How to Grow Longer Eyelashes: Treatments, Tips & More

Dreaming of longer, thicker lashes? You’re in the right place.

Sure, falsies, mascara, and eyelash extensions can do the trick — but if you want lasting results, there are treatments and simple at-home hacks to enhance the look of your natural lashes. 

Read on for tips on how to grow longer eyelashes, including treatments and at-home remedies.

Since there’s an entire category of products designed to grow eyelashes, it’s easy to assume that they’re biologically different from the hairs on your scalp.

In reality, your eyelashes grow in exactly the same way as the other hairs on your body. Each hair goes through a series of different phases throughout the hair growth cycle. 

They include: 

• The anagen (growing) phase. While it takes about five years for the hairs on your scalp to reach their full length, it only takes one to two months for your eyelashes to grow to their full length.

• The catagen (regression) phase. During this phase, the hair follicle inside your upper eyelid releases the hair, meaning the eyelash is no longer attached to the follicle.

• The telogen (resting) phase. During this phase, the eyelash is no longer growing. In its place, a new eyelash starts to grow from the follicle.

• The exogen (shedding) phase. As the new eyelash grows out of the hair follicle, the old eyelash fully detaches from your skin and falls out, letting the new eyelash take its place. 

Your eyelashes are constantly going through this cycle, meaning new eyelashes are growing and replacing the old ones all the time. This cycle is an essential part of keeping your lashes strong, thick, and healthy. Without it, your lashes would become thin and brittle with time. 

If you notice a stray eyelash on your cheek or pillow, there’s no need to panic. Instead, view it as a sign that a new eyelash is on its way to replace it.

Why You Might Have Thin Lashes

Your eyelashes might be shorter, thinner, or sparser than you’d like due to: 

• Age 

• Genetics

• Medical conditions 

• Poor nutrition 

• Overuse of eyelash extensions, falsies, mascara, or a lash curler 

• Being rough when removing makeup or rubbing your eyes

Currently, the most effective treatments for growing longer lashes work by stimulating your hair follicles to enter the anagen phase of the hair cycle. This is the phase during which your lashes grow to their full length.

These treatments may also extend the length of the anagen phase, meaning your eyelashes will grow for longer. The end result is longer, thicker, and more prominent eyelashes. 

There are numerous products on the market for growing long lashes. 

Latisse^® (Bimatoprost)

Latisse is an FDA-approved medication containing the active ingredient bimatoprost. It’s proven to help you grow longer, thicker, and darker-colored eyelashes. It’s currently the only eyelash growth treatment with FDA approval. 

With daily use, Latisse improves the look of eyelashes for 79 percent of people after 20 weeks of treatment.

You apply the liquid solution to the base of your upper eyelids, along the lash line. It’s safe, effective, and easy to use. Most people who use Latisse notice results within six weeks. But it can take about four months before your eyelashes reach their full length and thickness. 

Because Latisse is a prescription medication, you’ll need to talk to a healthcare provider before you can buy it to make sure it’s right for you. 

Want to learn more? We explain Latisse side effects here.

We also offer Latisse online, after a visit with a healthcare professional.

Over-the-Counter Eyelash Growth Serums

There are countless over-the-counter lash growth serums that promise longer, thicker, and more prominent eyelashes. Many of these products are promoted by multi-level marketing companies, so you might have spotted them on TikTok.

While the science behind them is mixed at best, some contain lash-friendly ingredients like biotin and keratin. 

Our Latisse vs. Lash Boost^® guide goes into more detail on several of these products, including how they compare to Latisse. 

In general, try not to expect too much with these products since they don’t contain proven active ingredients.  

Although Latisse is the most effective way to grow longer, thicker eyelashes, you can also take other steps to improve and speed up your eyelash growth naturally. 

Here’s how to do it.

Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet

Eating a balanced diet that’s rich in important nutrients can help support hair (and lash) growth — particularly if you have a vitamin deficiency contributing to lash loss, like a lack of omega-3 fatty acids.

To round out your diet, add these foods to your grocery list: 

• Fruits and veggies

• Healthy fats, like nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil 

• Lean proteins, like chicken, fish, tempeh, and tofu

• Whole grains, like whole-grain bread, brown rice, and oats 

Not sure where to start? Consider speaking to a nutritionist or registered dietitian about supplements that might help fill in gaps in your diet. 

