Can Lupus Affect Your Natural Lashes and Eyelash Extension Retention?
If you have worn eyelash extensions successfully for a long time but suddenly notice more shedding or less fullness between appointments, it is natural to wonder whether lupus may be affecting your retention.
The connection is possible, but it may not be because the adhesive has stopped working.
Lupus does not automatically mean that you cannot wear eyelash extensions. However, changes in your health, natural-lash growth or treatment may sometimes affect how full your extensions look and how long they appear to last.
Can Lupus Affect Your Natural Eyelashes?
Lupus can sometimes cause hair thinning or hair loss. This is usually more noticeable on the scalp, but the eyebrows and eyelashes may also be affected in some cases.
Certain forms of cutaneous or discoid lupus can involve the skin around the eyelids or lash line. When there is inflammation or scarring around the lash follicles, the natural eyelashes may become thinner, sparse or fragile.
This does not happen to everyone with lupus, and it should not be assumed simply because someone has a lupus diagnosis.
Some medications used to manage lupus may also be associated with changes in hair growth or shedding. However, different medications affect people differently. A lash artist cannot determine whether increased shedding is caused by lupus, medication, hormones, stress or another health condition.
Lupus and Eyelash Extensions: Why Retention May Change
Every eyelash extension is attached to an individual natural lash.
When the natural lash reaches the end of its growth cycle and sheds, the extension attached to it sheds at the same time.
If your natural lashes begin shedding more quickly than usual, you may notice:
More lashes falling out between appointments
Less fullness before your usual fill
New gaps along the lash line
Finer or shorter lashes growing back
Difficulty maintaining the same density as before
This can look like poor retention, even when the adhesive bond is still secure.
For example, if an extension falls out with the natural lash still attached, the extension has not simply slipped off. The natural lash has completed its shedding cycle and taken the extension with it.
This is why retention is not only about the adhesive. The condition and growth cycle of your natural lashes also play an important role.
Does Lupus Change Skin pH and Cause Poor Retention?
You may have read that lupus or lupus medication changes the skin’s pH or oil production, causing lash adhesive to stop bonding properly.
At present, there is not enough reliable evidence to say that lupus directly changes the pH of the eyelids or natural lashes in a way that causes eyelash-extension adhesive to fail.
It would also be inaccurate to assume that prednisone or other lupus medications affect everyone’s skin chemistry in the same way.
If your retention changes around the same time as a lupus flare or medication change, the timing may be relevant. However, it does not prove that skin pH is the cause.
From a lash artist’s perspective, the more practical things to assess are:
Whether the natural lashes are shedding faster
Whether they have become finer or more sparse
Whether the extensions are falling with the natural lashes attached
Whether watery eyes, rubbing or cleansing difficulties are affecting the set
Whether your natural lashes can still support the same length and density
How I May Adjust Your Lash Set
If your eyes are comfortable but your natural lashes appear finer or less dense, it may still be possible to continue wearing extensions.
However, your usual lash design may need to be adjusted.
Depending on the condition of your natural lashes, I may recommend:
Shorter extensions
Finer and lighter diameters
Lower overall density
A softer Natural Classic or Lush Hybrid set
Leaving very short or delicate baby lashes extension-free
Avoiding a heavy or dramatic design
Taking a temporary break if the shedding is significant
My goal is not to place an extension on every visible lash simply to recreate the fullness you previously had.
If the natural lash line has temporarily become weaker or more sparse, applying the same amount of weight may place unnecessary stress on the remaining lashes.
Your set should always be designed according to what your natural lashes can safely support at that appointment.
When Should You Speak With Your Doctor?
Please speak with your doctor, dermatologist or eye-care professional if you notice:
Sudden or significant eyelash loss
New bald or sparse areas along the lash line
A rash, scaling or scarring around the eyelids
Eyelash loss together with increased scalp-hair loss
Changes beginning after a new medication or treatment
Persistent eye redness, pain or changes in vision
Do not stop or change prescribed medication because of eyelash shedding or extension retention without speaking with your healthcare provider.
A medical professional can assess whether the change may be related to lupus, treatment or another condition.
The Bottom Line
Lupus does not appear to directly break down eyelash adhesive, and poor retention should not automatically be blamed on skin pH.
The more relevant connection is that lupus, lupus-related skin involvement or certain treatments may sometimes affect natural-hair growth and shedding.
Because every extension is supported by a natural lash, changes in the natural lash cycle may affect:
How full your set looks
How quickly your extensions appear to shed
The length and weight your lashes can safely support
Whether your usual lash design needs to be adjusted
Having lupus does not automatically mean that you cannot wear eyelash extensions.
The most important consideration is the current condition of your eyes, eyelids and natural lashes.
At ONLY LASHES by Helen, natural-lash health will always come before achieving a particular length, density or style. I will assess what your natural lashes can safely support and adjust your set honestly when needed.
ONLY LASHES by Helen
Located inside Refresh Salon & Spa in Suter Brook Village, Port Moody, BC.
Please contact me before your appointment if you are experiencing unusual eyelash shedding or a significant change in your natural lashes.
References and Further Reading
Lupus Foundation of America — Hair Loss and Lupus
Lupus Foundation of America — Lupus and the Eyes
Selva D. et al. — Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Presenting as Madarosis, American Journal of Ophthalmology
Silpa-archa S. et al. — Ocular Manifestations in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, British Journal of Ophthalmology
Medical disclaimer: This article is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Lupus and its treatments affect each person differently. A lash artist cannot diagnose the cause of eyelash loss or changes in extension retention. Please consult your doctor, dermatologist or eye-care professional if you have new symptoms or concerns.
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