Most people would happily jump to get longer, fuller lashes. Thankfully, there are eyelash serums that are volumizing and can promote growth. Some are just eyelash conditioners, but others are eyelash serums that can actually help regrow your lashes. What are the causes of thin, short eyelashes? What are the best ingredients to look for in an eyelash serum?
What causes thin eyelashes?
Improper or excessive grooming, certain hormones, and medications, aging, autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata, lupus, hypothyroidism, vitamin deficiencies, infections, and genetic tendencies are the causes of thin, damaged eyelashes.
What is the most common cause of eyelashes?
The most common cause of thin and sparse eyelashes is over-grooming and rubbing. Our eyelashes are very delicate and sensitive. Rubbing your eyes too hard or too often and not removing eye makeup in the evening can also cause them to fall out.
What are prostaglandin-based eyelash serums?
Eyelash growth enhancement has been reported to be a side effect of a special kind of prostaglandin-analog drops used to treat glaucoma. As a result, eyelash growth-enhancing serums have been developed using prostaglandin-analog key ingredients.
Examples of this kind of eyelash serum are Latisse (bimatoprost 0.03%), a prescription-based eyelash serum-containing prostaglandin analogs (hormone-like compounds). Revitalash is a non-prescription eyelash serum that includes a similar type of prostaglandin analog (Dechloro Dihydroxy Difluoro Ethylcloprostenolamide -DDDE).
Unfortunately, the use of this kind of serum is associated with many side effects, including darkening of eye color, irritation, redness, inflammation, and itchiness. In addition to itchy, swollen eyes, prostaglandin analogs might also darken the upper eyelid and the skin surrounding the eye.
What is the best hormone-free eyelash serum?
If you are looking for a safe, effective, and hormone-free option to help regrow your eyelashes - look for a product with Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 on its label. Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 is a large molecule that combines a chain of 5 (Penta) amino acids and myristic acid, an oil-soluble fatty acid.
Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16 combines a chain of 6 (Hexa) amino acids and myristic acid. Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 and Myristoyl Hexapeptide were proven to stimulate the production of hexapeptide in hair, skin, and nails. Myristic acid increases the absorption of the peptides through the upper layer of skin and into the hair follicles—the production of a larger quantity of high-quality keratin results in thicker, denser, healthier eyelashes. In clinical studies, the combination of Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 and Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16 in eyelash products visibly increased eyelash length after two weeks.
MDhair's Advanced Eyelash Serum
The key ingredients of MDhair's Advanced Eyelash Serum are two peptides. Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 and Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16. These chains of amino acids were proven to stimulate keratin production in hair follicles. Increased keratin production promotes the regrowth of denser, healthier eyelashes.
Other active ingredients are Pterocarpus Marsupium, an anti-aging ingredient extracted from the Indian Kino Tree, and pumpkin seed oil, packed with zinc, selenium, copper, magnesium, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and B. The serum also contains hyaluronic acid that helps with dry, brittle, or damaged lashes and biotin and vitamin E that are believed to strengthen hair follicles, improve scalp circulation and increase the eyelash hair density. Designed for daily use, Advanced Eyelash Serum is hormone-free, sulfate-free, vegan, and color-safe.
What are the key ingredients of MDhair's Advanced Eyelash Serum?
1. Myristoyl pentapeptide-17
Myristoyl pentapeptide-17 is a fatty acid combined with a chain of 5 different peptides (Penta). Myristoyl pentapeptide-17 is one of the best active ingredients used in eyelash growth serums. This peptide has been shown to boost keratin production (the protein that makes up hair) and lengthen the hair growth cycle. This results in thicker, longer lashes.
2. Myristoyl Hexapeptide -16
Another effective peptide used in eyelash growth serums is hexapeptide. Like myristoyl pentapeptide-17, Myristoyl Hexapeptide -16 stimulates keratin production to achieve longer and fuller lashes.
3. Apple fruit stem cell extract
Plant stem cells are cells that can develop into different types of cells. The extracts from these cells are commonly used in skincare and beauty products. These extracts contain potent components that can, among many other benefits, stimulate hair follicles on the lash line to elongate the growing cycle and promote new growth.
