Many want to know how to get longer and thicker eyelashes. It’s not surprising because longer and thicker eyelashes are often seen as a sign of beauty and attractiveness. For a lot of people, usually women, lush lashes make them feel more confident because they make them look more youthful and awake. Longer and fuller eyelashes can help frame one’s face, balancing the facial features and they also make the eyes look more dramatic and alluring. Some feel that long eyelashes even help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around their eyes.
But more than their cosmetic benefits, longer and thicker eyelashes can also help protect the eyes from debris and dust. While an instant option would be eyelash extensions, they need getting used to as well as regular maintenance so it’s no wonder why a lot are searching for how to get longer and thicker eyelashes naturally. Specialists can offer the best solutions in their clinics, but those on a budget want to know how to grow eyelashes longer and thicker at home. Read on to learn more about the common yet unproven home remedies for eyelash growth and what can be the best way to get longer and fuller eyelashes.
Common Home Remedies for Eyelash Growth
There is a long list of eyelash growth remedies at home all over the web. However, these remedies are not scientifically and clinically proven to lengthen and thicken eyelashes. Some might not even be safe and could damage your eyes and lashes, so be careful in trying these out.
Here are some of the common natural remedies for eyelash growth:
Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly) for Eyelashes
Is vaseline good for eyelashes? Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, is said to have moisturising properties that can hydrate your eyelids and strengthen your lash strands, preventing damage to your lashes. Some would use a cotton swab to apply petroleum jelly on the upper and lower eyelids, leave it on overnight, and then rinse it off in the morning.
But is petroleum jelly good for eyelashes? There are no studies that prove its ability to help eyelash growth. You also have to be careful that it doesn’t get to your eyes as it can be painful and irritating.
Green Tea for Eyelashes
Using green tea for eyelashes is one of the common home remedies to make eyelashes grow. Green tea is said to be rich in polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate which can promote hair growth, so it may help lash growth. What others do is cool the tea and then apply it topically with a cotton swab on their upper and lower lash lines.
Olive Oil for Eyelashes
Another one of the common home remedies for longer eyelashes is to pour a few drops of olive oil on a cotton ball and apply it to the upper and lower lashes, leave it on for a few minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water. But is olive oil good for eyelashes? Olive oil is found to have the phenolic compound oleuropein, which is shown to increase hair growth in rats. Perhaps it can also help your lashes grow longer and thicker, but there is not enough evidence that it gives the same results for humans.
Castor Oil for Eyelashes
Many use castor oil for eyelashes, believing it can help with growth. To grow thicker eyelashes, they dip a cotton swab in cold-pressed castor oil and apply it along the upper and lower eyelash lines, keep it on overnight, and then wash it off the following morning.
But is castor oil good for eyelashes? A major component of castor oil is ricinoleic acid which has shown potential in helping with hair loss, so it may aid in thickening your eyelashes. However, the high viscosity of castor oil is shown to cause hair matting and extreme dryness so consult your doctor first before trying this.
Aloe Vera for Eyelashes
Is aloe vera good for your eyelashes? Many say that aloe vera has moisturising and nourishing properties that can promote eyelash growth. Hydrating and strengthening the strands, it is said to make lashes appear longer and fuller. Although aloe vera is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, there is not enough research to determine how effective aloe vera is for eyelash growth and its long-term effects on the eye area. So even though it’s one of the most popular home remedies for eyelashes, caution is still advised.
Coconut Oil for Eyelashes
Another popular remedy to grow thicker eyelashes is using coconut oil. Many swear by coconut oil for eyelashes, saying that its penetrating effect helps prevent the loss of hair proteins and may help treat thinning or damaged eyelashes by aiding in regrowth. But is coconut oil good for eyelashes? It actually leaves an oily film on your lash strands that can weigh them down and cause problems for your eyes, so think twice before jumping on this trend.
Vitamin E for Eyelashes
One of the home remedies to make your eyelashes grow is topically applying vitamin E on the lash strands. Vitamin E can condition and nourish hair follicles. But is vitamin E good for eyelashes? Well, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that may help reduce the oxidative damage that causes hair loss increase. It also has tocotrienol compounds that possibly help increase the number of hair strands. However, you have to be careful in creating this DIY eyelash serum as there are not yet enough studies on its effectiveness and safety.
Lemon Peel Oil for Eyelashes
Not much study has been done to see if using lemon peel oil for eyelashes is safe and effective. One of the popular DIY eyelash remedies, lemon peel oil was found to promote faster hair growth in rabbits. Avoid trying this as it hasn’t been established yet if it yields the same results on humans.
Shea Butter for Eyelashes
Is shea butter good for eyelashes? Shea butter is found to be packed with vitamin C, which is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, preventing damage caused by free radicals and boosting collagen production. To help lash growth, some rub shea butter in between their fingers until it melts. Then they apply it to the upper and lower lashes and leave it on overnight. However, it can also irritate the eye area especially if you have sensitive eyes.
Biotin for Eyelashes
Biotin deficiency can cause hair loss, including eyebrows and eyelashes. Some take biotin for eyelashes and think they see results. A B vitamin, biotin is said to improve hair, skin, and nail health. Biotin may strengthen and prevent the breakage of hair shafts, allowing eyelashes to grow longer and thicker. However, more research is needed to support this claim so ask your doctor first before taking biotin supplements.
A Word of Caution for These Unproven Remedies
While there are many home remedies for eyebrow and eyelash growth, none of these are proven effective or safe yet. Some may cause irritation or allergic reactions, especially since the eye area is delicate. Most DIY remedies are also not tested for their long-term effects. It’s important to be careful when trying home remedies for thick eyelashes, and those with sensitive eyes or certain medical conditions must practise extra caution.
To achieve longer and fuller lashes safely, the best home remedy for eyelash growth is eyelash growth serums.
The Best Home Remedy for Eyelash Growth
The best remedy for eyelash growth is using a tried and tested eyelash growth serum. Lash serums protect, nourish, and strengthen the eyelashes, aiding in thicker growth. It contains ingredients that condition and elongates the lash strands, helping you achieve that longer and fluttery effect.
However, not all eyelash serums for thicker lashes are created equal. There are lash serums that contain harmful ingredients that are too harsh, especially for delicate eyes. These can cause severe side effects such as eye redness and irritation, swelling and drooping eyelids, and more.
You want to achieve longer and more beautiful lashes, not worse lash problems. Stick to an eyelash growth serum that’s formulated for sensitive eyes. With naturally-derived, science-backed active ingredients, you can strengthen, nourish, and repair your lashes with no risk of inflammation or infection.
Takeaway
While you might be tempted to try home remedies to get longer and thicker eyelashes, these DIY methods are unproven and might not be safe or effective. They can also cause harm to your eyes and you might end up with bigger problems. Be careful and consult a healthcare professional first so you can get recommendations on safe and effective options for lash growth.
You can also opt for a safe and effective eyelash growth serum. With peptides, vitamins, and antioxidants, it helps stimulate and condition your lashes so they can be longer, thicker, and fuller in just 4 to 8 weeks.
