Eyelashes and Alopecia: How to Get Full Lashes Without Glue
- Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that can cause patchy or complete loss of scalp, brow, and lash hair.1
- Because loss can come and go with flares, glue-free magnetic lashes that attach to a magnetic eyeliner are ideal, they work no matter how many lashes you have.
- Invisible magnetic lashes look the most natural on a bare lid, and a gentle serum can support the lashes you have between flares.
This guide, written with input from our founder, a qualified pharmacist and cosmetic chemist, is for anyone living with alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, or alopecia universalis and wanting natural-looking lashes without glue.
🔬 How alopecia affects your eyelashes
Alopecia areata is a non-scarring autoimmune condition in which the immune system targets the hair follicle and pushes it out of the growth phase, so hair sheds. It can affect the scalp, brows, and lashes.12 Importantly, the follicle itself is usually preserved, which is why lashes can return, sometimes only to shed again in the next flare.
| Type | What it means |
|---|---|
| Alopecia areata | Patchy loss that can include some or all lashes on one or both eyes |
| Alopecia totalis | Complete scalp hair loss, often with brow and lash loss |
| Alopecia universalis | Loss of hair across the whole body, including lashes and brows |
🧲 Why magnetic lashes work when you have little or no natural lash
Strip lashes, cluster lashes, and salon extensions all need existing lashes or glue to hold on, which does not suit a bare or unpredictable lash line. Magnetic lashes are different. You draw a fine line of magnetic eyeliner (containing cosmetic-grade iron oxides) and micro-magnets on the lash band grip that line. The bond is to the liner, not your lashes, so you get a full look with:
- No glue to irritate sensitive skin or eyes.
- No dependence on natural lashes, ideal for a bare line or one that changes with flares.
- Reusable, adjustable wear you can trim and restyle.
✨ The best invisible magnetic and natural styles for alopecia
Invisible magnetic lashes are the most undetectable on a bare lid because the band holds no visible magnets:
- Stellar and Sirius for soft, medium-to-short natural fullness.
- Mystic, Divine, and Astral for a little more length.
- The Invisible Magnetic Lashes and Liner Pen Kit to start with everything in one box, or the Invisible Duo Kit for two styles.
Prefer a classic band? Serena is a gentle everyday option. See the whole range in our Lashes for Chemotherapy and Alopecia collection, and learn more in our guide to invisible magnetic lashes.
🛠️ Applying magnetic lashes with no natural lashes
- Cleanse and dry the lid, then draw the magnetic liner exactly where your lash line sits. Take your time, since there are no lashes to guide you.
- Let the liner become tacky, which is when the magnets hold best.
- Lower the lash onto the liner with a Lash Applicator and press gently.
- Trim the outer edge to fit with Premium Precision Scissors if needed.
- Remove at night with our Micellar Foam Cleanser and Makeup Remover.
💚 Can a lash serum help with alopecia?
Used alongside your doctor's guidance, a nourishing serum can condition existing lashes and support the follicle environment between flares. Our Eyelash Growth and Repair Serum is made in Australia, prostaglandin-free, and formulated with peptides, vitamins, and botanicals to be gentle on sensitive eyes. Please check with your dermatologist first.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Can you wear false lashes with alopecia?
Yes. Glue-free magnetic lashes attach to magnetic eyeliner on the lid, so they work even with no natural lashes and suit a lash line that changes with flares.
What are the best lashes for someone with no eyelashes?
Invisible magnetic lashes with a magnetic liner, because they do not need existing lashes to hold on and the band holds no visible magnets.
Will a lash serum regrow my lashes if I have alopecia?
A serum supports the lashes you have and conditions the area during regrowth, but it does not treat the autoimmune cause. Speak with your dermatologist about medical options.
Do lashes grow back after alopecia?
Often yes, because the follicle is usually preserved, though timing varies. In one review about 40 percent had complete regrowth over a mean of 28 months.3
🧾 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. Please consult your doctor, dermatologist, or a personal health care professional before starting any new product. For a personal question, email info@youthphoria.com.au.
📚 References
- NIAMS. Alopecia Areata. Link
- Eyebrow and Eyelash Alopecia: A Clinical Review. PMC. Link
- Eyelash alopecia areata: case series and literature review. ScienceDirect. Link
In Melbourne?
You can see Shirley in person at our Balwyn North salon
Youthphoria's founder Shirley Be, a practising pharmacist, cosmetic chemist and 5x certified lash artist, sees clients at the Greythorn shops in Balwyn North, Melbourne. She specialises in exactly the situations covered in this guide: lash loss from chemotherapy and alopecia, weak and sparse natural lashes, and previous allergic reactions to lash adhesive. Rather than guessing at a style online, have someone qualified look at your actual lashes.
Book a lash consultation About the salon
The $50 consultation fee is redeemable on any product, and waived for clients having cancer treatment or living with alopecia.
