Damaged lashes: How to repair them and grow them back.

Damaged lashes can significantly affect your eye look, and they can take a while to fully recover.

Whether you suffer from brittle, fallen out or weakened lashes due to eyelash extensions, overuse of mascara or other causes, there are several ways to care for and regrow them. In this blog, we answer common questions and provide practical tips for recovery.

In this article you will read about:

  • How do you know your lashes are damaged
  • Can your lashes grow back
  • How do I restore my lashes after lash extensions
  • What is the best oil for my lash growth and thickness

Key take aways:

  • Damaged eyelashes can be recognized by breakage, thinning hairs, and bald spots.
  • Eyelashes can grow back within 6–8 weeks if you use the right care, such as an eyelash serum and natural oils.
  • After eyelash extensions, it helps to temporarily avoid makeup, use nourishing oils, and eat a healthy diet.
  • Castor oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil have been proven effective in stimulating eyelash growth and thickening hairs.

How do you know your eyelashes are damaged?

Damaged eyelashes can often be recognized by the following signs:

  • Thinning eyelashes and bald spots
  • Rapid breakage when applying or removing mascara
  • Eyelashes that are uneven in length
  • Redness or irritation of the eyelids due to weakened eyelash follicles

If you recognize these symptoms, it is important to adjust your beauty routine and give your eyelashes extra care.

Can your eyelashes grow back?

Yes, in most cases, broken eyelashes can grow back completely, as long as the hair follicle isn't damaged.

Eyelashes have a natural growth cycle and typically grow back within 6 to 8 weeks.

Important:

  • Do not damage the hair follicle any further
  • Focus on proper eyelash care
  • Consider using an eyelash serum

2.1 | How can I make my eyelashes grow back faster?

You can help your eyelashes grow back faster by using an eyelash serum that stimulates the hair follicle and extends the growth phase. It also helps prevent damage and keeps your eyelashes healthy, so they grow back faster and stronger.

2.2 | Prostaglandin Eyelash Serum

Do you have damaged, short, or sparse eyelashes and are you looking to maximize their growth? If so, a prostaglandin eyelash serum is often the most effective option. These serums extend the growth phase of your eyelashes, allowing them to grow longer and appear fuller and longer.

Because prostaglandins are potent active ingredients, it’s important to choose a mild and carefully formulated serum. This ensures a good balance between effectiveness, comfort, and safety as is the case with Syrene Superlash.

2.4 | Natural oil for eyelash care

For extra care, a natural eyelash oil, such as castor oil, can be a valuable addition. Castor oil deeply nourishes and conditions the eyelashes, making them feel softer and less prone to breakage.

Products such as Syrene Castor Oil are therefore primarily designed to strengthen, nourish, and maintain healthy eyelashes over the long term

Which product suits your situation?

Which product is the best fit depends primarily on your priority.

3. | How do I restore my lashes after lash extensions?

Eyelash extensions can weaken your natural lashes, especially if they have been improperly removed or if you have worn them for a long time. To restore your lashes, you can take the following steps:

  • Avoid further damage: Temporarily avoid using eyelash extensions or waterproof mascara.
  • Use an eyelash serum: This will help strengthen your lashes and make them grow faster.
  • Hydrate with natural oils: Oils such as castor oil nourish the hair follicles and improve the condition of your lashes. The best way to apply this is through eye massages.
  • Eat healthy: Foods high in biotin, vitamin E and iron contribute to strong eyelashes.

Broken eyelashes heal faster when you keep the hair follicle intact.

4.0 | Various forms of damaged eyelashes

Causes:

  • Congenital or hereditary hair loss (alopecia)
  • Hormonal changes or thyroid problems
  • Excessive rubbing, infections or trauma to the eyelid

Solutions:

  • Consult a doctor or dermatologist in case of sudden hair loss to establish a diagnosis or rule out any conditions
  • If conditions have been ruled out or treated, you can use an eyelash serum to stimulate hair follicles where possible
  • Avoid rubbing or using irritating products on the area

Bald spots often occur when hair follicles are temporarily inactive or become damaged.