4. Pumpkin seed extract
The pumpkin seed extract is rich in various components that boost hair and skin health, including essential fatty acids, zinc, iron, amino acids, phytosterols, and B vitamins (including vitamin B5 or panthenol). This extract helps improve the look of your natural lashes by encouraging growth and strengthening the lashes. Additionally, pumpkin seed extract is a great lash enhancer because it conditions and nourishes the lashes.
5. Pterocarpus marsupium bark extract
Pterocarpus marsupium bark extract comes from the kino tree in India. The botanical extract is commonly used in lash and brow serums, as it promotes growth by nourishing and strengthening the hair. Its natural anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects helped balance eyelash skin microflora, reducing redness and irritation.
6. Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid can attract moisture 1000X of its weight. This makes hyaluronic acid incredibly effective at hydrating and plumping. When hyaluronic acid is used as an active ingredient in eyelash serums, it helps hydrate and strengthen the hair follicles to prevent breakage and achieve thicker lashes.
7. Vitamin E
Many of the best eyelash growth serums contain vitamin E. The antioxidant power of this vitamin helps reduce oxidative stress that can damage the hair follicle and hinder your attempt to get full, long lashes. On top of that, vitamin E is an effective lash conditioner. Vitamin E is often labeled as "tocopherol" in beauty products. You might also want to keep an eye out for castor oil, a common active ingredient in hair growth serums rich in vitamin E.
8. Biotin
Biotin (also known as vitamin B7) is commonly recommended to take as a supplement to boost hair growth, but it can also be used as an active ingredient in topical products. This B vitamin can help strengthen to reduce breakage while also promoting growth.
Eyelash Serum: Key Dos and Don'ts for Best Results
Do's:
- Start with a completely clean, dry face.
- Apply a single stroke to each eyelid, following your upper lash line, similar to applying liquid eyeliner.
- Use one dip into the bottle and apply one single stroke for both upper lash lines.
- Wipe off any excess serum on the edge of the bottle before application.
- Allow 2-3 minutes for the serum to dry completely before lying down or applying other skincare products.
- Apply once per day for the first three months, then switch to every other day after achieving your desired results.
Don'ts:
- Don't apply the serum over makeup, other skincare products, or to wet skin.
- Don't apply the serum directly onto your lashes, the lower lash line, or near the inner tear duct area.
- Don't use more than one dip into the bottle or apply multiple strokes of the serum to the same lash line.
- Don't allow the serum to drip into your eyes or use excessive amounts.
- Don't rub your eyes, lie down, or apply other products before the serum has fully dried.
- Don't apply the serum more than once per day or continue using it if you experience redness or irritation.
Best eyelash care tips according to dermatologists
1. Use a Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, hormone-free eyelash serum
The use of prostaglandins (hormone-like eyelash regrowth serums) can be associated with some significant side effects. For a better and safer choice, look for a hormone-free eyelash serum that contains myristoyl pentapeptide-17 and Myristoyl Hexapeptide -16. This peptide combination was proven to help maintain the health of your eyelashes and support the regrowth of longer and thicker eyelashes
2. Avoid eyelash extensions and false lashes
While cosmetically appealing, lash extensions can do more long-term harm than good when it comes to your real lashes. They may damage your lashes, and once you decide to go without them, you may ultimately need to put in more effort to regrow your lashes.
You also need to be cautious with more temporary falsies. If you decide to wear them, you need to be extremely gentle when taking them off to avoid breakage (especially if you have more sensitive skin). Additionally, if you use an eyelash curler, you'll want to use as light of a touch as possible to avoid damage (or ditch the tool altogether).
3. Use an effective eyelash hair care serum
For the best long-term results, stick with an effective eyelash serum to allow your natural lashes to shine!
4. Always take off your eye make-up at night
If you wear mascara, eyeliner, or any other makeup around your eyes, you should remove it every night. This is especially true if you're using an eyelash serum, as you'll want to apply it to a clean canvas so that it can deliver the best results possible.
Eye makeup (particularly mascara) can dry out your lashes when left on overnight and cause them to weaken. More alarmingly, consistently sleeping with eye makeup on can cause permanent damage to your eyes.
