes, transforming thin, short lashes into a fuller, more eye-catching fringe with minimal daily effort.

When done properly, eyelash extensions can last 4-8 weeks with proper aftercare. However, some loss of extensions should be expected as your natural lashes shed. So how many eyelash extension losses per day are normal? What factors affect how quickly extensions fall out? And when should you be concerned about excessive lash loss?

This article will provide a comprehensive evaluation of how many eyelash extensions you can expect to lose each day. It covers the natural lash growth cycle, variables that influence retention, proper application and aftercare methods, signs of abnormal shedding, and how often to get refill appointments. After reading, you'll have a better understanding of extension longevity, what is normal versus excessive daily lash loss, and how to maximize the life of your set.

Gaining this knowledge will help you avoid premature lash loss, troubleshoot any issues, and get the most durability and value from your eyelash extension investment. With the right information and proper care, you can flaunt a beautiful set of faux lashes for weeks at a time.

How Many Natural Eyelashes Shed Daily?

To understand eyelash extension longevity, you first need to know the natural lash growth cycle. Human eyelashes grow in phases just like scalp hair before shedding. The anagen phase is when an eyelash follicle is active and the hair is growing. This lasts about 30-45 days.

The catagen phase transitions the hair into the resting phase. Finally, during the telogen phase, eyelashes stop growing and naturally fall out after 3-4 months to make way for a new lash to begin growing.

On average, adult eyelashes go through this renewal cycle every 4-5 weeks. During that time, it's normal to have some eyelashes in the shedding phase while others are still growing out. This continual cycling results in natural loss of a few lashes each day.

According to research by ophthalmologists, most people shed 1-5 eyelashes per eye daily as part of the normal hair growth cycle. That means losing up to 5 eyelash extensions per day may be expected if they are attached to your natural lashes that happen to be shedding.

Some lash techs claim it's common to lose between 2-5 natural lashes daily regardless of whether you have extensions or not. Losing half of your eyelash extensions during the first week is not normal though. That amount of shedding likely indicates an issue with the application or aftercare.

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What Factors Affect Eyelash Extension Longevity?

While the average person loses 1-5 natural lashes per day, lash loss can vary based on your:

Age: Hormonal changes from puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can all increase eyelash shedding. Oil gland activity also declines with age causing dry brittle lashes.
Health Conditions: Certain medical conditions like thyroid disorders, lupus, and alopecia areata can accelerate eyelash loss. Nutritional deficiencies may also play a role.
Medications: Drugs like antidepressants, blood pressure meds, cholesterol drugs, and chemotherapies are linked to extra eyelash shedding as a side effect.
Eyelash Care: Over-cleansing, harsh makeup removers, eyelash curlers, and mascaras can damage lashes and lead to premature loss whether you have extensions or not.
Lifestyle Factors: Stress, lack of sleep, and poor diet may potentially influence eyelash condition. Smoking, allergies, and frequent swimming in chlorinated water can also be problematic.
Extension Application: The expertise of your lash artist makes a big difference. Poor isolation, improper adhesive curing, and overloading lashes lead to shedding.
Aftercare Regimen: Following proper aftercare steps is key to minimizing eyelash extension loss each day.

While some lash shedding is unavoidable, taking good care of your natural lashes and extensions will maximize longevity. Proper application technique and aftercare make the most difference in how many fall out daily.

How Are Eyelash Extensions Applied?

To understand why extensions shed, it helps to know how they are applied by a trained technician:

Natural lashes are cleaned and isolated with small pads.
An adhesive glue is applied to the extension.
Using precision tweezers, the extension is placed on a single natural lash, not multiple.
Adhesive cures for several seconds to bond properly.
Extensions fan out from the outer corners of the eyes.

Ideally, a well-done application should attach each extension to just one natural lash. The adhesive bond should last as long as your natural lash stays in its growth phase.

If extensions are placed on multiple lashes or the adhesive doesn't cure properly, the bond will be weak and extensions can shed prematurely. Irritation from poor isolation or allergies can also cause excess shedding.

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What Is the Proper Aftercare Routine?

Preventing unnecessary eyelash extension loss relies heavily on proper aftercare. Here are some do's and don'ts according to lash experts:

Do:

Keep extensions dry for 24 hours after application.
Wash eyes gently every day with oil-free cleanser and avoid rubbing.
Use oil-free, water-based mascara and makeup remover.
Brush lashes downward with a clean spoolie brush once a day.
Avoid steamy showers, saunas, hot tubs, and swimming pools.
Sleep on your back to avoid crushing lashes.

