5 Reasons Why Your Brows And Lashes Are Thinning

The good news: There’s still hope.

Nov 16, 2020

They say you don’t really miss the water until the well runs dry—and, well, the same is true when it comes to our brows and lashes. One day, they’re all thick and lush (and usually under-appreciated), and then suddenly, you’re staring at bald spots and sparse strands, wondering where your hair had gone.

It’s likely that your formerly low-maintenance beauty routine is taking longer, too: Unlike before when all you needed was a quick brush-up, you now need more time to fill in and apply more products just to get that full look.

So why exactly are your brows and lashes suddenly going M.I.A.? Before opting for a dramatic fix or splurging on all sorts of magic formulas, it’s important to understand the factors that affect the look and health of your strands. Here, we break down the common reasons why you’re experiencing this beauty dilemma—and what you can do to fix it.

1. You’re getting older

In case you haven’t realized: Your hair, including your brows and lashes, age, too. As you get older, the rate of hair growth slows down, resulting in visible thinning and the loss of volume especially on your scalp. While this natural process usually starts in your 30s or 40s, it can also affect those in their 20s—especially if aggravated by other factors, such as stress and an unhealthy lifestyle.

2. You may have hormonal issues

Reproductive hormone changes can also be to blame, with abrupt changes causing sudden hair loss. This explains the sudden thinning of hair postpartum as well as during menopause. If you just gave birth, don’t worry; most women return to their normal hair growth cycle within six to 12 months after childbirth.

Hair loss can also be triggered by a thyroid deficiency in some cases, so it’s best to have your thyroid checked by your doctor especially if you notice dramatic changes.

3. You have skin issues affecting hair growth

Thinning brows can be a side effect of skin issues such as eczema or atopic dermatitis, as these can cause itching and inflammation in the brow area. Eye infections, meanwhile, can also affect the growth of your lashes, especially if there’s constant rubbing.

4. You may have a nutritional deficiency

An iron deficiency, low levels of zinc, and the lack of protein—especially if your protein levels drop dramatically due to a diet change—have also been known to affect hair growth and the health of your strands. Consult your doctor for proper guidance on how to make sure you’re getting the right vitamins and nutrients you need.

5. Your grooming habits may be working against you.

Are you a fan of tweezing, waxing, and all sorts of brow grooming methods? Over time, the constant trauma can cause hair follicles to die out, resulting in the permanent thinning of the eyebrows.

Similarly, your regular eyelash extension appointments can also backfire in the long run. While they look amazing for a period of time, the wear and tear can affect your natural strands. Too much tugging and pulling in the eye area during makeup application can cause your lashes to fall off, too.

Here’s what you can do

While aging is inevitable, there’s still much you can do to help counteract or slow down the disappearance of your precious eyebrows and lashes:

Try a natural, hands-off approach. Lay low on the waxing or extensions for a while and let your hair follicles rest and recover from years of trauma. When washing or applying makeup, be sure to use a gentle touch to minimize friction.
Improve your diet. Eat a healthy diet rich in protein, biotin, healthy fats, antioxidants, and zinc. Eggs are great source of both protein and biotin, which are nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth. Nutritional supplements can also be helpful in addressing certain deficiencies.

Metagenics PhytoMulti, P2,200	Metagenics Zinc AG, P1,200
Metagenics D3 2000 Complex, P1,500	Metagenics Ultra Potent C 1000, P2,200

Try derma-approved hair growth serums. While natural remedies, like castor oil, have been proven to help improve hair growth, you can achieve faster results with expertly-formulated serums. These contain active ingredients that not only encourage growth; they also condition, nourish, and strengthen your existing strands.

Check out these clinically-proven formulas that promise real results:

For your brows:

Rapid Brow Eyebrow Enhancing Serum, P2,500

Its claim to fame: This serum is formulated with the exclusive Hexatein 2 Complex, a unique blend featuring six powerful ingredients that boost hair growth and health: polypeptides, biotin, panthenol, keratin, apple fruit cell extract, and sweet almond extract.
Results: Though it varies from person to person, its been proven to boost eyebrow density in a few weeks.
How to use: Using the mini brush, apply to bare brows twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening. It also works to tame strands, so you can use it as a substitute for your clear brow mascara.

For your lashes:

Rapid Lash Eyelash Enhancing Serum, P2,500

Its claim to fame: A sister product of the Rapid Brow, this award-winning blend is powered by another innovative formula: the Hexatein 1 Complex, which features a mix of polypeptides, biotin, panthenol, amino acids, soybean oil, and pumpkin seed extract to condition, moisturize, and fortify your lashes.
Results: With consistent use, you can see visible improvement in lash length and density in four to six weeks.
How to use: Apply to the base of your upper lashes using the brush. Start from the inner corner of the eye going outwards. Use once a day, before bedtime.

MD Lash Factor, P7,500

Its claim to fame: This physician-formulated eyelash conditioning serum may be a splurge, but it boasts of a patented award-wining formula: It’s infused with cytokines, a class of molecules that signal cells to enter growth phase; antioxidants to support lash growth, and vitamins to improve circulation of nutrients to lash follicles. It’s ophthalmologist-tested, so it’s safe for sensitive eyes and even contact lens wearers. The best part? You can also use it for your brows!
Results: You can already see visible improvement starting from the first week of use. (Results vary from person to person.)
How to use: Before bedtime, apply a thin line of product to the base of your upper lashes, similar to how you apply your liquid liner. No need to apply to the lower lashes; as you sleep, the serum on the top lashes will also nourish your lower lashes.

Want to talk to a pro regarding your brow and lash problems? You can book a virtual consultation with our resident dermatologist, Dr. Maximin Navarro, a Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) fellow, and Michelle Reyes-Navarro, founder of Bella Pelle Philippines.

For more beauty and skincare tips, subscribe to our newsletter:

SHOP OTHER PRODUCTS:

Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements, P3,000	Bosley Hair Regrowth Treatment Regular Strength For Women, P2,750
Bosley BOSRevive Starter Kit, P2,800	Bosley Professional Strength Follicle Energizer, P1,800