Worldwide, there is a large demand for cosmetic products, and those to lengthen, thicken, and darken eyelashes are no exception. Many over-the-counter (OTC) products claim to do this, although their effectiveness may vary.
Bimatoprost ophthalmic solution (Latisse) is the only lash serum with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for eyelash lengthening. It’s available on prescription.
Some natural remedies, such as castor oil and rosemary oil, might also be suitable options for helping to lengthen your eyelashes.
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What is Latisse?
Latisse, the brand name for the medication bimatoprost ophthalmic solution, is the only FDA-approved medication for eyelash lengthening. This means the FDA has studied the drug for this purpose and found it may be effective, and its benefits outweigh the potential risks.
The drug belongs to a group called prostaglandin analogs. It was initially a treatment for glaucoma as it can lower the pressure inside your eye. When people were using it to treat glaucoma, they noticed that their eyelashes became thicker and darker as a side effect.
Latisse is only available on prescription. Doctors might prescribe it if you don’t have enough eyelashes or they are very thin. This can happen for many reasons, such as alopecia areata or having undergone chemotherapy.
Your eyelashes grow and fall out in phases. Latisse works by prolonging the growth phase and shortening the time between your old lashes falling out and new ones growing back.
To use Latisse, you apply 1 drop directly to your upper lash line each night using the applicator that comes with the medication. Its strength is 0.3 milligrams per milliliter.
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Get free cardIs Latisse effective for eyelash growth?
Latisse is FDA approved for eyelash growth, meaning the FDA has approved it for this purpose. Some research over 16 weeks found that statistically significant improvements were observed at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks, meaning that eyelashes were noticeably thicker or darker.
According to a study in a 2024 research review, all treatment groups saw an improvement in eyelash appearance and self-confidence by month 4 of the research, with very few participants dropping out due to adverse effects.
However, it’s important to note that the positive effects will stop when you finish using the medication.
Risks and side effects
As with any medication, Latisse may come with side effects. One of the most common is that it may darken the skin of your eyelid where you apply it, although this may go away when you stop using the medication. It may also cause the darkening of your iris — the colored part of your eye. This may be permanent.
Some other side effects may include:
- dry eyes
- red eyes
- eyelid irritation
- eyelid itching
To reduce the risk of side effects, make sure you wash your hands before applying Latisse. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying the medication and wait at least 15 minutes before re-inserting them.
Other eyelash serums
Latisse is the only FDA-approved medication for eyelash lengthening, but other drugs may have the same effects. For example, some other prostaglandin analogs may also lengthen eyelashes, including:
- latanoprost (Xalatan)
- fluprostenol (Travoprost)
- tafluprost (Zioptan)
These are also prescription medications, but doctors may prescribe them off-label for eyelash-lengthening purposes.
Several OTC eyelash serums are also available that contain ingredients that don’t require a prescription. Some key ingredients in many of these serums are peptides. According to a 2024 research review, these ingredients are beneficial for hair growth with few adverse effects, but there’s limited research into their applications for eyelash lengthening.
Natural remedies for eyelash lengthening
Alongside these medications and serums, some natural compounds may also help with eyelash lengthening:
- Ginseng: Ginseng is a plant root that has shown promise for eyelash growth, although more research is necessary.
- Pumpkin seed oil: This is often an ingredient in OTC eyelash serums. There isn’t much evidence of its effectiveness for eyelashes, but it has shown some positive effects on scalp hair growth.
- Castor oil: This is another popular ingredient for eyelash serums. However, there is limited research regarding its actual effects.
Can petroleum jelly help with eyelash growth?
Petroleum jelly is a popular home remedy for eyelash growth. However, it has no properties or ingredients that can actually stimulate growth. That said, a coating of it may make your eyelashes appear thicker and darker.
Summary
Eyelash serums that claim to lengthen, thicken, or darken your eyelashes are very popular.
Latisse is the only FDA-approved medication to stimulate eyelash growth. It’s only available by prescription. However, if a doctor feels it’s necessary, they may prescribe other similar medications off-label for this purpose.
OTC serums often contain peptides, which can be effective for hair growth with few side effects. More research is necessary to determine their effectiveness for eyelashes specifically.
Some natural compounds, such as ginseng and pumpkin seed oil, may be beneficial for eyelash growth. However, some popular remedies, like petroleum jelly, may not be effective.
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