We all know of the morning sickness, weird cravings, cramps, mood swings, weight gain, and other common bodily changes that happen during pregnancy. But did you know that some pregnant women also go through eyelash loss?
This isn’t very common as this usually happens after giving birth – with pregnant women instead growing thicker hair during pregnancy. But if you are one of those going through eyelash loss, know that this probably isn’t something to worry much about.
That being said, you probably still want to know how to get your fluttery fringes back – and do so safely. Lucky for you, there are a number of ways you can do just that. But let’s take a quick look at what might be causing this eyelash exodus to begin with….
Possible Causes of Lash Loss During Pregnancy
One of the reasons you may be losing eyelashes is because of changes in your thyroid function. Having underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism) thyroid glands is a common cause of eyelash loss. When you’re pregnant, you may be prone to hyperthyroidism because of the hormones estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that lead to it. Hyperthyroidism makes your hair thinner, dry, and brittle, which results in your eyelashes falling out.
Another reason could be that you’re body is lacking in appropriate nutrients and minerals. These include B12, iron, vitamin D, biotin, protein, and essential fatty acids, among others. Because your body needs double the amount of some of these when you’re pregnant, you are more prone to not consuming enough of its dietary sources. This deficiency can lead to a number of side effects and these include eyelash loss.
Another reason which is far simpler could be that you’ve been using makeup products for your eyelashes that are either expired. Some people tend to forget that they’re makeup does not in fact last forever. Makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria and if you continue to use it past its expected lifespan, you may experience things such as eyelash loss. Excessive use of faux eyelashes and extensions can also lead to your eyelashes falling out so you may want to cut back on those. Also, never forget to take off your makeup before going to bed. We all know how extra tired pregnant women can get, but this is just a basic rule.
There could be other reasons why you’re experiencing eyelash loss during pregnancy which is why it’s best to consult with your OB-GYNE so that they can also properly advise you on how to deal with it. At the same time, there are a handful of safe remedies that you can try for yourself, like…
5 Safe Ways Top Stop Eyelash Loss During Pregnancy
Proper diet
Upping your health game is always a win-win situation especially when you’re pregnant. Not only will you be giving yourself and your baby the nutrients that are needed, you’ll also be preventing unfortunate side effects of pregnancy such as eyelash loss.
According to Belashed, the best foods for eyelashes are ones that are rich in nutrients such as protein (eggs, milk, almonds, oats), biotin (whole grains, lean meat, legumes), essential fatty acids (broccoli, spinach, walnuts), beta- carotene (carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash), vitamin A (bell peppers, tropical fruits, lettuce), vitamin C (oranges, red peppers, Brussels sprouts), and iron (beans, raisins, apricots) are those that you should consider adding more into your diet. These nutrients are essential for your overall bodily functions, your baby’s healthy development, and hair growth.
But before making any drastic changes to your daily diet, first consult with your OB-GYNE to ensure that whatever you choose to consume won’t be harmful to both you and your baby.
Natural oils
Applying natural oils on your eyelashes before going to bed and letting it work its magic overnight is also an effective and safe remedy to when you’re experiencing eyelash loss during pregnancy.
Oils that are known to be effective include castor oil (rich in omega 6 fatty acids, vitamin E, protein), coconut oil (rich in fatty acids, lauric, myristic, caprylic, and capric acids), and emu oil (rich in omega 3 fatty acids). The components found in these oils help promote healthy hair growth and healthy scalps.
Eyelash growth serums
There are also eyelash growth serums that have been proven to work on preventing eyelash loss. But before you proceed to using any, it is important to take note of the ingredients.
For example, one of the most popular lash serums is Latisse – a prescription lash booster that’s clinically proven to result in longer, thicker lashes. But using Latisse during pregnancy is definitely not advised.
The FDA has assigned it under category C which is a risk rating. Although there hasn’t been any human testing, tests conducted on animals have shown adverse affects. On the other hand, eyelash conditioners that promote lash growth and health with peptides and botanical extracts are considered safe.
Biotin supplements
Biotin is an essential nutrient found in a number of dietary sources. It has a handful of benefits including healthy hair growth. There are also biotin supplements that you can purchase to meet your biotin needs. They are essentially safe even for pregnant women and can be bought over the counter.
But before you proceed to taking it, first consult with your OB-GYN because prenatal vitamins you’re taking may already contain levels of it. The recommended daily intake of biotin is at 30 micrograms and 35 micrograms for those breastfeeding.
Proper makeup habits
All makeup products have an expiration date regardless of how often you use it. Containers usually indicate how long a product can last after you’ve opened it. Once a product reaches that limit, it’s time to toss it out.
Using expired makeup products – especially those used around the eyes like mascara – is a huge no-no if you do not want to deal with its adverse affects like eyelash loss.
Also, you’re probably sick of hearing about washing your makeup off before going to bed. But this is repeated time and again for a reason. Having all that gunk sit on your face and eyelashes overnight is never a good idea. Give your lashes time to breathe!
Pregnancy brings a lot of changes to your body and eyelash loss is just one of the more unfortunate ones. Rest easy though because preventing it can be easy if you follow these safe remedies. Also, even if you choose to just let it be, your eyelashes will usually go back to normal a few months after you’ve given birth.
In the grand scheme of things, eyelash loss is just a minor bump in your journey towards welcoming your baby into the world. Here’s to you having a happy pregnancy and beautiful eyelashes.