Did you know that eyelashes grow in stages? It’s true. Eyelashes have a distinct lifecycle, and they go through three stages of growth before they fall out and a new lash starts to grow. You may be wondering why you need to know this. Knowing about the lash growth stages is essential for lash technicians. Why? Because it dictates which lashes to apply extensions to, and helps you manage client expectations!
The More You Know
Knowing about the eyelash growth stages is important for a few key reasons:
It may help you explain to clients why you cannot apply extensions to every single last lash
It will help you manage expectations about lash fallout with clients
It will reinforce the need to fill lashes every 2-3 weeks with clients
It will help you, as a professional lash technician, to discern which lashes can safely receive a lash extension, and which cannot
The Three Phases of Lash Growth
There are three phases in the lash growth cycle:
Phase 1: Anagen
During the anagen phase, the lash is actively growing. This stage lasts anywhere from three to six weeks and is the stage when the lash will achieve maximum growth and length. They’re the youngest lashes, hence their virility.
Can I add an extension to an anagen-phase eyelash? No. The lash is too new and week to support the weight of the lash extension and adhesive.
Phase 2: Catagen
Lashes in the catagen phase have finished growing but are not yet ready to fall out.
Can I add an extension to a catagen-phase eyelash? Yes. These lashes are ideal for supporting lash extensions for the maximum amount of time.
Phase 3: Telogen
At the telogen phase, the lash is resting. After it rests it prepares to shed and to make way for a new lash that will start again in the anagen phase.
Can I add an extension to a telogen-phase eyelash? Yes. These lashes can support the extension sooner. However, as they’re closer to shedding than lashes in the catagen phase, they will fall out sooner.
Identifying Lashes
As you gain experience, you start to be able to easily identify lashes in each growth stage. Anagen lashes are the easiest to identify, which is helpful because they’re the lashes you want to avoid. They’re usually smaller and thinner than the other lashes, though not always shorter!
While there are always exceptions to the rule, you’ll find that your younger clients have lots of strong, dark, telogen lashes. The older a client is, the more likely it is that they’ll have thinner, shorter, weaker, and more brittle lashes. It doesn’t mean they can’t wear extensions, but you must be very mindful to apply lashes to the correct eyelashes to reduce breakage.
Knowing the lash growth phases is helpful so that you can explain to clients why their extensions will inevitably fall out, despite your stellar work. Be sure to explain the growth cycle when you’re booking clients for refill appointments so that they understand the need to return every two-three weeks to maintain their fluffy, fabulous lashes!
Cashmere Lashes
At InfinitiLash, your success is our success, so we will only ever sell you the absolute best products. Our lashes are backed with a satisfaction guarantee. We only sell Cashmere lashes in a variety of curls and lengths at the lightest weight available, because we know that they are the absolute best product on the market.
InfinitiLash - Where Beauty Meets the Eye
If you want to learn more about applying lashes, contact us to discuss our training programs, or to ask questions about our products, services, or the InfinitiLash Method. Visit us on the web 247 at infinitilash.com