They say, “the eyes are the windows to the soul.” Women spend a lot of time making sure their eyes look great. A huge part of that is long and full lashes. Many women are searching for how to make eyelashes grow longer and thicker like all the celebs we see on social media.

But the truth of the matter is that the stars we follow online are hardly in their natural state when they post selfies. False lashes adorn the eyes of just about every celebrity and social media star.

So, while we’re talking truths, let’s talk about some of the “methods” for eyelash growth that are just flat-out myths. You’ve probably heard of it all from coconut oil for eyelashes to petroleum jelly and more. Let’s get to bottom of these common myths right now…

Here are 4 common myths on how to supposedly grow your eyelashes faster and longer.

Myth 1: Use Vaseline On Your Lashes

This is a very common myth because smearing Vaseline on your lashes makes them all oily and glossy which reflects the light. This may appear to some as if their lashes have grown. But petroleum jelly has very large molecules that can’t even penetrate the skin let alone the hair follicle.

Vaseline quite simply can not stimulate hair growth, and many reputable beauty therapists and ophthalmologists will beg you to not use it around your sensitive eye area. Vaseline is called petroleum jelly because it is refined from – you guessed it – petrol. Do you really want to put it that close to your eyes?

Vaseline can absolutely be a fantastic barrier cream for dry skin as it locks moisture in, but it can’t do more than just sit on the skin.

Myth 2: Apply Natural Oils To Your Lashes

Natural oils like castor oil and coconut oil have been declared across many blogs as eyelash “miracle oils”.

Castor oil, unlike Vaseline, is easily able to penetrate deep into the skin due to its low molecular size. That is true. But claims that castor oil can stimulate circulation and thus promote hair growth has absolutely no credible clinical evidence linked to it. Even if it’s able to nourish the skin and hair this doesn’t equate to hair growth. Plenty of beauty products nourish the skin and hair.

Coconut oil is another deeply moisturizing oil that can actually be a wonderful eye makeup remover. It’s also shown to reduce the protein loss from hair and its fatty acids can protect hair from breakage.¹ But there is zero evidence to suggest it can affect growth.

Just like Vaseline, both coconut and castor oil are glossy and reflect the light. A tiny bit brushed onto eyelashes may make them appear fuller and longer, but it’s only an illusion.

Myth 3: Regularly Brush Your Lashes

Separating your lashes and guiding the hair upward with brushing or combing can make them look neater and fuller – and, yes, even longer. But if you overdo it, you’re just going to pull out more hairs than might be ready to naturally fall out.

Think about the phases listed above. Constantly tugging at the lashes that are in the telogen and, especially, catagen phases will just lead them to fall out more quickly than if you were to treat them gently.

Also, constant brushing and combing can lead to more damage of the hair shaft, itself – which certainly won’t lead to longer lashes. If you feel the need to do either, definitely stick with combing.

Myth 4: Trim Your Lashes

Are you crazy?! Put those sharp scissors down! Though, if you poke out your eye, your lashes will be the least of your concerns.

Your eyelashes are not bushes to be pruned! Though some people believe that the hair on their heads will grow faster when it’s regularly trimmed, that too is a myth. All trimming does is neaten up the split ends which makes hair appear thicker and healthier.

All hair has a natural growth cycle that occurs in four parts:

• Anagen Phase: This is when a hair is actively growing. The hair shaft is increasing in length from the hair follicle.
  
• Telogen Phase: This is the resting phase when a hair is still attached to the follicle but is not growing. It will remain this length until it sheds.
  
• Catagen Phase: This is a short phase of rapid tissue degeneration. This phase happens just before the hair is shed. When hairs are naturally lost (without being ripped out), they are in the catagen phase.
• Neogen Phase: After a hair has shed, the neogen phase signals new regrowth to start the cycle over again. This phase is heavily influenced by the tissue and stem cells in and around the follicle. So, it’s important to note that your skin (which houses your hair follicles) plays an important role in this process, too.

Also note that your eyelashes (like other hairs on your body) reach the telogen and catagen phases at a certain length, and it’s very unlikely that you can change anything about this process. Eyelash growth is, for the most part, written in your genetics.

Still Want Thicker Lashes?

Just like we can’t change our height or our bust size, we are born with the hair that we are born with. But just as the celebs do, there are plenty of ways to “fake it,” such as a pair of false eyelashes. They are simple to use and come in many different lengths to suit the occasion.

Don’t neglect to invest in a good mascara either. You may find that mascara or eyelash tinting is particularly effective if you’re fair-haired. Those with lighter hair tend to also have very fair eyelash tips. So they can appear shorter until they have some depth of color applied and then their full length comes to light.

Learn More:
The Best Makeup Tips for Oily Skin
How Often Should You Clean Your Makeup Brushes?

Sources
1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12715094