Do you ever wonder what eyelashes do for your eyes and why we have them? Your lashes are not just there to make you look pretty. They, in fact, serve as the barrier of the eyes from external irritants such as dirt, lint, debris, and dust. They also play a huge role in keeping your eyes safe from UV rays and the blinding bright light of the sun.
Without proper care and nutrition, your eyelashes might start to fall out or worse, develop an eyelashes concern such as eyelash termites, slow growth, or flaky lashes. Read below to know how to properly take care of your eyelashes and tips to growth it thicker and healthier than ever!
- Your Lashes' Nutritional Needs
- Food and Vitamins For Lash Health
- How To Grow Your Lashes
- How To Take Care Of Your Lashes
- How To Curl Your Hair Without An Eyelash Curler
Your Lashes' Nutritional Needs
What is the key to having healthy, voluminous lashes? Nutrition. Just like any other parts of our body, you can achieve healthy eyelashes with proper and balanced nutrition.
New research has found that simple nutritional deficiencies can be causing your lashes to break and fall out. And not only do these findings completely change the way we think about our lashes, but they also provide useful information about how you can protect your luscious lashes.
Beneath your long lashes is a series of glands which produce an oily secretion called sebum. This crucial secretion keeps the hair soft and provides protection from bacteria, viruses, fungus, dust mites, allergens, and pollutants. And that's where nutrition comes in.
Lash researchers found that certain important nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron, and folate are found in sebum. They have also discovered that lash health is directly related to how well you take care of your body's nutritional needs. This means taking a close look at the food you eat every day. For instance, recent studies have shown that women who eat more omega-3 fatty acids have lusher lashes than those who do not.
Let us look at which food and vitamins to achieve longer lashes:
Food and Vitamins For Lash Health
#1 Avocado
Avocado is rich in Vitamin B3 and Vitamin E, both of which aids in keeping our lashes strong and moisturized. Vitamin B3 or also called Niacin helps improve blood flow to the hair follicles and in turn help stimulate eyelash growth and prevent it from drying out.
#2 Salmon
Salmon is rich in Omega-3-fatty acid. Some studies have suggested that Omega-3 and Omega-6 works hand in hand in improving hair density and prevent hair loss. Supplementing with fish oil may also help hydrate and nourish dry eyelashes. Other Omega-3 fatty acid rich foods are tuna, nuts, mackerel, soybean oil, and flaxseed oil.
#3 Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene (Vitamin A) that helps make the lashes thicker and darker. Some studies have shown that lack of Vitamin A can lead to hair loss and that could be a reason for your why your lashes fall out. Vitamin A helps keep the eyelashes moisturized and prevents you from suffering breakage and lash fall. Some Vitamin A rich foods are sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, and tuna.
#4 Eggs
Eggs are rich in protein which is made of building blocks called amino acid that brings out keratin. Keratin has natural hair strengthening properties that keep the eyelash shafts stronger and fuller. Eating protein rich food can give you the nutritional boost you need to grow your lashes.
Today, most lash serums contain keratin to help boost and lift eyelashes. While there are different lash serums to keep your lashes healthy, some people have also suggested a natural method by applying egg yolk directly to your eyelashes and eyebrows for twenty minutes before rinsing off with cold water.
#5 Spinach
Spinach is packed with antioxidants and nutrients that work miracles in enhancing your lashes and eyebrows. This green leafy vegetable is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, vitamin E, vitamin C, iron, and potassium. Add this wonderful veggie to your diet as a shake, as part of a salad, as a soup, or a juice and your eyelashes will thank you.
How To Grow Your Lashes
When it comes to the start of lash growth, Biotin and Collagen would be considered the stars of hair growth. There are several ways to grow your lashes. The first and the most important one is by making changes to your diet. And the other way is to use products that can stimulate lash growth such as Vitamin E, Castor Oil, or Collagen. Not only do they help with hair growth, but they also help moisturize your lashes keeping it from being dehydrated from the sun.
Alternatively, you may try supplementing with Biotin and Collagen, or you may apply it directly to your lashes using an eyelash growth serum that contains these ingredients. Try our Pure Biology Eyelash Growth Serum!
How To Take Care Of Your Lashes
Taking care of your eyelashes should come from both the inside and outside. Eating a balanced diet is a start you can make in taking care of your lashes. Here are some more tips on how you can keep your lashes clean and healthy:
- Gently wash your face and eyelashes (make sure to thoroughly remove make up)
- Comb your lashes
- Clean your make up brushes
- Moisturize your lashes or apply vitamin E
- Invest in an eyelash growth serum
- Take a break from using fake eyelashes
Did you know that eyelash extensions can lead to build up and bacteria close to your lash line? Check out this TikTok from @floecostamesa on how she helps her patients with clogged glands:
@floecostamesa Deep cleaning treatment✨ #greenscreenvideo #eyelashes #eyelashextensions #eyes #optometrist #optometry #eyelash ♬ Life Goes On - Oliver Tree
Have you seen your lashes looking like this? If so, then you need to clean your lashes!
@ipsbeauty Pretty please 🙏🏼 #fypシ #lashes #lashextensions #viral #MakeItCinematic #fy #foryou #ifb #beauty #eyelashextensions #fyp #selfcare #eyelash ♬ Oh No - Kreepa
Check out how @nadina_ioana cleanse her lashes:
@nadina_ioana 🤍 #eyelashcleaning#lashes#eyelashes#eyelashtutorial#eyelashbath#eyelashextensions#lashextensions#extensionesdepestañas#pestañas#pestaña#lashgoals ♬ Lonely - Justin Bieber & benny blanco
How To Curl Your Hair Without An Eyelash Curler
Here’s a bonus tip! Constantly using an eyelash curler can hurt your lashes (especially if you clamp too hard!) If you want to curl your lashes without an eyelash curler, try these alternatives:
Spoon Method: Heat the spoon until it’s warm and press your lashes against the edge of the spoon. Hold it for 30 seconds
Curling Mascara Wand: Coat your lashes with mascara and press your lashes upward using the mascara wand. Add more coat and lightly press the lashes upward and hold for 15 seconds.
Q-tip Hack: This method is almost the same as using a mascara wand but with a cotton swab instead. Try coating your lashes with a lash lift serum and hold your lashes upward with a cotton swab. Hold that position for 15-20 seconds
Use your finger: This is the easiest way to curl your lashes. However, this will only make a small difference and may only stay for a few hours. The first step is to rub your hands together to make your fingers warm. Then gently press your eyelash in an upward motion (from the lash line to your eyelid). Hold that position for 30 seconds.