Changes to your eyebrows and eyelashes during treatment
Some cancer treatments may cause your eyelashes and eyebrows to become thinner or fall out completely. But remember that eyebrows and eyelashes usually grow back.
About changes to your eyebrows and lashes
Some cancer drugs may cause your eyebrows and eyelashes to become thinner or to fall out completely. Your cancer team can tell you whether this is likely. It depends on the drugs and the dose you have.
Losing your eyebrows and eyelashes can change your appearance. This can be upsetting, but they usually grow back.
Your eyelashes and eyebrows may fall out later than the hair on your head. Sometimes this happens gradually during treatment, or after treatment has ended.
There are things you can do to help disguise these changes. No7 Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors at your local store can help you with the techniques described here.
We have more information about hair loss that you may find useful.
In the video below, Boots Beauty Advisor Charlotte gives Lurline make-up tips for creating and enhancing eyebrows and eyelashes.
Managing changes to your eyebrows
You can draw in the appearance of eyebrow hairs using a thin eyebrow pencil. Match the colour as close to your natural hair as possible. Choose a ‘micro-brow pencil’ because this can be used to create small strokes that look like hairs. If you are using a traditional eyebrow pencil, make sure it is freshly sharpened to achieve the same result.
You may want to add softer definition back into your brow area. Use an angled brow brush to apply a small amount of matte eyeshadow or eyebrow powder in a shade close to your natural colour.
It can be scary to redraw your eyebrows at first. But No7 Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors at your local store can show you how. You can book an in-store appointment with a No7 Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisor.
Creating natural-looking eyebrows
The following tips may help to create natural-looking eyebrows:
- If possible, practise drawing on your eyebrows before your treatment begins. This way, you can get used to following the shape and arch of your brow. You could take a close-up photo of yourself before treatment. This will help you remember the position of your eyebrows and what they looked like.
Step 1: Redrawing eyebrows
- Try drawing a dot of colour above the inner and outer corners of each eye, and a dot where you think you will create an arch. You can make a mark on the eyebrow and use this as a guide. This way, you can check for symmetry before you start drawing. If you place an eyebrow pencil alongside your nose, and angle it from the tip of your nose through the middle of the iris of the eye until it meets the brow, this will be the highest point of the arch. The iris is the coloured circle around the pupil.
- Use your brow bone and your eyes to identify where your brows should be. Place the eyebrow pencil alongside your nose and above the inner corner of your eye at a 45-degree angle. This shows where a natural brow would start.
Step 2: Redrawing eyebrows
- The end of the brow should finish in line with the end of your eye. You can check this by placing the pencil alongside your nose, and angling it out towards the outer corner of your eye. The end of your brow should meet this point.
Step 3: Redrawing eyebrows
- Use a shade of pencil that matches your normal hair colour. Draw from the centre of the brow line outward, using light, feathery strokes. Plenty of tiny strokes with the pencil will look more realistic than a single line.
Step 4: Redrawing eyebrows
- Create a brow that is thicker-looking at the inner end (nearest to the nose) and thinner at the outer edge. Light pressure is all that you need. Comb through the colour with an eyebrow wand to give it a more natural appearance.
- Check for symmetry when you move on to your other eye. Try your best to make them look like each other. But remember that no 2 eyebrows are identical.
In the video below, No7 Macmillan Beauty Advisor, Charlotte shows easy-to-follow how-to tutorials on how to shape your brow.
Eyebrow transfers
Eyebrow transfers work in the same way as temporary tattoos. They will give you a long-wearing transfer of realistic looking eyebrows. Cut out and position each brow separately, then press on with a damp cloth.
Permanent or temporary tattooing (microblading)
Some people choose to have permanent or temporary tattooing (microblading) to create new eyebrows. This should not be done during treatment. Always speak to your cancer doctor before having this done to make sure it is safe for you.
Managing long and thick eyebrows
Some targeted therapy drugs may make your eyebrows grow long and thick. If this happens, you can carefully trim them.
Managing changes to your eyelashes
There are different make-up tips you can try if your eyelashes become thinner or fall out completely. No7 Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors at your local store can help you to practise these techniques:
- Use a soft eyeliner and smudger to define your eyes and create the illusion of eyelashes. You can use a dark eyeshadow instead of eyeliner to create a softer line.
Step 1: Creating eyelashes
- Lift the skin just below your eyebrow to gently lift the lid area when applying the make-up. This will tighten your skin and make the pencil easier to apply.
- Use soft strokes along the eyelash line by using a smudger to soften the line and push colour further into the lashes.
Step 2: Creating eyelashes
- Apply the make-up lightly to make natural-looking eyelashes.
- Use a gentle, teasing action when applying mascara. A wand with short bristles may be easier to use on short and sparse eyelashes.
- If you want to wear false eyelashes, check with your specialist nurse or healthcare team first. Some false eyelashes may use glue that can irritate sensitive skin. There are other false
- eyelashes available that do not use glue. Your No7 Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisor can tell you more about these products.
Tips for looking after your eyelashes
- Do not use eyelash curlers. They can damage fragile eyelashes.
- Try not to rub your eyes, to help prevent losing eyelashes.
- When you are removing eye make-up, soak a cotton pad in eye make-up remover. Hold the cotton pad to your eye. Keep it there for a couple of seconds before gently wiping away. This stops
- you pulling too much on your eyelashes.
- Avoid waterproof mascara. It can be harder to remove. If your eyes are sensitive, try using mascara that dissolves in warm water.
Long or ingrowing eyelashes
Some targeted therapy drugs can cause your eyelashes to grow very long or grow inwards. This can irritate your eyes. Do not try to cut your eyelashes yourself. Your cancer team can arrange for an eye doctor to do this.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our information about body image and cancer. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
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