How do eyelash serums work? are they worth it?

We wear mascara, eyelash extensions and lash tint to make our eyelashes look more attractive, these products make our eyes pop. The longer lash look is in fashion and has been for a long time. There are various eyelash serums on the market that claim that they can help you achieve longer, thicker, curlier lashes. How do eyelash serums work you might ask. Read on to find out

We are seeing more and more products on the market that claim that they will help grow your eyelashes. Celebrities sometimes even endorse them claiming that they work. The brands that make these serums are pretty good at marketing but do they actually work? You might be a sceptic and so was I when I started writing this article. This is what I found out:

What is a lash serum?

Lash serums are products that are marketed as something that will help grow your lashes, giving you longer, thicker and fuller lashes. The drugstore options are usually the ones that contain conditioning nutrients that will nourish your eyelashes. The prescription-grade products are the ones that are actually backed by research and will grow your eyelashes.

You need to remember that amazingly long and thick eyelashes don’t happen overnight. The results can take weeks for the effects to show up. Unfortunately, you need to apply the product every night for weeks to see if it actually works.

If at the end of the couple of weeks it hasn’t worked then you’ll have to try a new one, if you still have the strength. There aren’t many options on the market that work in the first place so finding one that works can be quite difficult. This eyelash serum is a favourite.

How do eyelash serums work?

Effective lash serums have been developed and are available to us, we can use them as we please and as we need.  They will contain some active ingredients backed by research which increase hair growth, the darkness of the lashes and thickness of the lashes.

There are only a few lash growth ingredients that are as well researched and as well-known as bimatoprost, this is an ingredient in Latisse.  This product is said to grow your lashes. It has been FDA approved and has been endorsed by celebrities who say they have seen the positive effects of using this product.

Another ingredient that is said to increase the grown of lashes is synthetic prostaglandin. This is found in RevitaLash Advanced. Even though some counties accept products that contain synthetic prostaglandin we don’t know much about this ingredient.

In addition, the (FDA Food and Drug Administration) have limited research on the side effects and risks associated with using products that contain synthetic prostaglandin, the FDA warns against using it.

There are companies that advertise their products as something that has the ability to grow lashes but this isn’t always the truth. These are usually just marketing tactics.

Some products advertised contain plant extracts, and this gets customers to buy the product. These exotic plant extracts don’t actually do the job of growing your lashes. In most cases, the lash serums will only condition the lashes, this will prevent the lashes from falling out and or breaking, making them seem thicker and longer.

Yes, the replenishing and conditioning of lashes is helpful but it is not growth stimulating. You might find that they contain ingredients such as biotin, apple stem extract, and castor oil. These will all make the lashes appear thicker.

Are eyelash serums safe?

The eye, in general, is a very sensitive and delicate organ. You really don’t want to be messing with it. As we know, from our article on eye serums, the skin around the eye is very sensitive, delicate and thin, anything that you do to it needs to be gentle.

There are risks associated with using serums such as red eyes, itchiness and swelling if the product gets into your eye.  Thankfully there has only ever been a reaction in with 4% of users. Other effects of using eyelash serums can include:

  • Pigmentation of the eyelids
  • Eye colour change
  • Eye pressure can be reduced if the serum accidentally reaches the eyes
  • Hair growth anywhere that the serum lands
  • Worsening of a dry eye condition if you have one

If you want to avoid the side effects then you should make sure that to gently wipe away the residue that might have touched the skin around your eye. You should also stop using the product if adverse effects occur

What happens when you stop using eyelash serums?

When you stop using the serums your eyelashes will go back to how they were before you started using the serum. So unfortunately if you want to keep having long thick lashes you will have to use the serum constantly.

That isn’t too great because these serums aren’t exactly cheap and the rest of your life is a long time. This reversal won’t be a quick change, it will take several weeks to a couple of months for your eyelashes to revert. If you skip a day or two of using the serum then you’ll be ok.

How do you use eyelash growth serum?

  1. Start off by washing your hands. Our hands came into contact with a number of foreign pollutants, dirt debris and external pollutants during the day. The last thing you want is to get that into your eyes
  2. If you wear contact lenses you need to remove them from your eyes.
  3. Cleanse your eye area and your eyelashes. You can cleanse this area with warm water and a gentle cleanser that won’t irritate your eyes. Remove any oil, dirt and makeup from your eye area, this will allow the product to work better.
  4. If you’re using serum from a tube apply some of the serum onto a q-tip. Make sure the q-tip is sterile and make sure that you’ll only be using it once. This will avoid any infections.
  5. Coat your eyelashes and your lash line with the serum. You don’t have to apply a thick layer of serum for the product to work, you can use a thin coat of serum and this will do the trick.
  6. Do not apply the serum on your lower lash line. As you blink and do other eye movements the product will transfer to the bottom lash line.
  7. If you have any excess serum on your skin carefully remove this excess with a different q-tip or a cotton round. If you leave it on there there is a chance that hair will grow in that area.  

Tip: Before you use an eyelash serum or any product for that matter it’s important to test the product on a small part of your skin first. The serum may be considered safe but you never know how a product can react to your skin, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

To check if you have an allergic reaction to the product you should apply a small amount for product on a small patch of skin. After application, wait 48 hours to see if it causes an allergic reaction. If nothing happens then this product will be safe to use.

