Voluminous, luscious lashes are every woman's dream! Of course, we like to enhance them with mascara, curl them with special curling tools and extend their length with special eyelash extensions, but how often do we care about the health of our lashes? Eyelashes play an important role — they protect our eyes from dust, sunshine, foreign objects, and even minor damage, therefore taking good care of their health is just as important as taking care of the skin and overall health. With the support of Hers and dermatologist Sandy Skotnicki's guidance, we are going to discuss eyelash health and answer some smoldering questions about their health.
What Is Eyelash Hypotrichosis And What Causes It?
Have you noticed your eyelash hair falling out, being sparse and weak? Then you should consult your doctor because you might be struggling from eyelash hypotrichosis — a condition, which is defined as having lower than average length, thickness, and/or several eyelashes. There are many different causes of eyelashes hypotrichosis. Severe medical treatment, like chemotherapy and eye surgery, aging, and other unknowns are the main reasons for thin or absent lash growth.
How To Promote Eyelash Growth According to the Internet Tips?
You'll find a bunch of useful (and not so useful) tips and tricks on the internet, that help people to promote natural eyelash growth and straighten their health. Some of these tips have a definite scientific base, while others are just used to promote eyelash growth products. So, it is better to get a professional's opinion on them.
- Vaseline
Vaseline is the most popular and widely used remedy. It supposes to moisturize the base and roots of your eyelashes, helping new hairs to grow out healthier and longer.
There is no scientific data to support the use of Vaseline for prevention of eyelash loss or to help the eyelashes grow longer. Applying Vaseline around the eyes can cause inflammation/irritation for some people.
- Coconut Oil
Every skincare lover knows about the benefits of natural coconut oil. It has a whole bunch of beneficial nutrients, thus coconut oil is an irreplaceable helper when it comes to treating dry hair and dry skin. Its nourishing composition encourages new hair growth, so applying it on eyelashes should work as well, right?
There is no scientific data to support the use of coconut for prevention of eyelash loss or to help the eyelashes grow longer. Applying vaseline around the eyes can cause inflammation/irritation for some people.
- Castor Oil
Natural, high-quality castor oil contains around 90% of ricinoleic acid, which contains a high level of triglycerides (a type of lipid, found in human blood) and omega-6 fatty acids. These ingredients may help moisturize eyelashes and improve their appearance.
Moisturizing your eyelashes just like your hair can make it more subtle and if it is less dry or brittle will keep it healthier.Castor oil is really the only herbal treatment shown in limited research to potentially improve hair loss and women use it for regrowing eyelashes and eyebrows.
- Cutting Eyelashes So That They Grow Stronger & Longer
When we are cutting our hair, it appears to grow better and denser. So, does this method work on eyelashes?
There is no data on this.
Medical Treatments for Eyelash Growth
- Bimatoprost (Latisse)
Each hair follicle has a cyclical behavior pattern. The active growth phase of the eyelash lasts around 30 days. It is believed that Latisse increases the proportion of hair follicles in the growth phase of the hair cycle, though there are a few negative side effects of its usage. The most common are irritations, itchy sensations, eye redness, and dryness.
It’s "clinically proven". Latisse or the drug Bimatoprost can thicken and lengthen fine hairs - eyelashes and in some cases eyebrows when used regularly. This is because the hair follicle stays in a growth cycle for a longer period of time before it is shed.
Other Ways To Boost Eyelash Appearance
- Eyelash Extensions
Eyelash extensions are one of the most common, non-medical, and non-surgical ways to make your lashes appear longer and denser. A typical set of 70-80 lashes per one eye range in cost from $100 to $400 and need to be 'refreshes' every few weeks, depending on your hair growth.
What does the doctor say?
Eyelash extensions can damage the natural lash. some women may be allergic to or develop an allergy to the adhesive that is used.
- Lash-boosting Mascara
It is believed that some mascaras, which contain a special blend of arginine, acid proteins, and vitamins help eyelashes grow.
What does the doctor say?
There is no scientific evidence to back lash-boosting mascaras up.
There are way too many medically unverified eyelash growth tips, floating on the internet vasts. Before trying anything yourself, it is best to ask for advice from a professional doctor both online and in person. A balanced diet, which contains all the necessary vitamins for the beauty of your skin and hair, like vitamin D and selenium, full 8 hours of beauty sleep, and gentle eyelash care will positively affect the appearance of your lashes. Do you know any useful eyelash growth tips and remedies that worked for you?
Liz