Psychology says eyelashes play a role in how we perceive people. Having thick and long eyelashes is associated with beauty and femininity. This is why women use various methods to accentuate their eyes and enhance the length of their eyelashes, such as eyeliners, eye-shadows, false lashes, lash extensions, magnetic lashes, and even eyelash curlers.
However, there are several ways to grow your eyelashes naturally without resorting to eyelash extensions, false lashes, or even magnetic lashes. It could be moisturizing them with eyelash growth serums or simply grooming them. If you are trying to get longer and thicker lashes, there are several treatments you can try.
Why Are My Eyelashes Thinning?
Eyelashes are curved fine hairs growing on the edges of the eyelids with its primary function to operate as dust catchers to protect the eyes from debris, dirt, dust, and other small particles that might want to enter the eyes. They also provide other protective functions, such as filtering the sunlight that shines onto our eyes.
Meanwhile, they are delicate hairs that can easily snap off without proper hydration or care. It is utterly disappointing when your lashes are thin and short, and you have noticeable gaps on your lash line. Eyelashes can fall out for several reasons, from simple habits to medical conditions to eye infections. Here are a few reasons;
1. Irritations From False Eyelashes Or Lash Extensions
Eyelash extension requires the use of a medical-grade glue to attach to your natural lashes. For this reason, pulling and tugging at them can result in thinning eyelashes. Likewise, pulling off false eyelashes without using an oil-based cleanser can damage your natural lashes.
2. Medical Conditions
Medical conditions such as blepharitis, psoriasis, inflammatory disease, thyroid disorders, alopecia, eczema, and many other diseases can cause eyelashes to fall out. Also, some medications have eyelash thinning as a side effect of Chemotherapy drugs.
3. Excessive Stress
Sometimes excessive stress can result in hair and eyelash loss. Excessive stress pushes the follicles into a dormant phase which can cause the lashes to fall out. It may sound so severe and alarming, but the lashes will eventually grow back with time.
10 Ways To Get Long Eyelashes
While trying to grow your eyelashes, the most important thing to note is to go easy on them and carry out proper eyelash maintenance to improve the health of the lashes.
1. Brushing Regularly
Brushing your lashes regularly can also help to avoid breakage and promote growth. Brushing regularly will not only help to distribute natural and nourishing oils to the lashes, but it will also keep them long, healthy and thick.
The build-up of oil, skin, dirt and makeup will cause premature shedding and break down the adhesive. Therefore, cleansing the lashes will eliminate the impurities and give better retention.
How To Brush
Grab your lash brush and apply it to the top of your lash line. Then roll your brush downward and outward through your lashes.
2. Lash-Boost
Lash boost is a non-medicated serum that will work wonders for your lashes, promoting growth over time. Generally, there is no evidence that a lash boost will make your lashes grow longer and thicker, but some of its ingredients, like keratin and Biotin, might help promote growth.
However, it is safe to use and comes with an applicator wand that you can use along your lash line. It only takes about 90 seconds for the liquid to dry after it is applied to your upper eyelids.
How To Apply
Firstly, remove makeup and cleanse your face. Apply serum only along the upper lash lines. Dip the brush once per eye and wipe off excess serum from the eyelids or lashes.
You might want to check out: How To Apply Rodan and Fields Lash Boost
3. Castor Oil
Castor Oil is a natural remedy that is capable of giving thicker and long eyelashes. It contains Ricinoleic acid, and this acid helps to prevent hair loss.
However, while castor oil is considered safe, some adverse side effects include skin irritation and allergic reactions around the eye area. Before applying it all, take a patch test to know if you react, and if you don’t, you can apply it directly on the lashes with your fingertips or with a dry and clean spoolie.
How To Use
Cleanse your eyelashes thoroughly with water and pat them with a mild cleanser. Then dip the cotton swab in the oil and sweep it along your upper and lower lash line. Ensure you don’t get the oil on your eyes.
4. Lavender And Coconut Oil
Lavender oil is produced by distillation from the flower spikes of certain species of lavender. In contrast, coconut oil is made from copra, dried coconut kernel, and it is a perfect carrier oil to mix with lavender oil because it is antibacterial and antimicrobial. These two essential oils combined can speed up lash growth and prevent the growth of bacteria.
What You’ll Need
- ½ teaspoon of coconut oil
- 2-4 drops of lavender essential oil.
How To Apply
Mix both oils and use your finger or a cotton swab to swipe it along your eyelash roots down to the ends of your eyelashes. Use a tissue to wipe away excess product and keep water nearby if your eyes start to burn. Also, do not forget to do a patch test first in case of an allergic reaction.
5. Green Tea
Not only is green tea great for detoxifying the body, but it is also great for the eyelashes because it contains flavonoids and polyphenols. Green tea also contains Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate, which is beneficial for eyelashes and hair follicles.
These ingredients improve the lash length as well as the volume. It also provides a soothing effect and helps to reduce any puffiness in the eye area.
What You’ll Need
- One teaspoon of green tea leaves or one tea bag.
- 1 cup of hot water
- Cotton pads.
