Lash Shedding Explained: Why Your Extensions Fall Out & What’s Actually Normal

Is lash shedding normal? 100%. Just like the hair on your head, natural lashes shed to make room for fresh new ones. Most people naturally lose 1–5 upper lashes per day — all year round. When you’ve got extensions, you notice it more because the extension is attached to the natural lash that was already due to shed. That’s not “bad retention,” it’s biology.

The Natural Lash Growth Cycle (Anagen → Catagen → Telogen)

• Anagen (growth): Baby lashes actively growing. They’re short, soft, and shouldn’t be lashed — too delicate to carry weight.

• Catagen (transition): Growth pauses and the follicle shrinks. Extensions attached here slowly move outward.

• Telogen (rest/shedding): The lash is finished and naturally falls, making way for a fresh anagen lash.

Each lash sits in its own phase, which is why you never lose all your lashes at once (thank goodness!).

Seasonal Lash Shedding (Spring & Autumn in Australia)

If you feel a little extra shed in spring and autumn, you’re not imagining it. Hormonal shifts, weather changes, humidity and allergies can speed up the cycle. It’s temporary — just book infills a touch sooner and tighten up aftercare.

What’s Normal vs What’s Not

Totally normal

• Seeing 2–5 extensions come off across both eyes per day

• A small uptick during seasonal changes, illness, stress, postpartum or new meds

• Extensions lost with a natural lash attached at the base

Not normal (chat with your lash tech)

• Extensions sliding off without a natural lash attached (adhesion/aftercare issue)

• Heavy, twisted or stuck-together lashes (poor isolation/too much weight)

• Persistent itchiness, redness or pain

Retention 101: Keep Your Set Looking Full

• Cleanse daily with a lash-safe foaming cleanser and a soft cleansing brush to remove oils, makeup and pollen.

• Hands off: no rubbing, picking or pulling.

• Brush lightly from mid-length to tips once or twice a day.

• Sleep smart: side/face sleepers — try a silk pillowcase and avoid pressing into the pillow.

• Oil awareness: skip heavy oil cleansers and waterproof mascara on extensions.

• Book infills every 2–3 weeks (closer to 2 during peak shedding) to keep symmetry and fullness.

Why It Can Look Like “Everything Fell Out At Once”

Usually it didn’t — a few lashes were simply in the same phase and shed over a couple of days. Good mapping, balanced weights (diameter + length), curl choice and humidity-matched adhesive all reduce the appearance of patchy loss.

Pro Tips for Lash Artists (so you can educate clients)

• Lash only mature anagen/catagen lashes; leave baby anagens.

• Match fan weight to the natural lash (lighter fans for finer lashes).

• Maintain perfect isolation to prevent stickies + premature loss.

• Work inside your adhesive’s humidity/temperature window.
  

• Pros: stock the right adhesive for your room conditions — explore Meraki Lash Liquids (glues, superbonder, primer & more).

Quick FAQs

Do lash extensions make my natural lashes fall out?
No. Properly applied extensions shed with the natural lash that was already due to fall.

How many lashes do you lose per day?
On average 1–5 upper lashes daily is normal.

Why do I shed more in spring or autumn?
Seasonal shedding due to weather, humidity, hormones and allergies — it’s temporary.

How often should I get infills?
Every 2–3 weeks for most clients; 2 weeks during heavier shedding.

How do I improve retention?
Daily cleansing with a lash-safe cleanser, gentle brushing, sleep care, and avoiding heavy oils — plus correct weight/isolation from your lash tech.

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The Takeaway

Shedding is healthy and expected. Cleanse daily, avoid rubbing, and keep your 2–3 week infill routine. With safe application and good aftercare, your natural lashes stay strong and your extensions stay fluffy.