Everything about eyelashes: Growth, problems & care

Short answer: you cannot force your lashes to grow faster, but you can optimally support their growth. You do this by doing three things at once:

1. An active lash serum that supports the growth phase. This is the biggest lever.
2. Care that prevents breakage and fallout, so that your lashes retain what grows.
3. Patience. Your lashes follow a natural cycle. For most people, the first visible change comes after about 4 weeks.

We elaborate on each point below.

Your eyelashes grow from hair follicles and go through a cycle averaging 4 to 11 months. The length of the growth phase (the anagen phase) in particular determines how long your eyelashes can eventually become.

On average, eyelashes grow about 0.12 to 0.14 mm per day. That is about 4 to 5 mm per month. After falling out, it usually takes 6 to 12 weeks for an eyelash to fully grow back.

How long and full your eyelashes become depends on:

• genetics
• age
• hormones
• care

Genetics, age, and hormones are largely fixed. You have control over care and supporting the growth phase. That is where you can make a difference.

Do you want to know exactly how that cycle works? Then read:

The most effective way to get visibly longer lashes is a serum with active ingredients that supports the growth phase. Conditioning alone keeps your lashes healthy. An active serum drives the growth itself.

There are two different routes. They suit different preferences.

A serum with a prostaglandin analogue can extend the growth phase, giving your lashes more time to grow out. This approach focuses on pronounced length and volume, and on a relatively quickly visible difference.

This is the approach behind the Syrene SuperLash Eyelash Serum. You use it once a day, preferably in the evening. Less is more: more product does not mean faster results.

Don't want a prostaglandin analogue? Then a peptide serum is the way to go. Peptides and plant extracts support the condition of your lashes and work on volume, thickness, strength, and shine, in addition to growth.

This is the basis of the Syrene Organic SuperLash Eyelash Serum. It is prostaglandin-free, water-based, and oil-free. You apply it twice a day, with one stroke per eye.

Which path is right for you? That depends on your priority: maximum growth or a prostaglandin-free formula. We honestly compare the difference in: 

Both serums were developed with the direct involvement of Syrene's physician and product developer. Would you like to first understand exactly how a serum works? Then read:

Length and volume are not the same thing. You influence length through the growth phase. You build volume by making your lashes stronger and preventing breakage, so they appear thicker and stay fuller.

Here is how you do it:

• Nutrition from within. Biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 contribute to strong lashes.
• A conditioning or peptide serum makes lashes stronger and helps prevent breakage.
• Castor oil nourishes your lashes and can reduce breakage. It is important to be honest: castor oil does not stimulate growth, but it does keep your lashes in good condition. You can read more about this in:

You want to preserve what is growing. Proper care prevents your eyelashes from breaking or falling out prematurely.

• Remove makeup gently and thoroughly. Let a mild remover soak in instead of scrubbing.
• Do not rub your eyes. Rubbing damages the hair follicles, and the damage accumulates.
• Be careful with your eyelash curler and do not use old or clumpy mascara.
• Limit waterproof mascara. It is difficult to remove and makes eyelashes brittle more quickly. A tubing mascara is a gentler alternative that rinses off with warm water.

Do you notice your eyelashes are damaged or brittle? Then read how to repair damaged eyelashes to find out how to address it. For men experiencing eyelash loss, there is a separate guide: eyelash loss in men.

Not everything circulating online is true. Two persistent examples:

• Vaseline hydrates your lashes, but does not make them grow faster. At most, it provides a temporary impression of fuller-looking lashes.
• DIY serums may sometimes nourish your lashes, but they do not contain ingredients that stimulate the growth phase.

We explain both honestly in:

Results vary per person, as everyone has a different growth cycle. A realistic timeline:

• From about 4 weeks onwards, most people notice an initial visible difference.
• Fuller, stronger lashes develop further after that.
• The full result takes longer to appear, as your lashes grow in phases.

Important: stay consistent and do not overdo the dosage. No one can honestly guarantee a date. You can read more about what to expect each week in: