How to Care for Your Eyelashes

Having alluring eyelashes is a dream for many women, but for some, this dream can feel almost impossible to achieve. If you’re struggling to nurture your lashes, try these simple tips to make them healthier and stronger.

Using Mineral Oil (Vaseline). Use a clean finger or a cotton pad to gently apply a thin layer of mineral oil to your upper lashes. You can apply it during the day or before bedtime and leave it on overnight if you prefer.

• The mineral oil coats each lash, protecting them from drying agents and harmful elements in the air. This helps to keep the lashes moisturized, promoting stronger and healthier growth.

Apply nourishing oil to your eyelashes. There are various types of nourishing oils often recommended for eyelash care, but they all serve the same purpose: to create a protective layer over each eyelash, preventing dryness or harmful elements from the air. Oil is a natural conditioner for lashes.

• Olive oil, vitamin E oil, castor oil, and emu oil are top recommendations due to their beneficial nutrients.
• Be cautious when using a cotton swab to apply a small amount of oil along your upper lash line. If you wish to apply oil at night, allow it to dry slightly before going to sleep.

Mix egg white concoction. Egg whites are rich in protein, and some people even use them as a natural hair treatment. Similarly, you can apply egg white to your eyelashes to strengthen them.

• Mix egg white and castor oil in equal proportions.
• Use an eyelash brush or cotton pad to apply about 2 drops of this mixture to your upper lashes.
• Do not apply pure egg white to your lashes without mixing it with castor oil, as pure egg white may cause lashes to become brittle.

Consider using lash growth serums or commercial lash treatments. These products can help your lashes grow longer and stronger in just a few weeks when applied daily.

• The specific ingredients in these products vary by brand, but they often contain peptides, vitamins, and aloe vera or other nutrients that promote longer, healthier lashes.

Adopt a suitable diet. A balanced diet supports your overall health, including eyelash growth. To enhance lash growth, focus on consuming more B vitamins, especially biotin. Some nutritionists suggest that B vitamins can stimulate both hair and lash growth.

• There is some evidence that a lack of biotin is one of the causes of premature lash loss.
• Biotin can be found in natural foods like nutritional yeast, liver, broccoli, salmon, bananas, carrots, egg yolks, sardines, beans, and mushrooms.
• Additionally, you should include silica in your diet to stimulate hair and lash growth. Silica is found in foods like asparagus, cabbage, cucumbers, olives, peas, beer, rice, and oats.

Apply lash primer when necessary. While many regular mascaras can make your lashes look fantastic, they can gradually damage them over time. A lash primer is applied underneath to protect your lashes from the strong chemicals in mascara and eyeliner.

• Look for a lash primer that contains pro-keratin. This ingredient can help shield and nourish each lash as you apply it.

Be cautious with mascara products and their application. The general rule for applying mascara and protecting your lashes is that less is more. The less mascara you apply, the stronger and faster your lashes will grow. However, when you do decide to apply some mascara, consider choosing higher-quality products.

• If you have sensitive eyes, consider using a hypoallergenic mascara to minimize irritation. Your lashes are more likely to fall out if your eyes become inflamed.
• Avoid waterproof mascara. Its formula is very strong, and the ingredients that help it stick to your lashes may damage and weaken them. Instead, try a nourishing mascara that can protect and hydrate your lashes.
• Always remove eye makeup before bed. It is essential to cleanse all makeup off to prevent further damage to your lashes.
• Remove clumpy mascara while it is still wet, rather than waiting until it dries. This makes it much easier to remove. Lashes may shed a few hairs if you try to remove dried mascara.
• Dispose of your mascara after 3-6 months to prevent eye infections. Also, throw it away if you’ve had an eye infection, such as pink eye.
• Never share mascara with others. Everyone has a unique bacterial balance around their eyes, and sharing mascara – even with someone who has clean eyes – can introduce harmful bacteria that may lead to infections.

Avoid pulling or tugging at your lashes. Most people don't intentionally pull out their lashes, but you might do so unknowingly. The base of the lashes is especially fragile; they can break or fall out even without strong force.

• Be careful not to pull on your lashes with your fingers or eyelash curler. Additionally, avoid rubbing your eyes.
• When removing eye makeup, gently dab your eyelids instead of rubbing or pulling at them.
• When using an eyelash curler, position it near the base of your lashes. Press down straight in this area, then gently open the curler. Avoid twisting, pulling, or moving the curler around.

Brush your lashes. Use a dedicated lash comb to gently brush your lashes every day. Just as brushing your hair stimulates the follicles on your scalp and improves blood circulation, gently brushing your lashes can help stimulate their growth.

• Ensure you don’t pull on your lashes while brushing to avoid causing further damage.

