How to regrow lashes and brows
How to regrow lashes and brows Overview Why is it that men in general have more beautiful lashes and brows than women? For starters, they likely are not using chemical-laden mascara or over tweezing their brows based on the latest beauty trend. While there are many medical circumstances that cause lashes and brows to fall out, this article will focus on the non-medical or cosmetic reasons, that you can identify without a professional diagnosis. And since we are talking about lash and brow regrowth, this article does not cover options like lash extensions or microblading. Lashes Let’s begin with lash regrowth. If you can determine that your lack luster lashes are because of harsh chemicals in makeup or cleansers, then lash growth serums could be a good option for you to regrow your lashes. I was one of the first on the band wagon for Latisse eyelash growth serum because my husband would tease me that I had short “stubbies” for lash length while he had long, gorgeous lashes. I had grown annoyed with this common occurrence and considered eyelash extensions and microblading, but I wanted more natural, healthier looking lashes that was lower maintenance. Side effects I had great results lengthening lashes with Latisse lash serum, but there are some definite cons/side effects to this product – some even painful symptoms, that should be considered with any lash serums: Eye irritation – eyes and rims were red Eyelid hyperpigmentation – eye lids turned dark brown Eyelash itching and irritation Dry eyes* Orbital fat loss *Dry eye patients should check with their physician prior to using a lash and brow serum. And these were just the side effects I experienced. There are many other side effects, including eye color changing to brown if they are naturally lighter like blue or green. But I’d like to bring your attention back to the orbital fat loss. Some people think this would be great, but when you lose the fat around your eye, your eye sinks in to the eye socket causing you to age drastically. This occurs gradually with extended use, and is caused from an ingredient called prostaglandin analogues. Because it’s a gradual process, you may not even notice it until it’s too late, or attribute the results of sunken eyes to aging. With continued use of products with prostaglandin, the side effects like orbital fat loss could become irreversible. If you catch it early enough, it could be reversible – with the exception of eye color change. Once your eyes change color, it’s irreversible. Because I liked having lush lashes but wasn’t willing to risk those trade offs, I needed to find a solution that didn’t have prostaglandin in the ingredient deck, but still provided results that made my lashes fuller. I’ll be honest with you, most of the lash growth products have this ingredient. For best results The key to great results is consistency. Using an eyelash growth serum daily will provide optimal results within approximately 3 months. How to use First, make sure your eyes are clean and dry, free of any oils or makeup. Most of the products nowadays come with an applicator within the tube. The best applicators for eyelash growth serum are fine bristle brushes for exact placement of the product. For longer lashes, apply a thin layer of lash serum along the upper lash line, being careful not to get it in your eye. There is no need to apply to the lower lash lines, just close your eyes for a few seconds before the lash serum dries, and it will spread to the lower lash. Allow to dry completely before applying any additional products or makeup to the eye area. I prefer to apply eyelash serum at night to allow it to work while I sleep, but be careful not to put too much on because it will actually grow hair on your eyelids and cheeks if it spreads Active ingredients There are some great lash serum solutions available with different active ingredients. The products that have a combination of growth factors and peptides will be the best bet. This is because growth factors on their own are great for obvious reasons, but when combined with certain peptides not only stimulate growth of eyelashes but boost the efficacy of the growth factors. Without the negative side effects! Look for products that have clean ingredients and are safe to use every day. Brows Now let’s talk brow serum. If you want to reshape or regrow over tweezed brows, or maybe like me you want to regrow the sparse brows you suddenly realized you rubbed off in your sleep – brow growth serums are a good solution. *Sometimes brow loss isn’t as noticeable as lash loss and could be a symptom of thyroid issues or menopause, so be sure to talk with your doctor if you have concerns. Eyebrows take longer to regrow or reshape than lashes, on average a year compared to 3 months with lashes. Here are some tips to help manage the regrowth cycle: Do not tweeze! Let them grow in until you start to get the shape you want. This could take a couple months Use a spoolie to stimulate circulation and thicker hair growth Use a brow serum daily Use a brow product like a pencil or powder to help fill in gaps and shape during regrowth phase For best results As with lash serum, consistent use of a brow serum is the key to success. Keep in mind, it takes longer to develop thicker eyebrows than lashes, so be patient with the brow serum you choose. How to use Be sure eyes and brows are clean and dry. The applicator varies quite a bit with a brow serum. Sometimes it’s a thin brush, a sponge applicator, or a bristle brush. *Pro tip: If the applicator isn’t a bristle brush, then use a spoolie