Did you come from a family where Vaseline was used on everything? Some mothers today still use Vaseline on cuts, scrapes, and dry skin. Cracked lips? Put some Vaseline on it.
Lost your arm in a tragic lawn mower accident? Slap some Vaseline on and your arm might even grow back đ
Some have taken the miraculous powers of Vaseline to the world of eyelash health. Popular websites like SheKnowseven promote using Vaseline for growing longer eyelashes.
âThe old beauty go-to, Vaseline, can do more than just moisture chapped skin â it can moisturize your lashes too! After cleansing before bed, apply a small amount of Vaseline to your lashes using your fingertip. Make sure not to rub the product into your eyes, as it can cause puffy eyes in the morning for some women.â
Sorry moms. Vaseline might help with dry skin, but it wonât make your eyelashes grow. Even if sometimes there is content on the Internet that says that it will.
If Vaseline doesnât work, then why do so many people feel that it does?
What we have here is a case of âassociative logic.â The human body will naturally grow eyelashes, whether you put Vaseline on them or not. Over the course of a couple weeks, you will notice eyelash growth happening. If youâve been putting Vaseline on them to encourage growth, then youâll assume that the product worked.
Except it was the human body working as it should, despite the use of Vaseline.
Now if you have extremely dry eyelids and the dead skin cells interfere with hair growth, then there is the possibility in that specific situation that Vaseline could help.
Instead of Vaseline, you might wish to consider these options to improve the length and health of your eyelashes instead. After all, do you really want to be stuck with a petroleum product on top of your eyes every night?
The #1 Solution for Longer, Thicker Eyelashes: Latisse
Latisse, which is available by prescription only, has an off-label effect of creating longer and thicker eyelashes. Distributed through eye drops, the intended use of the medication is to treat glaucoma (a serious eye condition).
For those who struggle to have eyelashes grow at all, Latisse may be prescribed for its off-label benefit for some patients.
It works because it changes the genetic structure of the hair follicle. Youâre no longer limited by the coding that stops the lashes from growing once they reach a certain length. The thickness of the lashes is also improved because the growth stage for each follicle is extended. The end result is a fuller look without the need for mascara or other eye makeup products.
Be careful when purchasing any product that says it âmay act like Latisse.â The active ingredient in Latisse is bimatoprost and it cannot be used in over-the-counter products.
No other hair growth formula, including Rogaine or Librow, have independent testing to provide any insight as to whether or not they could create longer lashes. Rogaine is recommended for the scalp only and could cause serious pain and irritation within the eye, so a direct application to the eyelid is not recommended.
Some users report that placing Rogaine on their scalp did create noticeably longer eyelashes, however, so there is that option to think about.
Natural Options and Serums to Create Longer Eyelashes
If youâre looking for DIY methods of eyelash growth, then the focus must be placed on the health of each hair follicle. The idea is this: by supplying the follicle with the nutrients it needs, while being supported by a healthy diet, you can encourage longer hair growth.
When youâre looking at the best eyelash serums that are available today, many of them contain either castor oil, olive oil, or almond oil. That is because these three oils are filled with the fatty acids that can help to make hair healthy.
You may also wish to look at serums which contain an ingredient called âMP-17.â This ingredient may encourage the proteins that are found in the hair to support stronger growth by targeting specific amino acid codes. This can then maximize growth and follicle thickness over time in some individuals.
The issue with MP-17 products is that they tend to be at the premium pricing levels as a beauty treatment. One bottle of MP-17 serum could cost as much as a professional permanent eyelash extension session at a salon.
If you do want to take more of a natural approach, we highly recommend using a low acid extra virgin olive oil. This type of olive oil is available at virtually all grocery stores. For less than $5, you can try this product to see if your hair follicles need to be infused with nutrients and vitamins. If you begin to see improvements, then switch to an oil-based serum with higher levels of fatty acids and amino acids to maximize results.
That way youâre spending money on something that you know will work. Keep in mind that if it takes 2-3 weeks to see results that it is likely your body doing the work and not the treatment. You should see results in 7 days or less to know that your treatment is working.
Are You Ready to Finally Put the Vaseline Away?
Your mother may recommend that you put Vaseline on everything that ails you, but when it comes to improving your eyelashes, there is a different route to take. These âold wivesâ talesâ do sometimes have some truth to them, but this one is more of an urban legend.
Opt for natural oils instead. Look for serums that have these natural oils and MP-17 for the best chance to see results. If youâre concerned about how well your lashes are growing, you may also wish to make an appointment to speak with your doctor about Latisse.
Never use a medication or treatment outside of its recommended use unless directly supervised by a medical professional.
This way you can make sure that you have the best possible chance to grow longer lashes. Then you can use your Vaseline for the times when it makes more sense.