Care routine: castor oil

Do you mainly want to nourish your eyelashes and reduce breakage in a natural way? Then an eyelash oil such as castor oil is a valuable addition. Castor oil conditions your lashes and makes them softer. Keep in mind that oil itself does not stimulate new growth.

4.2 | Eyelash loss (e.g., in one eye)

Causes:

  • Infections or inflammation of the eye or eyelid
  • Trauma, such as rubbing or eyelash extensions
  • Medical treatments (chemotherapy, certain medications)

Solutions:

  • First treat any infections or inflammation with medical advice
  • Use gentle care products and a mild make-up remover
  • If there are no conditions or diagnoses that have been treated, an eyelash serum can help speed up the recovery of the eyelashes

Eyelash loss can be temporary, but proper eyelash care speeds up the recovery process.

4.3 | Thinner eyelashes

Causes:

  • Ageing or hormonal changes
  • Deficiency in nutrients such as biotin or protein (rare with a Western diet)
  • Frequent use of mascara, eyelash curlers or extensions

Thinner eyelashes often go hand in hand with broken eyelashes, because weakened hairs break more easily.

Solutions:

  • Use a nourishing eyelash serum with growth factors and/or prostaglandin analogues
  • Improve your diet with hair growth-promoting vitamins and minerals
  • Avoid aggressive make-up or treatments that dry out eyelashes

4.4 | Eyelashes do not grow back

Are your eyelashes not growing back? This could indicate damaged hair follicles.

Causes:

  • Damaged or dead hair follicles
  • severe skin conditions or scarring
  • chronic inflammation of the eyelid

Solutions:

  • Consult a doctor or dermatologist
  • Use an eyelash serum to reactivate dormant hair follicles (if possible)
  • Protect your eyelashes from further damage

Please note: Severely damaged hair follicles do not always recover.

5. | What is the best oil for eyelash growth and thickness?

Natural oils can help repair and strengthen damaged lashes. Here are some of the most effective oils:

  • Castor oil: Stimulates hair growth and makes lashes fuller and thicker.
  • Jojoba oil: Moisturizes and nourishes eyelashes without weighing them down.
  • Coconut Oil: Protects and repairs damaged lashes through its moisturizing properties.
  • Almond Oil: Rich in vitamins and antioxidants that strengthen the lash structure.

Oils do not stimulate new growth, but they improve the condition of the hair and reduce breakage.

We ourselves are a big fan of eye massage with a few drops of the above oil, with our preference being castor oil. The Syrene castor oil eyelash serum is ideal for anyone who wants to improve the condition of their eyelashes naturally

Conclusion

Bald spots on the eyelashes

Damaged eyelashes, including broken ones, can usually recover with the right care. By:

  • avoiding harmful habits
  • using nourishing oils and serums
  • and maintaining a healthy lifestyle

you can ensure that your lashes regain strength and fullness.

Source

Causes:

  • infections or inflammation
  • trauma such as rubbing or extensions
  • medical treatments

Solutions:

  • treat the underlying cause first
  • opt for gentle care
  • support recovery with an eyelash serum

Eyelash loss is often temporary. Proper care accelerates recovery.

Thinner or broken eyelashes

Causes:

  • aging or hormonal changes
  • a nutritional deficiency
  • frequent use of mascara, eyelash curlers, or extensions

Solutions:

  • use a nourishing eyelash serum
  • pay attention to your diet
  • avoid harsh products

Thinner lashes and broken lashes often go hand in hand. Weakened hairs simply break more easily.

Eyelashes do not grow back.

Are your eyelashes still not growing back after months? That may indicate damaged hair follicles.

Causes:

  • damaged or inactive hair follicles
  • severe skin conditions
  • chronic inflammation

Solutions:

  • consult a doctor or dermatologist
  • use an eyelash serum where possible to support inactive hair follicles
  • protect your eyelashes from further damage

Note: completely damaged hair follicles do not always recover.

