Eye Doctor Reviews Eye Lash Growth Serums

As someone who spends plenty of time around eyes, one topic that always comes up is eyelashes. Everyone wants long, luscious lashes and now there’s plenty of ways to get them without extensions or falsies! Here’s a little guide to some of the most popular ones people love:

Make sure to test all products for allergy on a small area of your skin 24 hours before applying it to your face!

Allergan - Latisse (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%) is a version of the prostaglandin glaucoma drug Lumigan (bimatoprost 0.01%.) When it was introduced, eye doctors and their glaucoma patients noticed a side effect of the eye drop was eyelash growth and fullness over time. The development of Latisse followed. 

Pros: 

• The most effective product for lash growth

• FDA approved lash growth product

• Works quickly, growth begins in as little as 4 weeks

• Clinical studies - after 16 weeks user’s reported lashes were:

  • 106% fuller

  • 25% longer

  • 18% darker

  • 78% overall increased in prominence

Cons: 

• Prescription required 

• Rare (0.05%) PERMANENT side effect of eye color changes. Has been shown to discolor green and blue eyes with brown pigmentation. 

• Rare non-permanent side effects of eyelid skin darkening and hair growing where it shouldn’t. 

• Lashes return to pretreatment appearance after Latisse is discontinued.

Pros:

• No prescription required

• Drug-free, prostaglandin-free and irritant-free 

• Dermatologist tested & approved 

• Ecocert certified, vegan, non-GMO and cruelty free 

• Clinical Studies -in 16 weeks most saw some changes in lashes: 

  • 85% noticed visible improvement in fullness and texture

  • 100% noticed improvement in thickness and density

  • 0% noticed irritation

Cons: 

• Does NOT work as well as Latisse 

• Results are not very noticeable until 16 weeks

Pros: 

• Works well - lash appearance improvement noticed in 4-6 weeks in terms of length and fullness 

• Paraben-free, fragrance-free, no animal testing 

• Ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested 

• Safe for contact lens wearers 

Cons: 

• Contains a prostaglandin analog 

• Rare side effects of eye irritation and iris discoloration

• Prolonged use can dry out the lashes 

Pros: 

• Works well - lash appearance improvement noticed in 4-6 weeks in terms of length and thickness

• Cruelty-free

• Ophthalmologist tested and approved

• Research results in a 12 week study, of the users: 

  • 97% reported they had more visible lashes

  • 94% reported healthier looking lashes

  • 91% reported longer looking lashes

Cons: 

• Contains a form of prostaglandin 

• Rare side effects of eye irritation and iris discoloration 

Pros: 

• 100% natural alternative to commercial lash serums

• Caster oil contains fatty acids (ricinoleic acid):

• May reverse hair loss and promote new grow

• May inhibit signaling molecules that play a roll in hair loss

Cons: 

• Functions more as a lash conditioner 

• Studies are new, more research needed for long term results