eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Stimulate Eyelash Growth

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(5 Ratings)

Consumers spend millions of dollars each year on products that temporarily color, lengthen and thicken the eyelashes. But are there legitimate ways to stimulate eyelash growth? Take a look at these tips to find out which products work.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Petroleum jelly
  1. Step 1

    Look for an ingredient called prostaglandin in products that claim to stimulate eyelash growth. Prostaglandin has been shown in legitimate clinical studies to stimulate eyelash growth. Reportedly it really does make lashes stronger, longer, thicker and darker and is applied much in the same way as eyeliner. However, the FDA says prostaglandin is used to treat glaucoma and warns the side effects include burning, itching and even change of eye color. Products containing prostaglandin seem to be on and off the market at the FDA's discretion and are known to be upwards of $150 or more a tube.

  2. Step 2

    Handle eyelashes with care. Curling lashes, wearing false eyelashes and pulling at lashes does cause them to break and/or fall out. If you are concerned about having thicker lashes, be very gentle with them. Take a break from curling them on a daily basis, bypass the false eyelash glue and break the lash pulling habit.

  3. Step 3

    Gently rub petroleum jelly on your eyelashes. While there is no real evidence to support the claim that petroleum jelly stimulates eyelash growth, it may moisturize and condition them, thereby causing them to appear healthier.

  4. Step 4

    Wait 7 to 8 weeks. Eyelashes do grow back. When you lose an eyelash, it will take 7 to 8 weeks to grow a new eyelash in its place. If all else fails, wait on your body to perform its restorative magic.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you have an overwhelming urge to pull out your eyelashes (or other hair on your body) you may suffer from Trichotillomania which is a disorder that compels a person to pull out scalp hair, eyelashes, etc. Visit with your doctor if you are concerned you may have Trichotillomania.
  • Most products on the market that claim to stimulate eyelash growth do not work. Seek out reviews for a product before purchasing.
Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Fashion, Style & Personal Care Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. † requires javascript

eHow Fashion, Style and Personal Care
eHow_eHow Fashion, Style and Personal Care