Massage your eyelids. Massaging your eyelids can stimulate the hair follicles along your lash line, encouraging them to become more active and improving the chances of your lashes growing stronger and faster. Another benefit of massaging is boosting blood circulation.

• Gently massage the area along your lash line and eyelids with small circular motions. Use your pinky finger to avoid accidentally applying too much pressure on your eyes.
• For best results, massage for about 5-10 minutes each day.

Use a nourishing or lengthening mascara. As mentioned earlier, mascara can give you longer, thicker lashes, but some types of mascara can actually cause harm. The best type of mascara is a nourishing one, while a lengthening mascara is most effective when you need instant lash lengthening.

• Nourishing mascaras contain special lipid complexes that help strengthen your lashes as they coat them. You are less likely to damage your lashes with these, but remember to wash them off gently to avoid harming your lashes.
• Lengthening and thickening mascaras can give you more dramatic lashes, but if they lack nourishing ingredients, they can damage your lashes if used excessively or too frequently.

Use a lash-enhancing eyeliner pencil. While eyeliners don't adhere to your lashes as much as mascara, they still come into contact with the base of your lashes and can either positively or negatively affect new lash growth.

• Lash-enhancing liquid eyeliners are applied directly along the lash line. The peptides in these products help strengthen the lashes from the root.

Try using a lash lacquer. Lash lacquers are formulated to make your lashes appear thicker and shinier without clumping. If your lashes look dull, you can apply a bit of lacquer over your regular mascara for added impact.

• While lacquers aren't as damaging as regular mascara, they can still have negative effects if overused. For best results, apply lacquer over nourishing mascara or a lash primer.

Try an instant lash lengthening mascara. These products contain tiny synthetic fibers that help extend your lashes. When applied to your real lashes, the fibers stick to the tips, creating longer and thicker lashes.

• Some lengthening mascaras also contain hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, which help nourish and beautify your lashes.
• However, be cautious and only apply this product to the tips of your lashes. Applying it too close to the base can cause irritation, as the synthetic fibers may shed and get into your eyes.

Eyebrow Extensions. Many beauty salons offer eyelash extension services. Synthetic lashes are attached to natural lashes with adhesive, providing a fuller look.

• The extension process may take several hours, but the results can last for weeks.
• You will also need to spend about 30 minutes to touch up the extensions every 2-3 weeks to maintain a beautiful lash line.
• It is recommended to sleep on your back to avoid accidentally pulling out any extensions.
• One downside of eyelash extensions is that some individuals may experience faster lash loss, which could lead to thinning lashes over time.
• Another drawback is the cost. In the U.S., this service typically starts at around 300 USD.

Consider the pros and cons of fake eyelashes. Fake lashes can give you long, beautiful lashes, but they need to be replaced daily and can cause long-term damage to your natural lashes if used frequently.

• The most damaging part is removing the fake lashes. When you peel them off, you might unintentionally pull out some of your natural lashes. The more often you replace them, the more likely it is to cause harm over time.

Prescribe Bimatoprost. Since September 2013, Bimatoprost has been the only FDA-approved prescription treatment for abnormal eyelash loss, particularly for cases of sparse lashes.

• The medication is applied to the upper lash line to stimulate longer, thicker, and darker lashes, but should not be applied to the lower lash line.
• Generally, your doctor will instruct you to apply the medication daily for two months or longer.
• Possible side effects include itching or redness of the eyes, dry eyes, darkening of the eyelid skin, increased pigmentation in the iris, and lash growth around the eyes if the medication continuously drips onto the surrounding skin.

Consult a doctor about potential underlying causes of eyelash loss. Various medical conditions and disorders can contribute to eyelash loss. If you have one of these conditions, the only way to achieve long-lasting eyelash growth is to treat the underlying issue.

• Conditions like blepharitis, hypothyroidism, autoimmune diseases, blepharitis, and trichotillomania can all lead to lash loss.
• Your doctor might suggest a special cleaning regimen to treat eye inflammation and infection. In case of an infection, antibiotics may be required.
• Hypothyroidism may need treatment with thyroid hormone supplements.
• Trichotillomania is a mental disorder that causes the compulsive urge to pull out hair. Treatment may involve cognitive-behavioral therapy and mood-stabilizing medication.
• Autoimmune conditions are typically treated with immunosuppressive drugs.

• Pressed cake mascara is easy to remove, doesn't clump, and lasts for a long time. This product can serve as a replacement for waterproof mascara for those trying to nourish their lashes.

• Cotton pads
• Petroleum jelly
• Olive oil, vitamin E, or cosmetic oils
• Egg whites
• Lash brush
• Lash conditioning or growth-stimulating products
• Lash primer
• Lash nourishing mascara
• Lash growth serum eyeliner
• Lengthening mascara
• Bimatoprost