Madarosis: Why You Are Losing Your Eyelashes and What Helps

Key takeaways

Madarosis is the medical term for losing your eyelashes or eyebrows. It can be scarring (follicle damaged) or non-scarring (follicle intact).¹
Causes are wide-ranging: chemotherapy, alopecia, thyroid disorders, blepharitis, lash extension damage, trichotillomania, ageing, and nutrition.¹²
See your doctor to find the cause. A gentle serum can support regrowth, and glue-free magnetic lashes restore fullness meanwhile.

This guide, written with input from our founder, a qualified pharmacist and cosmetic chemist, is our complete reference on eyelash loss: what madarosis is, what causes it, when to see a doctor, and the gentle options that help.

👁️ What is madarosis?

Madarosis means the loss of eyelashes or eyebrow hairs. It can be partial or complete and affect one or both eyes. Clinicians divide it into scarring madarosis, where the follicle is destroyed and regrowth may not occur, and non-scarring madarosis, where the follicle is intact and lashes can return.¹³ Because lashes protect the eye from dust and debris, lash loss is worth taking seriously.

🔬 Science snapshot. Lashes grow in cycles: an active phase (anagen) of about 30 days, a transition (catagen) of 2 to 3 weeks, and a resting phase (telogen) of about 100 days. Only around 40 percent grow at once, so regrowth is gradual and can look patchy before it fills in.⁴

🔎 Common causes of eyelash loss

Cause	What happens	Learn more
Chemotherapy	Affects fast-dividing follicles, so lashes thin or shed. Usually temporary.	Lashes for chemo
Alopecia areata	Autoimmune targeting of the follicle, causing patchy or complete loss.	Lashes for alopecia
Thyroid conditions	Under- or over-active thyroid can thin hair and lashes.	See your GP
Blepharitis	Chronic lash-line inflammation that can destroy follicles.	See your optometrist
Lash extension damage	Weight and adhesive create traction that weakens lashes.	Repair after extensions
Trichotillomania	Repeated pulling stresses the follicle.	After lash pulling
Ageing and nutrition	Lashes thin with age or deficiencies in iron, zinc, or B vitamins.	See your GP

⚠️ When to see a doctor. Because madarosis can signal an underlying condition, see your doctor promptly if lash loss is sudden or patchy, affects your eyebrows too, comes with a red, crusted, scaly, or painful lash line, or with symptoms such as fatigue or weight change. Treating the cause makes the biggest difference.²

💚 Step one: support your lashes gently

Alongside your doctor's guidance, a nourishing serum can condition the lashes you have and support regrowth. Our Eyelash Growth and Repair Serum is made in Australia, prostaglandin-free, and gentle enough for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Read the science in our in-depth serum guide. Please check with your doctor first if you have an eye condition or are in treatment.

✨ Step two: full lashes today with no glue

Glue-free magnetic lashes give a full, natural look no matter how sparse your lashes are, because they attach to a magnetic eyeliner rather than to your own lashes. Choose the Stellar or Sirius invisible magnetic lashes, the classic Serena, or the Invisible Magnetic Lashes and Liner Pen Kit. See the full range in our Lashes for Chemotherapy and Alopecia collection.

❓ Frequently asked questions

What is the medical name for eyelash loss?

It is called madarosis, the loss of eyelashes or eyebrow hairs.

Why am I losing my eyelashes?

Common causes include chemotherapy, alopecia, thyroid conditions, blepharitis, lash extension damage, trichotillomania, ageing, and nutritional deficiency. A doctor can help identify the cause.¹

Can eyelashes grow back after madarosis?

Often yes, especially in non-scarring madarosis where the follicle is intact and the cause is treated. A gentle serum can support regrowth, and magnetic lashes provide fullness in the meantime.³

Is madarosis a sign of a serious condition?

It can be, which is why it is worth seeing a doctor, especially if it is sudden, patchy, painful, or accompanied by other symptoms. Often it is treatable once the cause is found.

🧾 A note from our pharmacist

Youthphoria was founded by a qualified pharmacist and cosmetic chemist. This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Eyelash loss can signal an underlying health condition, so please consult your doctor or a personal health care professional before starting any new product. For a personal question, email info@youthphoria.com.au.

📚 References

Kumar A, Karthikeyan K. Madarosis: A Marker of Many Maladies. International Journal of Trichology. 2012. Link
Cleveland Clinic. Madarosis (Eyebrow and Eyelash Hair Loss): Causes and Treatment. Link
Eyebrow and Eyelash Alopecia: A Clinical Review. PMC. Link
Eyelash growth cycle and anagen duration. PMC. Link