Grow Your Natural Lashes - Growth Tips and Care
There are three main factors that can influence natural growth, believe it or not you can care for your lashes by eating the right foods, using serums and handling them with care.
Nutrition
A well-balanced diet significantly impacts lash health. Consider these essential nutrients:
- Biotin: Also known as vitamin H, biotin supports hair growth, including lashes. You can find it in foods like eggs, nuts, and whole grains.
- Vitamin E: This antioxidant improves blood circulation to the hair follicles, aiding lash growth. Almonds, spinach, and sunflower seeds are excellent sources.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish (such as salmon), flaxseeds, and walnuts, omega-3s contribute to overall hair health.
Lash Growth Serums
Explore lash growth serums containing active ingredients like bimatoprost or peptides. These serums gradually enhance lash length and thickness. Remember to follow the instructions diligently and be patient—it might take a few weeks to notice visible results.
Gentle Care
- Avoid rubbing or pulling, as this can lead to breakage.
- Regularly brush your lashes with a clean spoolie. This helps distribute natural oils and keeps them looking neat.
How Do I Take Care of My Natural Eyelashes?
Cleansing
Use a mild, oil-free cleanser to remove debris from your lashes daily.
Why It Matters: Daily cleansing removes debris, dust, and makeup residue that can accumulate on your lashes. Clean lashes are less prone to breakage and infection.
Makeup Removal
Be gentle when removing eye makeup to avoid tugging on lashes.
Why It Matters: Improper makeup removal can lead to lash damage. Harsh tugging or rubbing can weaken the lashes and cause them to fall out prematurely.
Brushing
Regularly brush your lashes with a clean spoolie to keep them neat.
Why It Matters: Regular brushing keeps your lashes neat, prevents tangling, and distributes natural oils along the lash shaft.
Avoid Heat and Harsh Products
Limit exposure to heat (e.g., curlers) and avoid waterproof mascara or oil-based products.
Why It Matters: Excessive heat and certain products can weaken lashes and hinder their growth.
Professional Removal
If you have lash extensions, seek professional removal to prevent damage. You can take a look at our other blog all about how to clean lash extensions.
Why It Matters: Lash extensions are popular for their dramatic effect, but improper removal can harm your natural lashes.
What Makes Eyelashes Grow?
Are there specific factors that contribute to lash growth? Absolutely! The growth of eyelashes is primarily determined by three key factors.
Firstly, hair follicles. Just like the hair on our scalp, lashes grow from hair follicles located on our eyelids. These follicles are responsible for producing the hair strands that make up our lashes.
Secondly, growth cycles. Each lash goes through a natural growth cycle, which includes the anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting) phases. The length of these phases determines the length of our lashes. During the anagen phase, the lashes are actively growing, while in the catagen phase, the lashes stop growing and the hair follicle shrinks.
Finally, during the telogen phase, the lashes rest and eventually fall out, making way for new ones to grow.Genetics play a significant role in determining the thickness, length, and density of our lashes. Just as genetics can determine the colour of our eyes or hair, they also influence the characteristics of our lashes.
Can Oils Help Lashes Grow?
Do oils promote lash growth? There’s some evidence to suggest that they might.
Castor oil, for instance, is often used to nourish lashes. Some people believe that its rich fatty acid content can help to stimulate growth. To apply it, use a clean wand and gently brush the oil onto your lashes, being careful not to get any in your eyes.
Coconut oil is another popular choice for lash care. It’s thought to provide hydration to the lashes, which can help to prevent breakage. However, it should be used sparingly, as applying too much can weigh down your lashes and make them appear less full.
In conclusion, growing and caring for your natural lashes involves a holistic approach that combines a well-balanced diet, the use of lash growth serums, and gentle care. Essential nutrients like Biotin, Vitamin E, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids found in certain foods can significantly impact lash health. A lot of these essential nutrients can also be supplemented when purchased from a trusted health shop. Lash growth serums containing active ingredients like bimatoprost or peptides can enhance lash length and thickness over time. Gentle care practices, such as avoiding harsh tugging or rubbing, regular brushing, and proper makeup removal, can prevent breakage and promote lash health. Additionally, natural oils like castor and coconut oil may also contribute to lash growth. However, it’s important to remember that everyone’s lashes are different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to test out these methods and see what works best for you.
FAQ
What foods are rich in Biotin, Vitamin E, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
Biotin is found in foods like eggs, nuts, and whole grains. Vitamin E is abundant in almonds, spinach, and sunflower seeds. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are found in fish (such as salmon), flaxseeds, and walnuts.
How do lash growth serums work?
Lash growth serums contain active ingredients like bimatoprost or peptides that stimulate the hair follicles, enhancing lash length and thickness over time.
What are the potential side effects of lash growth serums?
Some people may experience irritation, dryness, or redness around the eyes. It’s always best to test the product on a small area first.
How often should I brush my lashes?
You should brush your lashes daily with a clean spoolie to distribute natural oils and keep them neat.
What is the best way to remove eye makeup without damaging my lashes?
Use a mild, oil-free cleanser and be gentle when removing eye makeup to avoid tugging on lashes.
Why should I avoid heat and harsh products for my lashes?
Excessive heat and certain products can weaken lashes and hinder their growth.
What are the benefits of professional lash extension removal?
Professional removal ensures that your natural lashes are not damaged during the process.
How do hair follicles contribute to lash growth?
Just like the hair on our scalp, lashes grow from hair follicles located on our eyelids. These follicles are responsible for producing the hair strands that make up our lashes.
What are the different phases of the lash growth cycle?
Each lash goes through a natural growth cycle, which includes the anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting) phases.
How do genetics influence the characteristics of our lashes?
Genetics play a significant role in determining the thickness, length, and density of our lashes.
How can oils like castor and coconut oil help in lash growth?
Castor oil is rich in fatty acids that can stimulate growth, while coconut oil provides hydration to prevent breakage.
Are there any alternatives to these oils for lash care?
Yes, other oils like olive oil and almond oil can also be used for lash care.
What should I do if these methods don’t work for me?
If these methods don’t work for you, it might be worth consulting with a dermatologist or a professional in the field for personalised advice.