Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAs a SymptomOther CausesIs Treatment Needed?Cosmetic Solutions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
As a Symptom
Other Causes
Is Treatment Needed?
Cosmetic Solutions
White eyelashes can also occur as a symptom of a health problem, a side effect of certain drugs, or the result of smoking. These factors can impact how your body makesmelanin, the natural pigment that affects the darkness of your skin and hair.
While white eyelashes are rarely a health issue themselves, they can be a sign of problems that need treatment. In some cases, treatment can allow darker eyelashes to return.
This article describes the causes of white eyelashes. It also explains when treatment is needed and ways to make white eyelashes look darker.
Diamond Dogs / Getty Images
Conditions With White Eyelashes as a Symptom
White eyelashes can occur as a symptom of a wide range of conditions that include the following:
Tuberoussclerosis: This is a raregenetic disorder(acquired from one or both parents) that causesbenign(noncancerous) tumors to grow in your brain and other organs, along with other symptoms that can include light patches of skin and thickened skin.
Alopecia areata: This common autoimmune disorder causes non-scarring hair loss that can result in the regrowth of white, unpigmented hair rather than darker hair.
Thyroid disorders:Conditions such as autoimmune thyroid disease,hypothyroidism(low levels of thyroid hormones), andhyperthyroidism(high levels of thyroid hormones) have been linked with early graying and white hair.
Poliosis: A patch, or patches, of white hair develop when the rest of your hair color is its usual shade. It occurs due to genetics, an autoimmune disease, or other health problems.
Neurofibromatosis(vonRecklinghausen’sdisease): This group of inherited diseases causes abnormal development of your bones and triggers skin and nerve tumors and changes in pigmentation.
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome: This rare disorder begins with headaches and then causes vision and hearing changes along with vitiligo and whitening of your hair and eyelashes.
Blepharitis:This is inflammation of the eyelids in which they become red, itchy, and irritated with dandruff-like scales that form on your eyelashes.
Does Vaseline Help Your Eyelashes Grow Longer and Thicker?
What Else Causes White or Graying Eyelashes?
White or graying eyelashes do not always indicate a medical condition. They may also occur as a result of one of the following:
Aging: Aging causes a natural decrease in the level of melanocytes. This results in the decreased production of melanin and a lack of pigment in your hair.
Medication use: Medications linked with hair depigmentation (a loss of hair color resulting in silver or white hair) include the following:
Vitamin B12deficiency: This occurs with lower-than-normal levels of vitamin B12 (cobalamin), a vitamin that plays an essential role in cell metabolism and contributes to the formation of melanocytes.
Smoking: Though not fully understood, smoking is significantly correlated with hair prematurely graying before the age of 30.
White Eyelashes: Medical vs. Cosmetic CausesWhile you may consider your white eyelashes a cosmetic problem, some people are seeking them out as part of a makeup trend called salt-and-pepper lash extensions. The look mixes white hairs with your natural eyelashes to make your lashes look fuller.
White Eyelashes: Medical vs. Cosmetic Causes
While you may consider your white eyelashes a cosmetic problem, some people are seeking them out as part of a makeup trend called salt-and-pepper lash extensions. The look mixes white hairs with your natural eyelashes to make your lashes look fuller.
Do White Eyelashes Require Treatment?
In most cases, having white eyelashes is not a medical problem requiring treatment. The color of your eyelashes typically does not interfere with their main function, which is to protect your eyes from dust and debris.
However, white eyelashes can be a sign of an underlying eye disease or other medical condition. If your eyelashes become white, get an eye exam for an accurate diagnosis of your condition. This can help you get the treatments you need to protect your vision and overall well-being.
While white eyelashes may not require immediate care, contact your healthcare provider or an eye specialist if you have any of the following symptoms:
How to Disguise White Eyelashes
Your success in disguising or correcting white eyelashes depends on the cause of your condition and your desire to change the way you look.
Medical treatment can take time to affect the color of white eyelashes. Whether your white eyelashes are temporary or permanent, the following options may disguise the problem:
While eye treatments can help eyelashes appear naturally dark, there are risks in using chemicals so close to your eye. Formaldehyde in eyelash glue and hydrogen peroxide in eyelash dyes are two ingredients that pose the highest risks of eye damage.
