It happens every year around March. We get texts from our panicked clients saying, "My retention is terrible this month!" or "I feel like my lashes are falling out faster than usual!"
First, take a deep breath. You aren’t doing anything wrong, and neither is your lash artist. If you’re noticing that your extensions are falling out more than usual with natural lashes attached, you are likely experiencing the Spring Lash Shed.
What is the Spring Shed?
Just like our pets shed their winter coats when the weather warms up here in Utah, our bodies react to the changing seasons, too. Our hair cycles speed up to shed the heavier winter growth and prepare for lighter spring growth. This affects the hair on your head—and your eyelashes.
On average, you lose 2-5 natural lashes a day. During the spring shed, that number can double slightly. Since your extensions are attached to your natural lashes, when the natural lash sheds, the extension goes with it.
What You Can Do About It
While we can't stop biology, we can manage it.
Don’t Pick! Your lashes are turning over faster; picking at them will only cause gaps.
Book Sooner: During March and April, we recommend scheduling your fills closer to the 2-week mark rather than 3 weeks. This helps us catch the new growth and keep your lash line looking full.
Keep Cleaning: It might be tempting to touch them less, but you still need to wash your lashes daily to keep the follicles healthy so the new hair can grow through strong.
By late April, your cycle usually stabilizes. If you’re worried about your retention, just ask us at your next appointment! We can check your natural lash health and adjust our application to get you through the shedding season.