Forum Discussion

Adriana's avatar
Adriana
Member
11 years ago

Eyela

Hi all,

I was wondering if any of you have experienced this. My eyelashes have grown back beautifully and I was starting to get my confidence back after they have all fallen out during chemo, however last week I noticed while I was removing mascara that more than normal number have fallen out. I was a bit alarmed at the time but didn't want to panic and put it down to my mascara, however yesterday same amount has fallen out and now I have spaces between them.I can see some small eyelashes growing back but the spaces are quite visible and the eyelashes have thinned out quite dramatically. I am guttered and being the type of person who likes to use mascara, started back on fake eyelashes. No one has warned me about this so this has taken me by surprise. Is this normal? My eyebrows and hair are still intact.

Does anyone know what to do to prevent it? Anything else I need to know?

Please help.

Thank you

Adriana

5 Replies

  • Adriana's avatar
    Adriana
    Member
    11 years ago
    Thank you Deanne. My onc said that they might still be brittle from chemo. I just wish you were told that as a poss side effect so you get prepared. I hope it doesn't happen every 6 weeks. That would be very upsetting. Kids are well. Growing up fast, naughty though.
  • jo90's avatar
    jo90
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Adriana

    I had the same experience - my eyelashes were on a 6-8wk cycle so I'd have a couple of weeks of tiny starter eyelashes before they grew longer, every couple of months. But I'm now a year on from finishing chemo and the eye lashes and eyebrows are back to normal.

    Take care, Jo

  • Michelle70's avatar
    Michelle70
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Adriana,

    I had a similar thing happen. I finished chemo in October but didn't loose my eyelashes and eyebrows till November. They grew back quite quickly but I noticed a few weeks ago my eyebrows started to thin and last week my eyelashes thinned as well. I now have only a few long lashes with big gaps in between. There are small lashes starting to grow. I wasn't sure if it could be Tamoxifen or just my body getting back into some sort of normality after chemo. Hope it helps to know you are not alone.

    Take care,

    Michelle

  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    11 years ago

    Hi Adriana

    I got a bit concerned when a few months after getting my hair back, it seemed to be falling out more than normal. I was making a mess in the bathroom with falling hair each day which was a little bit scary. Speaking to my hairdresser she explained that our hair goes through cycles of growth and it is natural to sometimes have a period where you loose a bit more than normal. I also wonder if this cycle is disrupted with chemo and takes a while to return to normal.

    My hair, eyebrows and eyelashes have never regained the thickness that they were before but I think this is probably because of hormonal changes. Chemo pushed me into early menopause and tamoxifen can cause hair thinning too! 

    If you are concerned it might be worth asking one of your doctors if this is 'normal'. Maybe someone else on here will be able to help with their experience. 

    Hope you are going well and that your little ones are growing and happy their Mum is feeling better. Take care. Deanne xxx