Eyelash Growth: What Works, What Doesn't, and What You Need to Know

When it comes to eyelash growth, the natural process of increasing the length, thickness, or darkness of eyelashes through medical or cosmetic means. Also known as lash enhancement, it’s one of the most requested cosmetic improvements—but not all methods are safe or effective. You’ve probably seen ads for serums that promise Hollywood-length lashes in weeks. But here’s the truth: only a few options have real science behind them, and some can actually harm your eyes.

The only FDA-approved treatment for eyelash growth, a medical treatment that stimulates lash follicles to grow longer and thicker is bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analog originally developed to treat glaucoma but later found to promote lash growth as a side effect. It’s the active ingredient in Latisse, and it works by extending the growth phase of your lashes. But it’s not a miracle. It takes 8 to 16 weeks to see results, and if you stop using it, your lashes go back to normal. Worse, it can cause darkening of the eyelid skin or even change iris color in rare cases. That’s why you need a prescription—and why you should never buy it from shady online sellers.

Most over-the-counter eyelash serums, topical products marketed to enhance lash appearance using peptides, biotin, or plant extracts rely on conditioning, not stimulation. They might make lashes look fuller by reducing breakage, but they won’t make them grow longer. Ingredients like biotin, panthenol, and castor oil are popular, but there’s almost no clinical proof they boost growth. Meanwhile, lash extensions, individual synthetic lashes glued to natural ones for immediate dramatic effect offer instant results—but they risk damaging your follicles if applied poorly or left on too long. Glue allergies, infections, and traction alopecia are real risks.

What’s missing from most marketing is this: eyelash growth isn’t just about appearance. It’s about protecting your eyes. Lashes act as a barrier against dust, sweat, and debris. Pushing them too hard with chemicals or physical stress can weaken them over time. And if you’re using prescription meds like bimatoprost, you need to know how it interacts with other eye treatments. Some of the posts below break down exactly how these products work, who they’re safe for, and what side effects to watch for.

Below, you’ll find real, no-fluff comparisons of the most common treatments—from the science-backed to the sketchy. You’ll learn which products have actual studies behind them, which ones are just fancy moisturizers, and how to avoid wasting money or risking your vision. Whether you’re curious about bimatoprost, tired of false lashes, or just want to know why your lashes won’t grow no matter what you try, the answers are here.