How to Use Eyelash Growth Serum

If you are keen on purchasing an eyelash growth serum to boost the look of your lashes without needing to pay someone for eyelash extensions or a professional lash lift, you may be wondering how it works and how to actually apply it safely.

We’ll cover everything you need to know about its basic functionality (how the serum works) and how to apply it in this article.

What is Lash Serum?

Lash serum is a formulation made up of oils, vitamins, and various other components that all help improve the health and appearance of your eyelashes. Most brands can even be safely used on your eyebrows as well.

Lash serums have become one of the most popular beauty products on the market thanks to their effectiveness and ease of use.

Some people with sensitive skin may have poor reactions and experience side effects due to the natural or chemical ingredients in the lash serum, but in general, lash serum is incredibly safe and non-damaging to your natural lashes.

Some ingredients that are found within formulations of lash serums can actually be used as lash enhancers all on their own.

Most commonly, you’ll see castor oil and hyaluronic acid used as a lash enhancer, since their natural composition nourishes and strengthens hair to create fuller lashes.

Hyaluronic acid is even found in common moisturisers, so even if you decide to stick with lash extensions, this ingredient can still help you achieve a more consistent look and extend the life of the extensions.

What Does Eyelash Growth Serum Do?

Aside from an FDA-approved brand called Latisse (created from a glaucoma medicine called bimatoprost), eyelash growth serums do not contain any pharmaceutical agents that are proven to enhance the health of your lash follicles or stimulate new hair growth.

However, the ingredients they do contain can still help you achieve the healthier, fuller, and longer lashes that you are after. All of the ingredients in a lash serum help lengthen the look of your lashes by preventing breakage.

Builds Density

Amino acids are included in every lash serum formulation because of their ability to build healthier hair follicles. As a result, your lashes will have a health boost from the second they start to grow and will be more resistant to breakage early on.

Biotin is another crucial ingredient in a lash/brow serum. It strengthens keratin and therefore improves the overall health and density of each hair.

Nourishes

Ceramides are added to many lash serums as a way to lock in the moisture in your lashes. Dry lashes are more likely to break, and keeping your lashes hydrates is one of the main ways a lash serum will produce longer lashes.

Panthenol (Vitamin B5) is another hydrating ingredient that is commonly included to maintain your lashes. Various other proteins in peptide form are added to further nourish and strengthen your lashes.

Tips for Applying Lash Growth Serum

1. Remove your contact lenses! This should always be your first step no matter what type of applicator you are using, as the contact can absorb the serum. You can replace your contacts 10-15 minutes after applying the serum.
2. Take off your makeup and use a cleanser to ensure your face is clean, especially along your lower and upper lash line and around the eye area. If there is a barrier between your lash and the serum, it won’t be able to work effectively.
3. Follow the instructions on your specific serum for application. Specific application techniques will vary with the type of applicator brush you have, but no matter what, do not apply any serum to your bottom lashes. It will spread naturally from the top lashes down.
4. After application, blot the corner of your eye to remove excess serum. This will help prevent irritation and ensure you don’t stimulate hair growth in any unwanted areas.
5. Clean your applicator brush. For all standard over-the-counter brands, rinsing it in water will be enough. If you are using a prescription brand, dispose of the applicator entirely and use a fresh one for your next application. This helps reduce the risk of contamination, irritation and will also help prevent infection.
6. Use the serum consistently! It should become part of your everyday skin care routine. Using your serum at least once daily (some brands recommend twice) will ensure you actually achieve results. Generally, it takes 2-3 months for exceptional results, since you need to treat every hair at every stage of its growth cycle. You will start to notice some improvements in the first 2-3 weeks, however. After the 2-3 month mark, you can reduce applications to 2 or 3 times per week to maintain the health and appearance of your lashes.
7. Watch for irritation. If you notice any side effects or inflammation, use the serum for only one more day to see if your eyes adjust. If they don’t, discontinue use and look for a brand that offers a different formulation. You may have an allergy or sensitivity to one or more of the ingredients.

Types of Applicators: Mascara vs Eyeliner Method

There are two main types of applicator brushes you may find in your serum bottle. If you are accustomed to applying makeup, you won‘t have any trouble applying a lash serum.

The most common brush type is similar to an eyeliner brush, and it allows you to target your hair follicles along the lash line. The second brush type is the equivalent of a mascara brush.

These are more common with DIY lash serums, but you may find professional brands that use this brush type as well.

No matter which brush type you use, you do not need to apply the serum to your lower lash line, as the serum will naturally spread from the upper line down every time you blink.

When using a mascara brush type, you’ll want to ensure that you have a thin layer of serum on the brush to help prevent dripping.

Then, just apply the serum like you would normally apply your mascara. When using an eyeliner-type brush, you are going to follow the same steps as when you apply liquid eyeliner.

You are going to start at the inner corner of your eye and slowly draw the brush across the lash line towards the outside. You’ll want to target the roots of our lashes the best you can.

It is important that you don’t put the applicator back in the bottle before rinsing it off, since it can contaminate the serum and cause irritation later on.

Who Needs Serum and Where to Buy It

Anyone who isn’t happy with the look of their natural lashes should investigate the option of using a lash serum. If you want longer, fuller, or just healthier lashes, a lash serum is right for you.

Prescription-free brands like GrandeLASH can be purchased from any retailers, even online-only stores like Amazon. There are cruelty-free options, organic options, DIY recipes, and more, so everyone can find their perfect fit.

Latisse is the only prescription strength lash serum on the market, and it will require a visit to a dermatologist, ophthalmologist, or family doctor to get a prescription and talk about the risks.

This serum will be the most effective and is usually reserved for people that have extremely poor lash quality. You have to be more careful with this brand and follow the instructions and guidance form your doctor(s) to the letter.