Don't:

Get extensions wet for 24 hours after application.
Rub eyes or use oil-based eye makeup remover.
Use eyelash curler, waterproof mascara, or cleansing oils.
Over-brush lashes as this can cause tangling.
Expose extensions to steam, excessive moisture, oil, or makeup wipes.
Sleep face down.

Being gentle and keeping extensions clean, dry, and oil-free will help minimizedaily lash loss.

What Is Considered Excessive Shedding?

While a few extension losses per day is normal, excessive shedding likely signals an underlying issue. Contact your lash artist if you notice any of the following:

Losing 50% or more of extensions within a week of application.
Extensions shedding off in clumps, not individually.
Persistent itching, redness, swelling, or irritation of eyelids.
Significantly more extension loss from one eye versus the other.
Sudden increase in daily lash loss.
Extensions lifting off without a natural lash attached or with bulbs stuck to lashes.

Don't hesitate to reach out to your technician for advice if you are losing lashes faster than expected. Troubleshooting excessive shedding can identify any problems with the application method, adhesive used, or your aftercare routine.

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How Often Do I Need Fills?

While a full set of eyelash extensions can last 4-8 weeks with proper care, most people need fills around every 2-3 weeks. Eyelash extensions don't all fall out at the same time because natural lashes cycle independently.

Fills involve replacing the extensions that have shed while leaving existing extensions intact. This maintains the desired fullness and avoids a sparse look as lashes naturally fall out day to day.

Getting refills every 2-3 weeks is recommended by most lash experts. Otherwise, you may end up back at square one with gaps that require a full new application. Planning refill appointments ahead of time ensures you don't end up with half your eyelash extensions missing before your next visit.

Can I Reduce Eyelash Shedding?

While some natural lash shedding is inevitable, you may be able to reduce excess shedding by:

Taking a daily biotin supplement to strengthen hair and nails.
Using lash conditioner serums with peptides, botanicals, and oils.
Avoiding mechanical damage from eyelash curlers, tugs, and rough handling.
Seeing a doctor if you suspect a medical condition like thyroid imbalance.
Managing stress, getting enough sleep, and eating a balanced diet.
Quitting smoking to improve circulation to hair follicles.
Switching medications if lash loss is a side effect.

While not guaranteed, being proactive about lash health may help curtail shedding. And protecting extensions from damage can extend the time between fills.

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How Do I Know My Lash Artist Is Properly Trained?

One of the biggest factors in how long extensions last is the skill of the lash artist who applies them. Lack of training often contributes to premature lash loss. Ensure your technician:

Received extensive accredited instruction in lash application techniques.
Uses high-quality, reputable brand adhesives and materials.
Works in a licensed, regulated salon that follows sanitation practices.
Has been professionally applying lashes for several years.
Provides a comfortable, relaxing environment during appointments.
Does not overload natural lashes with too many extensions.
Achieves a natural, fanned effect with proper isolation.

Checking reviews, before/after photos, and asking questions helps verify your technician has the right training and experience for achieving long-lasting extensions.

Can Extensions Damage My Natural Lashes?

When done correctly, eyelash extensions should not cause permanent damage or loss of your natural lashes. However, improper application and removal techniques can potentially lead to breakage and thinning over time in some cases.

Using a qualified, well-trained lash artist minimizes any risk of lash damage. Make sure they:

Isolate lashes properly to avoid adhesive contacting skin.
Apply extensions using a one-to-one lash-to-extension ratio.
Use high-quality hypoallergenic adhesive and materials.
Recommend fills instead of constantly removing and reapplying.
Remove extensions properly without pulling or cutting natural lashes.

Reputable lash specialists are trained to apply extensions on top of natural lashes safely, without trauma or excess weight leading to lash loss. As long as you take care of extensions properly between appointments, your natural lashes should recover just fine if you decide to give them a break at any point.

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Conclusion

Losing a few eyelash extensions each day is very normal as your natural lashes continue their growth cycle. On average, expect to lose around 1-5 lashes per eye daily, which mirrors natural shedding. Excessive loss exceeding 5 extensions daily or 50% in the first week warrants contacting your lash artist to identify potential causes like improper application, irritation, or poor aftercare.

With a quality application by a well-trained technician along with proper at-home care of your extensions, you should only need touch-up fills every 2-3 weeks to maintain a full, beautiful set. Being gentle with extensions, keeping them clean and dry, and avoiding oil-based products will help reduce daily shedding. Schedule fills before you lose too many extensions to uphold your desired style.

Understanding the volume of eyelash extension loss to expect per day helps you monitor shedding. While some fallout is inevitable, abnormal lash loss can be addressed by troubleshooting issues with your technician. With proper care and refills every few weeks, eyelash extensions can continue looking lush and full for as long as you wish.

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