Skip to content
How Long Do Eyelashes Take to Grow Back? The Lash Cycle Explained for Australians
It usually happens the morning after a set of extensions comes off, or the week you finally stop picking at your lashes, or when you're back on your feet after being unwell. You lean towards the mirror and see gaps, short stubby lashes, a lash line that looks bare. The question arrives straight away: how long until they come back?
The honest answer is longer than you'd like and shorter than you fear. This guide explains how lashes actually grow, how long regrowth takes, what slows it down and what genuinely helps, wherever you live in Australia.
We sell LashViva Peptide Eyelash Serum, mentioned near the end, so we have an interest in this topic. We've tried to be straight about what a serum can and can't do.
Your lashes run on a cycle
Every lash follows a three-stage cycle. First comes the growth phase, when the lash lengthens. Then a short transition phase, and finally a resting phase, after which the lash sheds and a new one begins. At any moment your lashes are at different stages, which is why you lose a few every day without noticing. There are roughly 100 to 150 lashes on an upper lid and fewer on the lower.
Compared with the hair on your head, the growth phase of a lash is short, weeks rather than years. That's why lashes stop at a modest length, and why that length is largely set by genetics.
So how long does regrowth really take?
A lash that falls out naturally, or is pulled out, typically takes around six to eight weeks to grow back to full length. Because your lashes are all at different stages, it takes a few months for the whole lash line to catch up. Think two months for an individual lash and three to four months to feel like your lashes are back to normal.
There's one important exception. If a follicle is repeatedly traumatised, by heavy extensions pulling on the lash or by habitual plucking or rubbing, it may regrow slowly, thinly or in some cases not at all.
What slows lashes down
- Traction. Extensions that are too heavy or too long, or applied to lashes that are too weak, pull on the follicle.
- Rough removal. Rubbing at waterproof mascara, aggressive wipes and tugging at the lash line all cause breakage.
- Eye rubbing and allergies. Itchy, irritated eyes lead to constant rubbing.
- Lid inflammation. Conditions such as blepharitis can affect lashes.
- Health and hormones. Thyroid conditions, some medications, illness, stress and ageing can all thin lashes.
If your lashes fall out suddenly or in patches, or your lids are red, swollen or crusted, see your GP or optometrist. That's a health question, not a beauty one.
Around Australia: how your climate treats your lashes
- Sydney and the NSW coast: salt, wind and drifting sunscreen irritate the lash line. Rinse gently with lukewarm water after swimming.
- Melbourne, Hobart and cooler Tasmania: cold, dry air and indoor heating dry out lids and make lashes brittle, so gentle conditioning matters through winter.
- Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Cairns and Darwin: humidity, sweat and sunscreen running into eyes tempt you to rub. Cleanse softly and resist the urge.
- Perth and Adelaide: hot, dry, windy days leave lids parched and dusty, so remove makeup thoroughly each night.
- Canberra: frosty, dry winters plus heaters are tough on lashes. Keep the lash line moisturised.
How to support regrowth
- Hands off. Don't pull, pluck or rub, and curl gently if you curl at all.
- Remove makeup kindly. Use an oil-free eye makeup remover and let it dissolve the product instead of scrubbing.
- Give lashes a rest. If you wear extensions, ask your technician for a lighter set and take breaks between them.
- Eat and sleep well. Lashes are hair, and hair reflects overall health.
- Be patient. Judge progress in months, not days.
Where a lash serum fits, and where it doesn't
A cosmetic serum can't rewrite the cycle you were born with. What it can do is condition lashes and support their look, so they feel stronger, break less and look fuller as they grow. The evidence for cosmetic lash serums is modest, and much of the research on cosmetic peptides is run by manufacturers. CHOICE's review of eyelash serums quotes experts who are sceptical of many products that promise growth, and notes that the one product with strong evidence, the prescription medicine bimatoprost (sold as Latisse), is available in Australia only on prescription.
So a sensible expectation for a cosmetic serum is gradual change. Plan on eight to twelve weeks of daily use, and take a photo in the same light on day one.
A closer look at LashViva
LashViva is Eastern Curlew's peptide eyelash serum. It's labelled prostaglandin-free, vegan and cruelty-free, and its product page describes it as suitable for sensitive eyes, lash extensions and lash lifts. It combines these ingredients:
- Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1 and Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, two cosmetic peptides used in lash and brow care.
- Ginseng, a botanical extract.
- Hyaluronic acid, to hydrate.
Apply a thin line along the base of the upper lashes on clean, dry skin, once a day. A little goes a long way, and one dip is enough for both eyes.
Frequently asked questions
How long do eyelashes take to grow back?
A single lash usually takes around six to eight weeks to reach full length, and the whole lash line typically takes three to four months to catch up.
Do eyelashes grow back after extensions?
Usually, yes, as long as the follicle hasn't been repeatedly damaged. Lighter sets, careful removal and breaks between sets all help.
Can I make my eyelashes grow faster?
Not beyond your natural cycle, but you can protect lashes from breakage, keep them conditioned and avoid pulling. A cosmetic serum can support how lashes look as they grow.
Will a lash serum work if I've pulled out my lashes?
It can support the condition of regrowing lashes, but if you pull or rub regularly, the habit matters more than any product. See your GP if the urge to pull is hard to control.
Is LashViva prostaglandin-free?
Yes. Eastern Curlew labels LashViva prostaglandin-free, so it isn't a prescription-strength product and results are gradual.
Sources: CHOICE Australia, review of eyelash serums. This article is general information, not medical advice. Results vary. See a GP or optometrist about sudden lash loss, eye pain, swelling or changes in vision.
Ready to give your lashes a nourishing routine? Meet LashViva Peptide Eyelash Serum by Eastern Curlew.