Have you been longing for longer eyelashes? Using natural eyelash growth methods, you can achieve longer lashes naturally without compromising their health.
Over the last few years, eyelash serums have become increasingly popular. For the most part, they are marketed as being a safe way to promote natural eyelash growth, making your lashes grow thicker and longer. It is even advertised that these serums can help to promote your lash health. However, many serums can potentially come with some side effects, which we will take a look at below.
A great alternative to this is to use natural methods to grow your eyelashes. This is not only better for you, but could also potentially be better for the planet if you’re using at-home ingredients.
Best Methods for Natural Eyelash Growth
(Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / Alexas_Fotos)
There are several natural methods that can potentially help to grow and strengthen your lashes. You may prefer to try these before jumping straight to a lash serum, which will likely contain more chemicals and other potentially harmful ingredients.
Here are some natural eyelash growth methods:
- Vitamin E oil: Vitamin E has been shown in studies to potentially promote hair growth in individuals with hair loss, therefore it is thought that it may also potentially help lash growth too. However, this has not been scientifically proven. Some argue that the hair growth seen in the study may be because of the vitamin’s ability to reduce oxidative stress on the scalp, instead of actually stimulating your hair follicles.
- Castor oil: Castor oil can help to moisturize and condition your eyelashes, which may make them appear to be fuller. However, there is no current scientific evidence that it will help your lashes to grow. Castor oil is both biodegradable and sustainable, so it won’t hurt the environment to give it a go.
- Curling: Curling your lashes is a great way to make them appear longer. However, repeated use could potentially damage and weaken your lashes.
- Coconut oil: An old study suggests that coconut oil may help to prevent protein loss in hair, which may potentially help to keep your lashes in healthy condition. However, there is minimal scientific evidence to currently support the claim that coconut oil makes your lashes grow longer. It also may not be the most eco-friendly option when compared to other oils. This is because of its transportation footprint, and potential deforestation as demand increases.
There are other methods which have not been scientifically proven to help with eyelash growth, including aloe vera, green tea, Vaseline or petroleum jelly and olive oil. While these are often discussed online as being great ways to grow your eyelashes, there is actually minimal scientific evidence to support these claims.
Best Natural Lash Serums and Ingredients to Look out for
(Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / Bru-nO)
If you want to avoid using chemicals on your lashes, then methods for natural eyelash growth are a great option. However, there is currently only one scientifically proven product that has been approved by the FDA for eyelash growth:
5. Latisse. You can get Latisse from a doctor. It is usually prescribed for those with ‘inadequate or not enough lashes’.
However, Latisse and many other lash serums on the market contain a potentially harmful ingredient. The ingredient is more broadly known as ‘prostaglandin analogs‘. Some other names for prostaglandin analogs include:
- Bimatoprost
- Latanoprost
- Isopropyl cloprostenate
- Isopropyl phenyl hydroxypentane
- Dihydroxy cyclopentyl heptane
- Travoprost
- Isopropanol Phenyl-hydroxyl-pentene Dihydroxy-cyclopentyl-heptenate
- Dechloro Dihydroxy Difluoro Ethylcloprostenolamide
- Trifluoromethyl Dechloro Ethylprostenolamide
You should look out for these ingredients when looking for a lash serum, as these are indicative that the product contains prostaglandin analogs.
Potential Side Effects of Prostaglandin Analogs
While Latisse is regulated by the FDA, lash serums are not. This means that they don’t have to undergo the same intensitivity safety testing that they would for a drug. Prolonged use of lash serums with these ingredients could lead to several potential side effects, including:
- Upper eyelid ptosis (drooping)
- Deepening of the upper eyelid crease
- Hyperpigmentation of surrounding skin
- Darkening of the iris
- Periorbital volume loss
- Eye irritation
However, it is worth noting that these side effects don’t affect everyone who uses lash serums, but it is something worth noting and taking into consideration before you purchase any serum on the market. Instead, it may be worth opting for a natural eyelash growth serum, which avoids the use of prostaglandin analogs.
Some brands selling more gentle and natural eyelash growth serums include VEGAMOUR and LashFood Phyto-Medic Eyelash Enhancer. Neither of these brands contain prostaglandin analogs. You could even try making your own homemade eyelash serum, using a mix of the ingredients mentioned in the previous section.
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