Sisters are eager to have dense and long eyelashes, and have tried many methods (false eyelashes, eyelash extensions, mascara, applying vitamin E…)
(Source: soogif)
In addition to these, a new method has recently become popular – “Lash Growth Serum“.
On the Internet, there is a propaganda claiming that “after a week of use, you can harvest wild eyelashes, 100% thicker, denser and darker!” It sounds really exciting.
Does eyelash growth liquid really work?
Eyelashes, like hair, are hairs, but they are genetically regulated and cannot grow as long as hair.
The growth period of eyelashes is much shorter than that of hair, only about 30 days, so it is not easy to grow eyelashes[2].
Lash growth liquid is usually a film-forming agent, colorant, etc. attached to the eyelashes to achieve the effect of coloring, thickening, and lengthening by physical action. It does not have the effect of promoting eyelash growth. Long-term use may actually damage the eyes [1].
(Source: State Drug Administration)
What are the eyelash growth liquids on the market?
1. Some of them are peptides and plant extracts. There is not much basis for their effects. It may be for psychological comfort.
2. Some, as mentioned by the State Food and Drug Administration, are just some film-forming agents, colorants, etc., when applied to the eyelashes, they just look thicker and longer, but in fact they are not Did not lengthen the lashes.
3. Some are actually illegally added drugs such as bimatoprost and travoprost, which may indeed cause the eyelashes to become longer, more numerous, thickening effect.
Let’s take a closer look at the article by the State Food and Drug Administration. The title of the article is “warning claim” rather than “there is no eyelash growth product”. This wording is very strict .
(Source: soogif)
Because there are drugs that can make eyelashes grow.
Currently, the FDA-approved prescription drug for eyelash growth, taking bimatoprost as an example, is actually a previous treatment for A potent topical drug for glaucoma was then discovered during clinical trials to have the side effect of making eyelashes grow.
But it is a prescription drug, and the Chinese Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for eyelash growth. It is illegal to add this ingredient to skin care products for the purpose of growing eyelashes.
Then some people may wonder, since these drugs can grow eyelashes, why can’t they be used?
Simple because of security.
1. Conjunctivitis
Those film formers, colorants and placebo eyelash growth liquids not only do not have the function of growing eyelashes, but also tend to irritate the conjunctiva and even the cornea after being used for a long time, causing a tingling sensation, and it is easy to use improperly. Cause corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, folliculitis and other infectious diseases.
2. Low intraocular pressure
You must know that bimatoprost is originally a drug for glaucoma, so reducing intraocular pressure is one of its obvious effects.
If normal people use it for a long time, it will inevitably lead to changes in intraocular pressure and even affect vision. Improper use will also cause conjunctival macular, severe cases and even blindness.
3. Conjunctival hyperemia
Studies show that: Conjunctival hyperemia occurs in 50% of people with bimatoprost 0.01%, if the US FDA approved 0.03 % concentration, the proportion of conjunctival hyperemia will be higher [3].
Celebrities once used eye drops to grow eyelashes, which later caused eye congestion, and even said “I’m going blind now!”.
So if you use glaucoma medicines or illegally added growth fluids to grow your eyelashes, the consequences are immeasurable.
4. Pigmented dark circles
Studies show that 6% of people who use bimatoprost develop hyperpigmentation around the eyes after 1 year, which is often referred to as dark circles[4] .
This side effect will not only make you look more beautiful, but will make your eyes more dull. You think your eyelashes are long, but you can’t tell if the eyelashes are long or not, but panda eyes are will be obvious.
5. Eyelid thinning and periorbital depression
This is a more terrible side effect. Bimatoprost can make the fat around the eyes shrink, so it will cause the skin around the eyes to sunken, and the thinning of the eyelids will increase the number of eye lines. , the eyes are not only dull but also old.
Want to grow lashes safely and effectively without side effects?
Zhimei can only say that there is currently no method that has been researched and proven.
In fact, our eyelashes, as a protective barrier for the eyes, are not as long as possible, because they need to change the airflow around the eyes to prevent dust and other irritants from entering the eyes, and prevent dust and other irritants from entering the eyes. Let the water flow out.
Scientists studying the length of eyelashes in 22 mammal species have found that the “optimal length” of eyelashes is one-third the width of the eye.
If it exceeds this length, not only will it not block the air, but it will become a “funnel” for air to reach the eye, increasing the evaporation of moisture and the accumulation of dust in the eye.
Therefore,excessive eyelashes not only fail to protect the eyes, but also affect eye health.
The eye is a very delicate organ. Even for a small problem like floaters, the means of treatment are relatively limited, and many problems do not even have a perfect solution.
Humans have evolved to the present, having eyelashes of the right length is innately and genetically set, and there is no need to destroy this balance in order to pursue beauty.
Especially for healthy people, when scientists have not developed a safe and effective solution for eyelash growth, in pursuit of beauty, using drugs with safety risks is really worth the loss.
Contributing Author
Fang Jian｜Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, Huadu District People’s Hospital, Guangzhou
References
[1]National Medical Products Administration. Beware of mascara that claims to “promote eyelash growth”
[2]Weng Peiping. The clinical observation of autologous eyelash augmentation in eyelash growth[C]https://China Health Care Association. China Health Care Association, 2015.
[3]Hari K , Arase S, Tsuboi R, et al. Bimatoprost for Eyelash Growth in Japanese Subjects:Two Multicenter Controlled Studies[J]. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2014, 38(2 ):451-460.
[4]Glaser DA, Hossain P , Perkins W , et al. Long-term safety and efficacy of bimatoprostsolution 0-03% application to the eyelid margin for the treatment of idiopathic and chemotherapy-induced eyelash hypotrichosis: a randomized controlled trial.[J]. British Journal of Dermatology, 2015, 172(5):1384-1394.
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