More time, more attention and more make-up products are involved in enhancing the eyes, lids, lashes and eyebrows to look attractive than all the other parts of the face put together.

Of these the lashes are vital for framing the eyes and giving emphasis to the make-up of the lids. There can be occasions, for a variety of reasons, when lashes fall out to leave the eye area looking strangely sparse.

Even if no loss of lashes occurs, a natural lengthening and thickening of the hairs is obviously a major benefit. After all, this is exactly the effect you are attempting to achieve with the use of mascara or false lashes.

So how can you make sparse eyelashes thicker?

We know of no product or treatment that has proven to be an unqualified success in promoting the growth and regeneration of eyelashes despite the fact that there are many that claim to have a beneficial effect.

Undoubtedly some of these will, in favorable circumstances, be seen to stimulate growth and thickening for some individuals, but we cannot be sure who will benefit and why.

All body hair obeys the same rules: -

• Whether it is facial hair, head hair, pubic hair, eyebrows and lashes or hair on any other part of the body, it will only grow to a certain pre-determined length if left uncut.

• The density and final length of all body hair, including lashes, is predetermined by the genes.

• Replacement of lost hair from the roots typically takes between 4 to 8 weeks to regenerate to normal length.

• Diet, careful grooming and the avoidance of strong glues when applying false leashes will help in keeping the eyelashes thick and long. The adhesive used in applying false eyelashes can result in eyelashes being torn out unless great care is taken when applying and removing.

• Lack of thickness and length can be disguised by careful use of mascara.

• The most popular commercial product that has some acceptance in promoting eyelash health and vitality is LiLash. This is a widely used global product that has gained acceptance as having a beneficial effect on eyelash growth in many cases.

Your eyelashes are one of the most important beauty assets that you have. You will need to be gentle with them when cleansing your makeup and face as well as when you are applying your eye makeup. Treat them with the same respect as your hair styling and keep them looking fresh and natural by very gently removing mascara or false lashes before retiring with a good quality make up remover.

Yuk!

But don’t worry about it. They are so tiny, less than 0.4 mm long, you will not be able to see them. Being so small they are known as micro-organisms, and they are actually good bugs as they fight off the bad bacteria which comes from the bad outside world and help to keep us healthy. They are, in fact, just a tiny number of the millions of tiny animals that live off our bodies.

Demodex Folliculorum

as they are known, live around hair follicles, mainly on the face and into the outer ear channel. They live head down in the follicles, feeding on secretions and dead skin debris.

Their life cycle  is 14 to 18 days and during this time one female will lay up to 25 eggs. The process is repeated over and over as they journey to new feeding ground in the next follicle. An adult male has 4 pairs of legs and at night they move 1 cm per hour and travel onto the skin.

Unfortunately, infection of the eye can occur if  large numbers are present in one single lash follicle. This can lead to the lash falling out. The cause of this is unknown but it is more common in oily skinned people  or people with less than adequate hygiene. Increasing age will often result in diseases like blepharitis, due to these bugs.

It is believed that the reason we have eyelashes is to serve as a sensory organ warning that an object is close to the eye and evasive action, such as moving the head or closing the eyes, should be taken.

As humans have developed so eyelash fluttering to denote an interest, possibly sexual, in others has come into play. Long thick eyelashes are considered a sign of feminine beauty and the use of mascara to artificially thicken and enhance them is a basic make up routine.

Eyelashes are subject to a number of afflictions that can cause them to become thin or completely lost. Among these are Madarosis which results in the loss of lashes. Blepharitis occurs on the eyelid edges where the lashes grow, they become infected and flaky causing irritation. In-growing lashes known as Trichiasis, parasitic infections and styes can also affect eyelash growth

Thinning or total loss of eyelashes can have a devastating effect on a woman’s confidence, the effect around the most important and noticeable feature on the face has, until recently, been impossible to permanently repair. In the past only the introduction of false eyelashes has helped to temporarily mitigate the noticeable absence of lashes.

Now techniques have been developed to effectively transplant human donor hair onto both the upper and lower eyelids without damaging the prospects for new lash follicles to grow and flourish and existing lashes to remain undamaged.

Although some men undergo eyelash transplants, the majority of procedures are carried out on women, the only variation is the number of lashes that are transplanted as women have more lashes and denser growth than men.

The number of lashes to be transplanted is assessed in each case, depending upon the number of lashes already existing on the lids. On average a total of anywhere between 30 and 80 lashes are implanted, one at a time, and will eventually grow normally. In normal circumstances an eyelash takes between two and three months to grow.

The procedure is carried out in most cases under local anaesthetic and should be painless. The patient will have some bruising that will disappear leaving a natural look, permanent results and any scarring should be virtually undetectable.

It is vitally important that anybody considering the procedure should carry out rigorous checks on any medical facility offering eyelash transplant operations. At the least you will need to know about their experience and see for yourself evidence of their past successes, verifiable testimonials are a good start.

Some eyelash transplant procedures have not had a high success rate, new growth has been restricted or completely lost and existing lashes damaged so do carry out a careful investigation and obtain the best possible advice.

The cost in the USA is around $3000 an eye and can vary considerably. The first eyelashes transplant in the UK took place this summer (2009) at a cost of three thousand five hundred British Pounds. The nineteen year old patient suffered from trichtillomania, an obsessive pulling out of hair. The four hour procedure involved taking hairs from the back of the patients head and inserting them in her eyelids, where they are expected to take four to six months to thicken up.

The surgeon who carried out the operation is quoted as saying “ we often look to America for the latest in cosmetic surgery as they are the pioneers in the industry, but not all are as successful or as safe as this one”

However, holding onto those looks is difficult as we age.

One of the problems facing many women, especially after menopause, is the loss of their eyelashes. There may be medical reasons for losing lashes but for those whose lashes are slowly but surely disappearing action has to be taken.

One company, Cosmetic Alchemy, has developed a product that is getting such excellent feedback from doctors that they offer a 90 day guarantee.

One of the many testimonials even claims to have her eyelashes and brows growing back after having completed a chemotherapy course.

Not cheap but one tube lasts for about 5 months, so definitely worth a go.

Is that a risk worth taking? Check out these eye cosmetic safety tips.

Eyelashes make our eyes stand out and with today’s technology the cosmetic manufacturers are bringing out better and better quality products.

If you are in need of updating your sexy eye makeup look here are a few  products to freshen up your makeup bag and get you looking hot.

Whats Hot In Lashes Now?

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara 101 Rich Black Straight Brush

Avon MIni WASH-OFF WATERPROOF Mascara

Lancome L’ Extreme Mascara

Whats Hot Next Year?

Look out for

• Estee Lauders revolutionary vibrating wand – now a sell out in Harrods, London but expected nationwide in the UK by February.

• L’oreal Paris Extra Volume Collagen Mascara -helps give thin eyelashes that extra boost.

• Max factor False Lash Effect Mascara – get the false lash effect with 2 coats of this show stopping product.