Summary
While white eyelashes can present a cosmetic problem, they rarely threaten your health. Most people have white eyelashes as a result of aging. Other causes like genetics, some health issues, and smoking can also cause white eyelashes.
Finding the cause of your white eyelashes is key for health and cosmetic reasons. White eyelashes may be a sign of a health problem that needs treatment. Treating the health problem can sometimes restore white eyelashes to their original.
20 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jo SK, Lee JY, Lee Y, Kim CD, Lee JH, Lee YH.Three streams for the mechanism of hair graying.Ann Dermatol. 2018;30(4):397-401. doi:10.5021/ad.2018.30.4.397National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Waardenburg syndrome.MedlinePlus.Tuberous sclerosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Piebaldism.National Health Service (NHS).Overview: vitiligo.Asz-Sigall D, Ortega-Springall MF, Smith-Pilego M, et. al.White hair in alopecia areata: clinical forms and proposed physiopathologic mechanisms.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2023;89(4):758-763. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.12.047Hussein RS, Atia T, Bin Dayel S.Impact of thyroid dysfunction on hair disorders.Cureus. 2023;15(8):e43266. doi:10.7759/cureus.43266Sleiman R, Kurban M, Succaria F, Abbas O.Poliosis circumscripta: overview and underlying causes.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69(4):625-33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.05.022National Institute of Neurological Disorders ad Stroke.Neurofibromatosis.National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD).Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.Columbine Health systems Center for Healthy Aging: Colorado State University.The science of gray hair.Ricci F, De Simone C, Del Regno L, Peris K.Drug-induced hair colour changes.Eur J Dermatol2016; 26(6): 531-6. doi:10.1684/ejd.2016.2844Nigam PK, Nigam P.Premature greying of hair (premature canities): a concern for parent and child.Pigmentary Disorders2017;4:(260):1-6. doi:10.4172/2376-0427.1000260Zayed AA, Shahait AD, Ayoub MN, Yousef AM.Smokers’ hair: does smoking cause premature hair graying?Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013;4(2):90-92. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.110586Allure.These “salt and pepper” lash extensions are Instagram’s unexpected way to get fuller-looking lashes.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Why do humans have eyebrows and eyelashes?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Should I be worried about my daughter’s white eye lashes?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Signs you may need an eye exam right away.Review of Optometry.Lashing out: dangerous beauty trends.
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jo SK, Lee JY, Lee Y, Kim CD, Lee JH, Lee YH.Three streams for the mechanism of hair graying.Ann Dermatol. 2018;30(4):397-401. doi:10.5021/ad.2018.30.4.397National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Waardenburg syndrome.MedlinePlus.Tuberous sclerosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Piebaldism.National Health Service (NHS).Overview: vitiligo.Asz-Sigall D, Ortega-Springall MF, Smith-Pilego M, et. al.White hair in alopecia areata: clinical forms and proposed physiopathologic mechanisms.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2023;89(4):758-763. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.12.047Hussein RS, Atia T, Bin Dayel S.Impact of thyroid dysfunction on hair disorders.Cureus. 2023;15(8):e43266. doi:10.7759/cureus.43266Sleiman R, Kurban M, Succaria F, Abbas O.Poliosis circumscripta: overview and underlying causes.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69(4):625-33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.05.022National Institute of Neurological Disorders ad Stroke.Neurofibromatosis.National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD).Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.Columbine Health systems Center for Healthy Aging: Colorado State University.The science of gray hair.Ricci F, De Simone C, Del Regno L, Peris K.Drug-induced hair colour changes.Eur J Dermatol2016; 26(6): 531-6. doi:10.1684/ejd.2016.2844Nigam PK, Nigam P.Premature greying of hair (premature canities): a concern for parent and child.Pigmentary Disorders2017;4:(260):1-6. doi:10.4172/2376-0427.1000260Zayed AA, Shahait AD, Ayoub MN, Yousef AM.Smokers’ hair: does smoking cause premature hair graying?Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013;4(2):90-92. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.110586Allure.These “salt and pepper” lash extensions are Instagram’s unexpected way to get fuller-looking lashes.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Why do humans have eyebrows and eyelashes?