Understanding Eyelash and Eyebrow Pulling
If you’re looking for help for a child, you’re best off here.
Have you struggled to find a reason for your eyelash or eyebrow pulling? Did you realise it was an obsessive style condition or a BFRB – Body Focused Repetitive Behavior? Maybe you have searched deep in your past for reasons but sometimes the only reason is the fact that you have this condition.
We can offer you helpful tips and encouragement. We’ll help you to use your own strengths for your own recovery.
The vicious cycle of eyelash pulling and eyelash regrowth can be devastating and can risk eye health. There is no need to go through this alone. We’re dedicated to giving you the attention and care you deserve. Drop us a line and (unless you ask us not to) we’ll get in touch now and again purely to ask how you’re doing.
Eyelash and eyebrow pulling is a behavior where individuals compulsively pull out their eyelashes and/or eyebrows. This condition, often referred to as Trichotillomania, is a type of impulse control disorder.
Causes of Eyelash and Eyebrow Pulling
- Genetics: A family history of similar behaviors or other mental health disorders can increase the likelihood.
- Stress and Anxiety: High levels of stress or anxiety can trigger this behavior as a coping mechanism.
- Internal chemical circumstances: Imbalances in brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine may play a role.
- External chemical situations: In some cases, eyelash mites, yeast infections or dermatological conditions may initiate pulling.
- Emotional Factors: Feelings of flatness, tension, overwhelm, boredom, or dissatisfaction can lead to pulling.
- Obsessive thoughts, for example those triggered by thoughts of making a wish on eyelashes; or an obsessive need for symmetry.
Symptoms
- Loss of eyelashes and/or eyebrows which may also lead to the person never being seen without make-up
- Rituals: Specific patterns of behaviour and/or rituals before, during and following the pulling behavior, for example rubbing hairs on lips or cheeks or lining them up on a mirror.
- Physical Discomfort: Itching or tingling sensations in and/or around the eye areas before pulling or tingling in the hands before pulling.
- Emotional Distress: Feelings of shame, guilt, or frustration about the self.
- Body Dysmorphia: This symptom is not present in all cases of trichotillomania but is prevalent and worth mentioning.
- Avoidance: Once again, not always present but a significant factor in many cases. This often triggers pulling and affects the person's subsequent behaviour, e.g. avoiding swimming or going out.
Eyelash and Eyebrow Regrowth
Different areas have different chances for recovery speed. This is just an estimate of how long FULL recovery will take. You will see new growth fairly quickly in most cases.
EYELASHES – Most children will recover their eyelashes within three to four weeks; for adults, it will take longer. Many people experience FULL recovery of eyelashes and eyebrows within 3 months but if you have been pulling for many, many years it could be 2-4 years.
EYEBROWS – FULL recovery can be slower than lashes because this area is more easily damaged and for some people, eyebrows do not totally grow back.
If you or someone you know is struggling with eyelash and eyebrow pulling, it’s important to seek help. A qualified professional can provide the necessary support and treatment options to manage this condition effectively.
Eyelash and eyebrow pulling can be distressing, but with the right support and strategies, it is possible to manage the symptoms and vastly improve quality of life. Seeking supportive help is a very difficult, but rewarding first step toward recovery.