Eyelash problems can occur for several reasons, including:

• Irritating or drying makeup ingredients.

• Excessive or unskilled makeup applications.

• Makeup allergies.

• Forceful use of eyelash curlers.

• Rough makeup or false eyelash removal techniques.

• Makeup can irritate and damage the eyelash follicles, leading to excessive eyelash loss.

Some health conditions can also result in poor eyelash health, including:

• Blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelid margins.

• Alopecia.

• Thyroid conditions.

• Eczema.

• Prescription medications.

• Excessive stress.⁵

The only proven remedy to lengthen your eyelashes is to carefully use medication.

Bimatoprost (generic Latisse) is the only medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that makes eyelashes grow longer and thicker.⁶

There are many reasons people can lose more lashes than average.

• Irritation from cosmetics. Leaving eye makeup on for too long, using and removing lash extensions, and using eyelash curlers (heated or nonheated) can harm lashes and speed up shedding. Eyelash loss can also stem from allergies to mascara and from glue used to apply eyelash extensions.

• Blepharitis. Itchiness or burning accompanied by redness or swelling of the lids may indicate blepharitis. This is a condition that happens when clogged oil glands near the base of the eyelashes cause chronic inflammation and problems in the eyelash follicles.⁷

Less common causes for overall hair loss include several health conditions, including a variety of skin diseases, endocrine disorders, chronic inflammatory disease and metabolic abnormalities.⁸

Like the hair on the rest of your body, your eyelashes can fall out. Thankfully, they also grow back. It takes a couple of months for lashes to grow back under normal circumstances. However, your lashes don’t typically all fall out at once, so you won’t notice that they’re in the process of growing back.⁹

Sadly, this is a myth. Crying does not make eyelashes grow, but they may appear darker or straighter as tears lubricate the lashes.¹⁰

Extensions can add volume and length to your eyelashes, but the procedure does come with risks, namely: trauma to or infection of the eyelid or cornea, allergic reaction to the glue, and permanent or temporary loss of eyelashes. In addition, infection can come from inadequate hygiene in the shop or damage to the eye during application.¹¹

When it comes to false eyelashes, strips of false lashes may be applied directly to the base of the natural lashes or individually on the natural lashes themselves. The safety of the procedure is more dependent on the method of adherence of lashes and components of the adhesive glue, tape and remover used.¹²

1. American Academy of Ophthalmology

2. American Academy of Ophthalmology

3. National Institutes of Health

4. Psychology Today

5. Healthline.com

6. Healthline.com

7. American Academy of Ophthalmology

8. National Institutes of Health

9. Verywell Health

10. Women.com

11. American Academy of Ophthalmology

12. Baylor College of Medicine

There are several prescription and nonprescription eyelash growth treatment options available. Bimatoprost, the active ingredient in Latisse, is currently the only FDA-approved prescription eyelash serum available.

However, there are a variety of over-the-counter eyelash serums that can be considered as an alternative to Latisse. Compare top eyelash serum brands and see how they measure up to Latisse.

There is a long list of eyelash home remedies. However, none of these remedies are scientifically proven and, in some cases, they could even damage your eyes.¹³

Some common home remedies not scientifically proven to lengthen eyelashes include:

• Petroleum jelly: At least three days a week apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the eyelashes before bed; wash it off in the morning.

• Green tea: Apply cool, unsweetened green tea to the eyelashes with a cotton ball daily.

• Olive oil, with or without lemon: Apply a small amount of olive oil with or without lemon peel infused in it on the eyelashes at night before bed; wash it off in the morning.

• Castor oil: Apply a small amount of castor oil on the eyelashes each night before bed; wash it off in the morning.

• Aloe vera: Apply a small amount of aloe vera gel on the eyelashes before bed; wash it off in the morning.

• Eyelid massage: Gently massage eyelids along the lash line.¹⁴

Many products on the market claim to give people longer, more beautiful lashes. But there are only a few proven ways to encourage eyelash growth.¹⁵

Latisse (bimatoprost) is a research-backed, FDA-approved treatment. It promotes the growth of longer, thicker and darker lashes by increasing the number of eyelash hairs that grow and the amount of time that they grow.¹⁶ One study showed that after 16 weeks of treatment, subjects using bimatoprost had lashes that were 106% thicker, 25% longer and 18% darker.¹⁷

Topical bimatoprost (generic Latisse) comes as a liquid solution to apply to the upper eyelids (not the lower eyelid) usually once a day in the evening.¹⁸ Learn more about how to apply generic Latisse.

Once you begin using bimatoprost (generic Latisse), you must continue using it regularly to maintain the results. Otherwise, your eyelashes will return to their previous condition.¹⁹

Telehealth providers, like RedBox Rx, allow you to connect with a licensed provider of dermatological services anywhere you have an internet connection. If prescribed, we can ship prescription eyelash growth serum to all 50 U.S. states. Start a free online consult now.

13. Healthline.com

14. Healthline.com

15. Verywell Health

16. National Library of Medicine

17. National Institutes of Health

18. National Library of Medicine

19. Healthline.com

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