Nutrition and eyelashes: what really helps?

Your eyelashes are hair. What is good for your hair can also support your eyelashes. Nutrients that are often mentioned:


  • Protein: the building block of hair

  • Biotin (vitamin B8): involved in hair structure

  • Iron: important for healthy hair growth

  • Vitamin E: supports the condition

To be fair: supplements are mainly helpful if you have a proven deficiency. Evidence for biotin specifically for eyelashes is limited. A varied diet is usually the best foundation. If you are concerned about a deficiency, please consult your GP.

What is the best oil for eyelash growth and conditioning?

Natural oils can help to nourish and strengthen damaged eyelashes. These are the most commonly used ones:


  • Castor oil: nourishes and conditions the lashes

  • Jojoba oil: hydrates without weighing them down

  • Coconut oil: helps reduce breakage

  • Almond oil: supports the structure of the hairs

Important to know: oils themselves do not stimulate new growth. They improve the condition of your lashes and reduce breakage. If you want to support growth, combine oil with an eyelash serum or opt for a serum.

The Syrene Castor Oil is a great choice if you want to care for your lashes in a natural way.

When should you see a doctor or dermatologist?

Most damaged eyelashes recover on their own. However, there are times when it is wise to consult a doctor or dermatologist:

  • sudden or significant loss of eyelashes
  • bald patches that do not recover
  • persistent redness, itching, or irritation
  • eyelash loss in one eye without a clear cause
  • loss accompanied by other symptoms, for example with thyroid or skin conditions

When in doubt, a quick check-up is never a bad idea.

Conclusion

Damaged eyelashes, including broken lashes, can be restored in most cases with the right approach. Avoid harmful habits, give your lashes a rest, and choose care that suits you. With a little patience, your lashes will often grow back stronger and fuller. Keep in mind that results vary per person.

Source reference

[1] Baiyasi M, St. Claire K, Hengy M, Tur K, Fahs F, Potts G. Eyelash serums: A comprehensive review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024;23(7):2328-2344. doi:10.1111/jocd.16278

FAQs

What can you do about broken eyelashes?

Repair broken eyelashes by preventing damage, using nourishing oils, and applying an eyelash serum.

Do broken eyelashes grow back?

Yes, broken eyelashes usually grow back within 6 to 8 weeks, as long as the hair follicle isn't damaged.

Why are my eyelashes falling out?

Friction, mascara, eyelash extensions, or poor care can weaken eyelashes and cause them to break.

How long does it take for damaged eyelashes to recover?

The first signs of growth are usually visible within a few weeks. A full cycle takes approximately 8 to 12 weeks. In cases of more severe damage or after extensions, this may take longer.

Which eyelash serum is best for damaged eyelashes?

For weakened or sensitive lashes, a mild, strengthening route like Organic SuperLash is often the best choice. If you want maximum growth, SuperLash is the stronger option. For conditioning only, castor oil is suitable.

Does castor oil really help with damaged eyelashes?

Castor oil nourishes and strengthens your lashes and reduces breakage. It does not, however, stimulate new growth itself. For growth, combine it with a lash serum.

Can eyelashes fall out due to stress?

Yes. Stress can temporarily disrupt hair growth, causing eyelashes to fall out faster or grow more slowly. This often recovers as soon as the stress decreases.

Is waterproof mascara bad for your eyelashes?

Waterproof mascara is not necessarily harmful, but it is more difficult to remove. The vigorous makeup removal this requires can weaken eyelashes. Use a mild remover and do not rub.

Can damaged eyelashes stay away permanently?

If the hair follicle is irreparably damaged, eyelashes do not always grow back. In case of persistent bald spots or hair loss, consulting a doctor or dermatologist is the right step.

Questions about eyelashes?

Curious about how to best care for your eyelashes? Our beginner's guide to eyelashes will help you every step of the way.