October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the challenges faced by those undergoing treatment and the ways we can offer care and support. At Luisa Krayem Permanent Makeup, we work closely with clients at many different stages of their cancer journey, offering treatments designed to restore confidence when illness and its side effects have taken so much away.

One of the areas that can be particularly difficult during chemotherapy is the loss of eyelashes. It’s a change many people don’t expect until it happens — and it can feel very stark when the natural frame around the eyes suddenly disappears. Permanent eyeliner can be a gentle way to restore definition and help maintain a sense of self.

Why eyelashes are lost during chemotherapy

Chemotherapy works by targeting cells that divide rapidly. This is crucial in stopping cancer cells, but it also affects healthy cells that grow quickly — including the cells in hair follicles. As a result, hair loss can affect the scalp, brows, body hair, and eyelashes.

Lashes often fall out later than scalp hair, but once they do, eyes can appear bare, smaller, or tired. For many women, this change is a visible reminder of illness every time they look in the mirror.

How permanent eyeliner helps

Permanent eyeliner is a subtle tattoo placed along the lash line. It doesn’t replace the lashes themselves, but it creates the illusion of fuller lashes and restores definition to the eyes.

Here’s how it helps:

• Framing the eyes: Even a fine line along the lash line brings back shape and balance.
• Natural look: A soft enhancement is chosen to mimic the shadow that lashes normally create.
• Time-saving: No need to apply makeup daily, which can be especially helpful during treatment when energy is low.
• Confidence boost: Restoring definition can make a big difference in how someone feels about their reflection.

Timing is important

Like brows, eyeliner tattooing can only be carried out before chemotherapy begins. Once treatment has started, the immune system is suppressed and the skin is more vulnerable, which makes tattooing unsafe. There also needs to be healing time before the first chemo session.

This means there is only a short window — sometimes just days — to have eyeliner safely done before treatment starts.

In summary

The loss of lashes during chemotherapy can feel like a small detail, but it has a big impact on how someone feels. Permanent eyeliner offers a way to restore definition and maintain a sense of normality at a time when so much feels out of control.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to highlight not just the physical treatments available, but also the emotional support they bring — helping women feel more like themselves when facing one of life’s toughest journeys.