Imagine your eyelashes have grown so long and thick that you have thrown out your mascara tube. Clumps, raccoon eyes, and messy mascara remover are no longer an issue. Does this sound like a fantastical scenario? It is not a fantasy anymore. There are items which can help you get long, luxurious lashes without the use of mascara. But wait till you read all about these eyelash serums before throwing out your mascara and investing in miracle eyelash growth. Patients with Hypotrichosis, or thin, insufficient eyelashes, have been proven to benefit from eyelash growers. They are also popular among people who want to enhance their natural lashes. These items can give you long, thick lashes without the need for mascara.
What is lash serum and how does it work?
Many of these lash “serums” are actually lash conditioners with chemicals which assist restore moisture and prevent damage caused by mascara (or even other factors like the weather). Amino acids and collagen (proteins), peptides (short sequences of amino acids), and prostaglandins (naturally occurring substances in the body) are all constituents in over-the-counter lash serums that may help eyelashes grow. Click on the link to learn more about eyelash serums and how they work.
There are a plethora of options available; some work, while others do not. Many of them are merely eyelash conditioners which assist keep your lashes from falling out or breaking. Several products claim to make lashes grow, but only one eyelash serum, which contains bimatoprost, a medicine normally used to treat glaucoma, is the only eyelash serum approved by the FDA so far.
Serums: Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter
There is only one FDA-approved lash growth serum. Aside from the fact that you will need a doctor’s prescription, the formula is developed from a glaucoma medicine which has been shown to increase the length and thickness of lashes.
OTC serums, on the other hand, are more of a conditioning and healing therapy for lashes. Antioxidants and peptides such as apple stem extract, biotin, and castor oil are usually included in these preparations. While these serums might make lashes appear thicker, it is vital to keep in mind that they won’t actually grow more lashes.
Many eyelash serums are considered to be effective and safe. However, if you have used over-the-counter eyelash growth products and are considering seeking a prescription from your doctor, be sure you are aware of the risks:
- Unwanted hair growth in regions where the product is used often
- Red, itchy eyes
- Darkening of the upper and lower eyelids
- Decreasing ocular pressure, which may hide the presence of glaucoma
- Permanently enhanced iris pigmentation, which could make your light eyes brown in an irreversible way, especially if your irises are hazel or green.
Once you stop using the lash-growth serums, most of the symptoms will fade over time, and your eyelashes will revert to their previous appearance. But, before you grab for your checkbook, keep in mind that eyelash growth products are not usually inexpensive.
If you are considering using an eyelash growth serum, here is what you should know:
- If you are already being treated for glaucoma, talk to your doctor. Bimatoprost’s negative effects may be exacerbated by the medications you are taking.
- If you have conjunctivitis, macular edema, or uveitis, you should avoid using it.
- Do not use the same applicator twice. Also, do not let the bottle’s tip come into contact with your eyeball or any other surface, such as a counter or sink. click
- Before you use it, take out your contact lenses and wait 15 minutes before putting them back in. They have the ability to absorb the solution.