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Should I be worried about my daughter’s white eye lashes?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Signs you may need an eye exam right away.Review of Optometry.Lashing out: dangerous beauty trends.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Jo SK, Lee JY, Lee Y, Kim CD, Lee JH, Lee YH.Three streams for the mechanism of hair graying.Ann Dermatol. 2018;30(4):397-401. doi:10.5021/ad.2018.30.4.397National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Waardenburg syndrome.MedlinePlus.Tuberous sclerosis.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Piebaldism.National Health Service (NHS).Overview: vitiligo.Asz-Sigall D, Ortega-Springall MF, Smith-Pilego M, et. al.White hair in alopecia areata: clinical forms and proposed physiopathologic mechanisms.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2023;89(4):758-763. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.12.047Hussein RS, Atia T, Bin Dayel S.Impact of thyroid dysfunction on hair disorders.Cureus. 2023;15(8):e43266. doi:10.7759/cureus.43266Sleiman R, Kurban M, Succaria F, Abbas O.Poliosis circumscripta: overview and underlying causes.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69(4):625-33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.05.022National Institute of Neurological Disorders ad Stroke.Neurofibromatosis.National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD).Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.Columbine Health systems Center for Healthy Aging: Colorado State University.The science of gray hair.Ricci F, De Simone C, Del Regno L, Peris K.Drug-induced hair colour changes.Eur J Dermatol2016; 26(6): 531-6. doi:10.1684/ejd.2016.2844Nigam PK, Nigam P.Premature greying of hair (premature canities): a concern for parent and child.Pigmentary Disorders2017;4:(260):1-6. doi:10.4172/2376-0427.1000260Zayed AA, Shahait AD, Ayoub MN, Yousef AM.Smokers’ hair: does smoking cause premature hair graying?Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013;4(2):90-92. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.110586Allure.These “salt and pepper” lash extensions are Instagram’s unexpected way to get fuller-looking lashes.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Why do humans have eyebrows and eyelashes?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Should I be worried about my daughter’s white eye lashes?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Signs you may need an eye exam right away.Review of Optometry.Lashing out: dangerous beauty trends.
Jo SK, Lee JY, Lee Y, Kim CD, Lee JH, Lee YH.Three streams for the mechanism of hair graying.Ann Dermatol. 2018;30(4):397-401. doi:10.5021/ad.2018.30.4.397
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Waardenburg syndrome.
MedlinePlus.Tuberous sclerosis.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Piebaldism.
National Health Service (NHS).Overview: vitiligo.
Asz-Sigall D, Ortega-Springall MF, Smith-Pilego M, et. al.White hair in alopecia areata: clinical forms and proposed physiopathologic mechanisms.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2023;89(4):758-763. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.12.047
Hussein RS, Atia T, Bin Dayel S.Impact of thyroid dysfunction on hair disorders.Cureus. 2023;15(8):e43266. doi:10.7759/cureus.43266
Sleiman R, Kurban M, Succaria F, Abbas O.Poliosis circumscripta: overview and underlying causes.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69(4):625-33. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.05.022
National Institute of Neurological Disorders ad Stroke.Neurofibromatosis.
National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD).Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.
National Eye Institute.Blepharitis.
Columbine Health systems Center for Healthy Aging: Colorado State University.The science of gray hair.
Ricci F, De Simone C, Del Regno L, Peris K.Drug-induced hair colour changes.Eur J Dermatol2016; 26(6): 531-6. doi:10.1684/ejd.2016.2844
Nigam PK, Nigam P.Premature greying of hair (premature canities): a concern for parent and child.Pigmentary Disorders2017;4:(260):1-6. doi:10.4172/2376-0427.1000260
Zayed AA, Shahait AD, Ayoub MN, Yousef AM.Smokers’ hair: does smoking cause premature hair graying?Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013;4(2):90-92. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.110586
Allure.These “salt and pepper” lash extensions are Instagram’s unexpected way to get fuller-looking lashes.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Why do humans have eyebrows and eyelashes?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Should I be worried about my daughter’s white eye lashes?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Signs you may need an eye exam right away.
Review of Optometry.Lashing out: dangerous beauty trends.
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