From Dailymail · · 2m
Eyelash Compulsion and the Skincare Brand Turnaround
A 31-year-old woman overcame 18 years of trichotillomania by launching a skincare brand after a financial crisis.
In brief
A 31-year-old woman overcame 18 years of trichotillomania by launching a skincare brand after a financial crisis. Isobel Perl, 31, managed trichotillomania by creating a skincare brand after financial struggles and online support. Originally reported by Dailymail.
The 18-year struggle
For 18 hellish years a compulsion saw me pull out my own eyelashes.
“For 18 hellish years a compulsion saw me pull out my own eyelashes.”
The condition
Trichotillomania, also known as 'trich', is a condition that leaves sufferers with an uncontrollable desire to pull their hair out.
“Trichotillomania, also known as 'trich', is a condition that leaves sufferers with an uncontrollable desire to pull their hair out.”
The start
I was 13 when I started picking at my lashes due to stress at school.
“I was 13 when I started picking at my lashes.”
Family support
My parents noticed my habit, especially my mother who gently tapped my hand to stop.
“Mum’s also a therapist”
Early strategies
At 14, I saw a therapist and wore an elastic band on my wrist to manage urges.
“They also encouraged me to wear an elastic band on my wrist so that when I felt the urge to pull lashes I’d ping the band to give a similar sensation, which did help.”
The compulsion
Feeling stressed, tired, or bored triggers pulling out eyelashes for quick pain relief.
“The quick sting of pain when the lash is pulled out, followed by the sense of relief when it’s gone, is compulsive.”
Cyclical pattern
Trichotillomania settled after GCSEs but flared during A-levels and university.
“Trich for me has been cyclical, settling down after my GCSEs, but rearing up again during my A-level exams and while studying biology at the University of Nottingham.”
Self-consciousness
I carefully pencil in brows and use fake lash strips when lashes are few.
“During periods when I’ve pulled at my brows, I carefully pencil them back in. And whenever I’m down to my last few lashes, I use fake lash strips or individual ones to fill the gaps.”
Financial crisis
In 2023, I lost my job and moved back home after a poor business decision.
“In 2023, when I was 28, I experienced one of the worst episodes of trich in my life after a poor business decision left me in dire financial straits.”
Skincare brand
I launched a skincare brand during the pandemic after losing my job.
“What began as a kitchen-table experiment to lift myself out of a rough patch ended up turning into my skincare brand.”
TikTok impact
Two million views on TikTok led to messages from women about their hair-pulling.
“Via TikTok I told my customers that I was likely going to have to close down, and in the same video I opened up about suffering with trich. Two million views later, I was inundated with messages from women saying they too pull out their hair.”
Lash serum reaction
A lash serum caused purple hyperpigmentation, leading to a natural oil solution.
“I invested in an expensive lash serum, only to suffer a reaction to the chemicals in it. The skin around my eyes was covered in purple hyperpigmentation.”
Natural solution
I developed a natural oil treatment to promote healthy lash regrowth.
“It gave me the impetus to develop my own lash treatment using natural oils to promote healthy regrowth.”
Lifestyle changes
I gave up alcohol in 2024 and prioritized rest to manage stress.
“That’s part of the reason why I gave up alcohol in 2024, after realising that the tiredness of a hangover was a trigger.”
Current control
I manage trichotillomania by taking care of my mind and avoiding triggers.
“The more I’ve opened up about it online, the less I feel ashamed. I hope doing so will help other sufferers, too.”
The future
Trichotillomania will always be part of me, but I’ve improved my control.
“Trich will always be part of who I am, but I’ve got much better at keeping it in check.”
What to remember
Isobel Perl, 31, managed trichotillomania by creating a skincare brand after financial struggles and online support.