How To Use
Mix the two ingredients and let them cool off for about 5-10 minutes. Soak some cotton pads in the tea mixture and place on your eyes for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off with cool water.
You can also apply chilled green tea bags to your eyes to condition the lashes. However, using cool tea bags will improve circulation on the hair follicles and help with eye puffiness, dark circles, and face wrinkles.
6. Biotin Supplement
Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, is a Vitamin found in foods like eggs, milk, and bananas. Biotin deficiency can cause loss of hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes ingesting a biotin supplement can help improve this condition, but you need to consult a healthcare provider for the correct dosage of the supplement.
How To Use
Take Biotin by mouth or by a shot and increase your intake between 2mg and 5mg per day.
7. Use A Lash Growth Serum
Lash growth serums contain formulas designed to condition and strengthen the lashes, leading to less breakage. If used correctly, lash serums are extremely safe. To be on the safe side, you can opt for either an FDA-approved lash growth serum or one with conditioning ingredients like castor oil and vitamin E to protect and promote the growth of the eyelashes.
You might want to check out: 5 DIY Lash Growth Serum
How To Use
Apply the serum in a single thin layer to the upper lash line at the root of the eyelashes starting from the inner to the outer corner of your eye. When using a spoolie, brush the serum over your eyelashes the same way you apply mascara.
8. Vaseline And Olive Oil
Vaseline is an occlusive moisturizer that can make your eyelashes look moisturized and longer, seal in moisture, and hydrate the lashes. Olive oil is also effective in increasing lash growth, and the Vitamin E and folic acid present in olive oil help nurture your lashes. Aside from that, Olive oil is one of the best home remedies for dense eyelashes.
What Youll need
- One teaspoon of Vaseline
- One teaspoon of olive oil
How To Use
Mix the ingredients and apply the mixture to your eyelashes using a cotton bud. Leave the mixture overnight and wash it off with water the following day. Rinse off with water the next morning, or use a cleanser if it’s difficult to remove.
9. Lemon Peels Soaked In Olive Oil Or Castor Oil
Lemon peel promotes lash growth because they contain Vitamin A and C. Naturally, lemons contain many nutrients that strengthen the hair follicles and encourage new hair growth. The oil is extracted from the peel of fresh lemons through steam extraction or a cold-pressing process that rotates the peel as the oil is released.
What you’ll need
- 1-2 lemons
- Cotton swabs
- Castor oil/olive oil
How To Use
Place the lemon peels in a small jar and add a few olives or coconut oil tablespoons. Press the peel against the jar using a spoon to obtain the oils from the peels.
Once it is ready, dip a cotton swab in the mixture and apply it to your upper and lower lash lines. Leave it off for a couple of minutes before rinsing it off. Ensure you allow the mixture to sit overnight for effective results and store it in a cool, dry place away from any direct heat sources.
10. Try Latisse Or A Lash Lift
Latisse is very effective when it comes to growing eyelashes. People who tried it noticed an increase in length and sometimes in thickness and darkness. For best results, make Latisse a part of your regular daily routine, and if you miss applying it a day, do not try and play catch up the following day.
On the other hand, a lash lift is a semi-permanent treatment that gives you the appearance of fuller and thicker eyelashes without using any lash extensions. It also curls your lashes from base to tip to see the entire length. You can think of Lash lift as a perm for your lashes because you will not have to deal with clumpy mascaras.
You might want to check out: How to Do a Lash Lift Yourself
How To Use
Place one drop of Latisse directly onto a tiny eyeliner brush or into the bottle’s cap, then dip the brush into the cap. Apply it to the skin at the base of your upper lashes like you apply your eyeliner. If the brush feels dry, re-dip it into the cap.
One drop is enough to cover both eyes. For a lash lift, ensure you clean your lashes with an oil remover before you begin. Then pick a lift pad and place it close to your lash line. Apply the adhesive to your lashes, the perm solution, and the fixed lotion. Once you’re done, clean your lashes and apply the nourishing lotion.
Do Eyelashes Grow If Cut?
Like any other body hair, your eyelashes will grow back if cut or burned. It can take about six weeks for the lashes to grow back as long as there is no damage to the follicle or eyelid.
However, pulling an eyelash out can take longer for the eyelashes to grow back. That’s because pulling the eyelash can slow down the replacement process, but if you pull the eyelash near the end of the telogen phase, you will interrupt the normal life cycle of that eyelash.
The Bottom Line
While there are many home remedies, none is as effective as the eyelash lengthening medication known as Latisse. However, while you try out these remedies, be careful not to get any of the substances in or close to your eyes. There are so many remedies online on how to grow eyelashes.
Still, the truth is that not all these remedies have been scientifically proven to lengthen the eyelashes, and failure to carry out research before trying these remedies could damage the eyes. However, research has proven that Latisse is the only medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that lengthens eyelashes.
Although Latisse was first developed as a medication called “Lumigan” to treat glaucoma, it also became a medication for eyelash growth. Doctors recommend Latisse because it is safe and effective. You can apply it regularly to the upper eyelid lash line daily for at least two months for effective results.