Longer, full and fluttery lashes are one of those desirable features a girl would love to naturally have. Unfortunately, the majority of us have thin lashes, and that is why there is such a market for products like false eyelashes, 3D mascaras, and eyelash extensions. With the high maintenance and cost of lash extensions, many have looked into more cost-effective alternatives. Now, there has been an influx of eyelash serums in stores that promise to promote hair growth and strengthen your eyelashes for longer and fuller lashes. It all sounds too good to be true, and you're wondering if they work.

Understanding Eyelash Hair Growth Cycle

Eyelashes have a life cycle consisting of three phases. The eyelash growth (anagen phase), transition (catagen), and resting (telogen) stages. The growth phase in healthy fair follicles lasts from four to ten weeks, with a growth rate of 0.12 - 0.14 mm a day. The transition period lasts about three to four months. The last part of the cycle is the shedding phase. During that time, new hair is growing from the hair follicle resulting in the eyelashes shedding. The complete life cycle of eyelashes is from four to eleven months.

How Do Lash Serums Work?

In actuality, many eyelash growth serums on the market do not stimulate lash growth. They are formulated with ingredients such as biotin, panthenol, peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid which strengthen lashes to prolong the eyelash life cycle. These ingredients acts as a conditioning serum to improve the overall health of existing lashes to prevent brittle lashes from breakage, plump lashes, and stimulate healthy hair follicles for fuller and thicker eyelashes.

There is one eyelash serum proven to make natural lashes grow. Latisse is a prescription product approved by the FDA that extends the anagen growth phase and is effective. It contains the ingredient bimatoprost, which started in glaucoma medicine to treat eye pressure. Patients began to notice the side effect of their eyelashes growing longer with a thicker appearance. Latisse is only available with a doctor's prescription.

Are Lash Growth Serums Safe?

Since most over-the-counter drugstore lash serum are a conditioning serum, they are generally safe to use. Keep in mind that because they are applied close to the lash line, caution is necessary to avoid getting them into the eye, causing clogged glands. There is also the possibility of bacterial conjunctivitis if the product becomes contaminated with bacteria. As for Latisse, a prescription product that does make your eyelash grow, users may experience itchy, red eyes, darkening of eyelids, reduced eye pressure, or darkening of iris pigmentation.

The Best Lash Growth Serums

With many different brands of lash serum on the market, we've narrowed down a few eyelash enhancing serum that will deliver healthier looking lashes.

Grande Cosmetics Grandelash MD - A lash-enhancing serum promising longer, fuller, thicker, and voluminous lashes in 4 to 8 weeks. This formula is proven safe to give the appearance of longer lashes or fuller eyebrows.

Revitalash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner - Alash conditioner that enhances the look of lashes and protects against breakage.

NeuLASH Lash Enhancing Serum - A professional strength, advanced lash serum revitalizes lashes for a camera-ready, professional result. The combination of five active Bioengineered and active conditioning ingredients helps improve shiny, luxurious, more extended, fuller-looking lashes. 

Conclusion

Lash serums do not actually stimulate new eyelash growth to make them grow longer, but instead promote healthy lashes to prevent brittleness and breakage and premature shedding for fuller and longer-looking lashes.