Alongside the more commonly discussed scalp hair thinning, many women notice their eyebrows and eyelashes becoming sparser, shorter, or less full during perimenopause. It is a small change, but for many women a genuinely noticeable one, particularly since these features frame the face so directly. As with hair loss elsewhere on the body, this has a clear hormonal explanation.

Why Eyebrows and Eyelashes Thin

The same hair growth cycle applies. Eyebrow and eyelash hairs, like scalp hair, grow in cycles of active growth, rest, and shedding. As covered in our guide to hair loss in perimenopause, falling oestrogen shortens the active growth phase and can push more hairs into the resting and shedding phase at once, which applies to facial hair follicles just as it does to the scalp.

The androgen balance shifts. As oestrogen falls relative to androgens, hair follicles across the body respond differently depending on their location. While this shift can trigger new coarse hair growth in some areas, as covered in our guide to new facial hair in perimenopause, it can simultaneously contribute to thinning in areas like the eyebrows and eyelashes, since different follicles respond differently to the same hormonal signal.

Nutrient status plays a role too. As with scalp hair and nails, adequate protein, iron, and other nutrients support healthy eyebrow and eyelash growth, and any deficiency, more likely if periods have been heavy, can show up here as well.

Why Brows and Lashes Thin in Perimenopause
The growth cycle shortensFalling oestrogen shortens active growth and pushes more hairs into shedding, just as on the scalp
Hormone balance shiftsThe same androgen shift that can cause new facial hair elsewhere can thin brows and lashes
Nutrition mattersProtein, iron, and other nutrients support healthy growth here too
ManageableGentle care, nutrition, and cosmetic options all genuinely help

What Helps

Be gentle with the area. Avoid harsh rubbing, aggressive brushing, or over-plucking, which can further stress already-thinning follicles. If you use eyelash curlers or wear false lashes regularly, consider giving the area more frequent breaks.

Remove eye makeup gently. Vigorous rubbing to remove mascara or eyeliner can pull on lashes and brow hairs. A gentle, dedicated eye makeup remover and a soft touch protect what growth you have.

Consider a nourishing serum. There are eyelash and eyebrow growth serums available, some containing conditioning ingredients and others containing more active pharmaceutical ingredients that require a prescription and specific guidance on use. If you are considering one, particularly a prescription-strength option, it is worth discussing with a dermatologist, both for suitability and correct application, since some can cause side effects like skin darkening if used incorrectly.

Support nutrition. As with scalp hair, adequate protein, iron, and biotin support hair growth generally. If you suspect a deficiency, particularly with heavy periods or other signs of low iron, a simple blood test can confirm it.

Consider cosmetic options, without pressure. Brow gels, tinting, and various filling techniques can address the cosmetic appearance while the underlying hormonal picture settles or improves. There is no obligation to pursue any of this, it is simply an option for those who want it.

Be patient. Hair growth cycles are slow, so any genuine improvement from changed habits or treatment takes months to become visible, consistency matters more than quick fixes here too.

When to See a Doctor

Routine appointment if eyebrow or eyelash thinning is significant, sudden, or comes alongside other hair changes, so an underlying cause, such as thyroid problems, iron deficiency, or vitamin D deficiency, all common at this age, can be checked with a simple blood test, alongside the broader perimenopause picture.

Promptly if eyebrow or eyelash loss is very sudden, patchy in a distinct pattern rather than generally thinning, or comes with other unexplained symptoms, as these features are worth a specific assessment to rule out other causes.

Thinning eyebrows and eyelashes are a small but genuine part of the hormonal picture of perimenopause, connected to the same growth-cycle and hormone-balance changes affecting hair elsewhere on the body. Gentle care, good nutrition, and a little patience usually go a long way, and cosmetic support is always there if you want it.

The Second Spring is an information resource, not a medical provider. For personal advice, speak with your doctor or gynaecologist. Write to us at thesecondspringofficial@gmail.com