Use a make-up remover explicitly formulated for the eyes, and be gentle around the eye area when taking off your make-up so that you aren't pulling your lashes. While you might be tired at the end of the day, this simple step will work to keep your lashes in the best shape possible.
5. Be consistent with your eyelash serum
Consistency is key if you want to get the best results from your eyelash serum. You won't see significant improvement if you just apply the serum every once in a while when you happen to think of it. Make the serum a part of your routine by reaching for that applicator nightly, and you'll get your money's worth with your product.
Is mascara damaging your lashes?
Wearing mascara every day is not a good idea. Mascara dries the eyelashes and makes them very brittle, causing the lash line to be thinner. Using mascara every day can also increase the risk of bacterial infection of the eyelids and dry irradiated eyes.
Some mascaras contain ingredients that coat the eyes' surface and disrupt the tear film. If used every day, the mascara can disrupt this thin film; the tears will evaporate more quickly, causing dry, irritated, red eyelids. (aka blepharitis).
What are the most common mascara mistakes?
- Never leave the mascara overnight. Leaving the mascara overnight will increase the risk of infection.
- Do not use the same mascara tube for more than three months. One study found that 30 percent of mascara bottles were contaminated with bacteria after just three months of use. If you use the same tube for more than three months, mascara can be contaminated by bacteria and cause eyelash infection and inflammation. These infections can damage the eyelash follicles, leading to less dense eyelashes.
- Do not add water or saliva to thin the mascara, and never share your mascara. Demodex mites live in many people's eyelash follicles and can be transferred by sharing mascara.
- Try to avoid waterproof mascara. These types of mascara require the use of oil-based eye makeup removers, which can also disrupt your tear film and cause dry, irritated eyes.
- Use a high-quality eyelash serum. An excellent way to prevent the damage caused by mascara is with a high-quality eyelash serum. A new type of eyelash serum protects the eyelash hair follicles, provides them with the micronutrients essential for building new eyelashes, and helps grow longer and thicker eyelashes. For optimal results, look for hormone-free eyelash serum that is sulfate-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and contains Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17. This active peptide is made of a chain of amino acids proven to stimulate the hair follicles to produce more keratin and promote the regrowth of longer, thicker eyelashes.
FAQs:
Where should I apply for Advanced Eyelash Serum?
MDhair Advanced Eyelash Serum should be applied to your eyelid, along your upper lash lines only. Do not apply it to your bottom lash line, your lashes themselves, in the eye, in the inner tear duct area, or anywhere else.
Can I use MDhair's Advanced Eyelash Serum on the lower lash line?
We do not recommend that because the product can easily get into the eye and cause irritation.
Can I use MDhair's Advanced Eyelash Serum with eyelash extensions or falsies?
Yes, MDhair Advanced Eyelash Serum is water-based, so it's compatible for use with lash extensions and falsies.
Will MDhair's Advanced Eyelash Serum work faster if I use it more than once per day?
While it might be tempting, using more MDhair Advanced Eyelash Serum than directed or applying it more frequently will not yield quicker or better results! Apply MDhair Advanced Eyelash Serum once a day, using one dip into the bottle for both lash lines. With consistent daily use, your lashes will appear longer and thicker looking. If you’re not totally satisfied, we have a no-hassle, 90-day return policy.
What should I do if MDhair's Advanced Eyelash Serum gets into my eye?
If MDhair Advanced Eyelash Serum accidentally gets into your eye, simply flush it with cool water until it is completely removed.
Will my eyelashes return to their original appearance if I discontinue the use of the product?
Just like hair, your lashes have a natural cycle, including natural shedding. We actually lose an average of 1-2 lashes per day! MDhair Advanced Eyelash Serum requires continued use to maintain its benefits. After completing the initial 3 months, use it every other day to maintain your fabulous-looking lashes.
Best hormone-free eyelash serum
References:
- An Open-label, Single-center, Safety, and Efficacy Study of Eyelash Polygrowth Factor Serum
- Plant stem cell extract for the longevity of skin and hair
- Hyaluronic Acid: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Trajectory
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