Eyebrows, eyelashes and make-up during treatment

Many chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer can cause eyebrows and eyelashes to thin or fall out, often a few weeks after hair on the head begins to fall, and sometimes towards the end of treatment. For many women, losing brows and lashes feels harder than losing scalp hair, because they frame the face and are harder to hide. The good news is that brows and lashes usually grow back, often within a few months of finishing chemotherapy, and simple make-up techniques can recreate a natural look in the meantime. Eyebrow pencils, powders and gels can draw soft, hair-like strokes; stencils help create an even shape; and tinted brow products add definition to thin brows. For lashes, eyeliner along the lash line and gently smudged eyeshadow can give the impression of lashes. False lashes can be used with care, but lash glue can irritate sensitive eyes. Without lashes, eyes are more exposed to dust and grit, so glasses or sunglasses can help protect them. Skin often becomes more sensitive during treatment, so gentle, fragrance-free products, patch testing and good hygiene matter. Permanent options such as microblading are usually postponed until treatment has finished and blood counts have recovered, because of infection and bleeding risks.

Before brows fall out

Take a photo of your natural brows, or trace their shape, to guide drawing them later.

Protect your eyes

Glasses help keep dust out, and lubricating eye drops may ease dryness. Ask your team.

Make-up hygiene

Replace eye make-up regularly and do not share products, to reduce infection risk.

Chemotherapy can make skin dry and eyes irritated. Gentle care helps.

Choose gentle products

Use fragrance-free cleansers and moisturisers, and remove make-up gently with a mild remover.

Clean brushes

Wash make-up brushes weekly and replace mascara and eyeliner regularly.

Protect eyes

Glasses or sunglasses help keep out dust. Ask about lubricating eye drops for dryness.

Watch for infection

Red, swollen, sticky or painful eyes should be reported to your team.

Sun protection

Some treatments make skin sensitive to sun. Use sunscreen and shade.

Most people see eyebrows and eyelashes starting to return within a few weeks to a few months after chemotherapy ends. Regrowth often happens gradually and may be uneven at first.

What regrowth looks like

New brow hairs may be finer, lighter or grow in slightly different directions. Lashes may be shorter at first and lengthen over time.

Caring for new hairs

Avoid plucking, threading or waxing until brows have fully grown back, as new hairs are fragile. Brushing gently with a clean spoolie helps them lie neatly.

Tinting and shaping

Wait until the skin has recovered and do a patch test before tinting brows or lashes, as skin can remain sensitive for a while.

Ongoing treatments

Some hormone therapies and targeted medicines can cause lashes to grow longer or curlier, or brows to thin slightly. Tell your team if lashes irritate your eyes.

If regrowth is slow

If brows or lashes have not begun to return several months after chemotherapy, mention it to your doctor, who may check thyroid function and other causes.

Protecting eyes while lashes return

Until lashes grow back, eyes can collect more dust and sweat. Wearing glasses outdoors, rinsing eyes gently with clean water and using lubricating drops if advised all help keep them comfortable.

Be patient with sparse areas

The outer ends of brows often fill in last, so keep using a pencil there while the rest grows.

Keep a simple kit

A brow pencil, spoolie, soft eyeliner and gentle make-up remover in a small pouch make quick touch-ups easy when you are out.

Semi-permanent options later

Once treatment has ended and your team agrees, microblading or brow tinting can help fill gaps if regrowth remains patchy. Choose a hygienic, licensed practitioner with experience of clients who have had cancer treatment.