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Eyelash-growth serum is one of those beauty products that seems too good to be true.
Photo: Felicity Ingram; Wardrobe: Ronald Burton; Hair: Jerome Cultrera at L’Atelier; Makeup: Porsche Cooper; Manicure: Yukie Miyakawa at Walter Schupfer
And youve probably seen the before-and-after pictures of women flauntingluscious lasheson Instagram and Amazon.
But do these serums really work?
And if they do, which is the best eyelash-growth serum out there?
And is it safe to use so close to your preciouseyes?
We talked to the pros to find out.
First, lets review the way eyelashes grow normally.
Just like any of the hairs on the scalp, eyelashes follow a specific growth pattern.
During the anagen stage, the lash is constantly growing.
This phase can last between four and six weeks.
During the catagen phase, eyelashes are at their maximum length and the hair follicles begin to shrink.
This part of the cycle can last from two to three weeks, Lowe says.
The last part of the cycle is the telogen phase.
Its the resting period and can last approximately 100 days before the lash naturally falls out.
Each individual lash undergoes a phase at different times, Lowe says.
On average, replacement of a single lash is anywhere from four to eight months.
Heres how over-the-counter eyelash-growth serumssupposedlywork.
The truth is, most of the eyelash-growth serums you see in stores wont do anything.
Lowe agrees and says that the same is true when it comes to your eyelashes.
There is no compelling evidence that biotin will increase lash growth.
Castor Oil:Youve probably also read about using castor oil as a DIY lash-growth serum.
And it may also prevent breakage, Ko says.
But thats about the end of the benefits.
Most of these act as water binders or moisturizers, says Ko.
But he says there isnt proof that they can actually increase hair growth.
Are eyelash-growth serums safe?
And use the hand on the same side as theeyeyoure working on, so your view isnt obstructed.
Theyll help you find the best eyelash-growth serum for you.
This is the one eyelash-growth serum thats proven to work.
It can extend the anagen growth phase, and it is actually effective.
Patients noticed that one of the side effects from using bimatoprost was longer, thicker eyelashes.
And thats how the cosmetic benefits were discovered.
In fact, it containsthe same active ingredient as Lumigen, an eye-drop medication used to treat glaucoma.
Though effective, it comes with some caveats.
It can take months to notice any results.
And be forewarned: One of the side effects of bimatoprost is discoloration on the eyelids and the iris.
Try these eyelash-growth serumsbut remember that your mileage may vary.
Because over-the-counter beauty and skin-care products arent regulated like drugs, you cant necessarily trust the claims they make.
Here are a few of the best over-the-counter eyelash-growth serums available, based on their conditioning, moisturizing ingredients.