Does Vaseline help eyelash growth?

No, Vaseline doesn’t directly help with eyelash growth but Vaseline can improve the appearance of your eyelashes in other ways making the look healthier.

Vaseline is an occlusive product, it seals in moisture. It seals moisture not only on the skin but it can also seal in moisture on your hair and your eyelashes.

If you apply an eyelash serum on your eyelashes and you use Vaseline afterwards your product will be sealed and the product won’t evaporate from your eyelashes.

Does castor oil grow eyelashes?

Castor oil has been praised for being able to help grow not only the hair on your head but the eyelashes as well. This is a well-loved castor oil.

Whether you’re using the clear cold-pressed castor oil or you’re using Jamaican black castor oil both oils have the same properties and both will be beneficial in helping you grow your lashes.

The oil contains fatty acids these fatty acids are nourishing. The oil deposits nutrients that maintain the hair and this prevents them from falling out. This makes your eyelashes look thicker and fuller.

Does olive oil help eyelashes grow?

Olive oil works in a similar way to castor oil in that it can play a role in helping keep your eyelashes healthy. This enables the eyelashes to retain length and density. This is a well-loved olive oil.

The oil is packed with essential fatty acids. These fatty acids nourish and moisturise the eyelashes making them healthier and thus allowing them to stay on your eyelid for longer.

The fatty acids moisturise the eyelashes, soften them and make sure that any products applied before the oil is locked in, castor oil is a natural emollient.

Does coconut oil help eyelashes grow?

Coconut oil can help make your eyelashes healthier and this can make your eyelashes stronger and look like they’re growing. Not only can it moisturize your skin but it can also moisturise and strengthen your eyelashes.

People use coconut oil on their hair as a pre-shampoo to prevent the loss of protein from the wash but it can also be used on the eyelashes to soften and strengthen them. Stronger eyelashes are less likely to shed or break and this makes your eyelashes look fuller and thicker. This is a well-loved coconut oil

Is Vaseline or coconut oil better for eyelashes?

Coconut oil is better for your eyelashes. They are both occlusive products but coconut oil has the added befit of nutrients and minerals which can nourish your eyelashes and help them grow stronger and retain length. Coconut oil contains fatty acids and well as vitamin E

How can I stimulate my eyelashes to grow?

Use oils:

Oils are packed with essential fatty acids that moisturise the eyelashes and keep them strong. They also contain various vitamins and minerals which will boost your eyelash health.

Use an eyelash serum:

Eyelash serums are products that contain concentrated amounts of ingredients in the formulas. This will allow them to target and rectify the issue better. They are designed to boost the health and length of your eyelashes. This eyelash serum is a favourite.

Consume biotin:

Biotin will help with all types of hair growth. If you’ve ever used biotin for the hair on your head you might have noticed that hair on the rest of your body grows as well. This is true for the hair on your lashes too. Supplements will give you the amount of biotin you need for healthy hair growth.

Lash boost mascara:

If you want the best of both worlds, a serum that grows your lashes and a mascara that thickens and lengthens them, then try a last boosting mascara like this one. Over time your eyelashes will grow under this mascara.

Use green tea:

Green tea isn’t only good for drinking, it can be used to grow your lashes as well. After you’ve finished with your green the apply the cold seeped tea on your lash line. The tea helps as it contains antioxidants, these help to grow your eyelashes.

Can you put mascara on after eyelash serum?

If you’re trying to grow your eyelashes I don’t recommend you apply a regular mascara after the eyelash serum. Mascara is quite drying on your eyelashes. A soon as the mascara dries it causes the hairs to become dry, weak and brittle making them easier to break.

Our hair and eyelashes need moisture and hydration just as much as our skin does. Drying out the eyelashes will lead to fragile eyelashes. If you want to use a mascara you should opt for a mascara that is infused with lash growth serum. This will grow your lashes, darken and thicken your lashes but won’t cause your lashes to break off.

How long should you use eyelash serum?

Eyelash serums should be used for about 4-6 weeks, after this time you will start to see results. Your serum use has to be constant for you to see the results. That being said, some lash serums can work much faster and some people can see results as early as 2-3 weeks of using this type of serum on the eyelashes consistently.

Why are my lashes thinning?

If you notice that your eyelashes are starting to fall out or are beginning to thin then you may want to be more gentle with them. Eyelashes fall out because of what we do to them.

If you use mascara on your lashes and remove it aggressively your eyelashes can all out. If you use medicated eye drops the eye drops can dry out the hair and this will cause hair breakage. Even rubbing your eye can lead to your eyelashes falling out. The eye area is very delicate, rubbing the skin can loosen the hair.

What vitamins help eyelashes grow?

Vitamin E is great for eyelashes, it protects them from dangerous free radicals keeping them healthy. Vitamin B is also good for eyelashes. If you want to prevent them from shedding then this vitamin will do the job, using this vitamin consistently will ensure your eyelashes stay full.

Vitamin C can also be used on the eyelashes, it is helpful in minimising follicle damage and it helps to produce collagen in the eyelashes. Collagen also helps to repair you damaged eyelash strands.

I hope you enjoyed this article looking at how do eyelash serums work. If you enjoyed this article please share it.

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