Proper hydration is also crucial for a healthy hair growth cycle (and healthy, full lashes).

Avoid Eyelash Extensions

Eyelash extensions can temporarily give you long eyelashes. But the glue can damage your natural lashes. If you use extensions frequently, your natural eyelashes may become thinner, shorter, and uneven over time. 

If you want to grow your lashes longer naturally, it’s best to take a break from eyelash extensions or give them up altogether.

Remove Your Makeup When You’re at Home

Mascara and other makeup can dry out your lashes, making them brittle and prone to damage throughout the day. When it’s time to remove your makeup, use a gentle makeup remover to avoid damaging your lashes.

While it might seem obvious, it’s also crucial to remove your makeup before bed. Even a small amount of mascara can damage your lashes (and even lead to eye infections) if you leave it on overnight. 

Stop Picking Mascara Off Your Lashes

Picking mascara off your lashes is a tempting habit, but you risk pulling out lashes in the catagen and telogen phases, temporarily leaving you with thinner eyelashes. 

Use a gentle touch when you handle your lashes, whether you’re removing mascara at the end of the day or just scratching your upper eyelid. 

Be Careful with Your Eyelash Curler

With proper use, your eyelash curler can help make your eyelashes look longer. But using it too often or applying too much pressure can quickly lead to damage.

When you use a lash curler, make sure you don’t tug at your lashes. Even light tugging can pull out the lashes and damage your hair follicles, leaving you with thinner, sparser eyelashes that can take months to grow back.

Check Your Mascara’s Ingredients Label

This one is absolutely essential. While using mascara won’t damage your lashes on its own, mascaras with certain ingredients can lead to dry, brittle lashes over time.

If you wear mascara often, check the label to see if it contains isopropyl or ethyl alcohol. 

These ingredients are common in waterproof mascara. They help mascara dry quicker, but they can dry out your lashes, making them weaker and prone to breakage. 

If you find your eyelashes frequently feel dry after you wear mascara, consider switching to an alternative product with a natural, non-toxic, non-waterproof formula. 

Use Natural Oils  

There aren’t many studies on oils to grow eyelashes, so there’s no guarantee they’ll work (or that they’re safe).

But some research suggests the following oils may help hydrate, reduce breakage, and improve the hair on your head.

• Coconut oil. Coconut oil contains fatty acids and antioxidants. It’s moisturizing, so may help hydrate dry lashes, and it may prevent hair damage from protein loss during grooming and UV light exposure.

• Olive oil. Despite being a common home remedy, there’s no evidence that olive oil can help with hair growth. But, it contains vitamins E and K and it may be moisturizing and UV protective. 

• Castor oil. Castor oil contains vitamin E and fatty acids, which may be nourishing for the hair follicle. 

Cheap, easy to use, and available from just about any cosmetics section, an eyelash comb can make your eyelashes look longer and more obvious without the need for false eyelashes or mascara.

Gently comb your lashes for a few minutes at the start of the day to volumize and separate them. With longer-looking lashes, you might find you cut down on mascara — and mascara-related damage.  

Plus, many of the tips above can help your lashes appear longer by protecting the ones you have, including: 

• Gently removing eye makeup each night 

• Gently using an eyelash curler and avoiding overuse  

• Minimizing how much you use eyelash extensions, false lashes, and mascara 

A proven treatment like Latisse is your best bet for longer lashes. And while over-the-counter lash serums aren’t supported by scientific studies, some ingredients may help support lash growth.

Here what else to keep in mind for healthy-looking lashes:

• Make sure to remove your makeup. Gently removing eye makeup each night prevents damage and build-up that can cause infection. 

• Use eyelash tools with care. Gently using an eyelash curler and avoiding overuse can help your lashes appear longer.

• Limit how often you use extensions and other lash products. Minimizing how much you use eyelash extensions, false lashes, and mascara can prevent your lashes from becoming dry and brittle. 

Want to learn more about achieving beautiful lashes? We answer common Latisse questions here and, if you’re interested in getting started, you can take our online quiz to find out if it’s right for you.