Everything You Need To Know About Eyelash Serum

Using A Lash Serum With Eyelash Extensions: The Lowdown

We’re sure that you’ve been inundated with social media posts, ads, and just a general content overload of people using lash serums. They do look amazing, we must admit! The results you see: long and luscious natural lashes. The reality: lash serums are not an instant fix! Unfortunately, there are some side effects that you need to know about before using a lash serum. That’s not to say that lash serums are a hoax, many lash serums on the market will do wonders for your eyelash health. So if you're in the market for an eyelash serum, we’re here to give you the ins and outs of a potentially lash-saving product.

What is a Lash Serum?

A lash serum is essentially a growth-enhancing formula that, when applied regularly, stimulates eyelash growth and thickness. Some of the ingredients typically used in a lash serum are Biotin, Panthenol, and Hyaluronic acid. Lash serums are usually packed in a tube with a very slim brush so that the serum can be applied to the lash line, though some are beginning to be packed conveniently inside a cute mascara-like tube.

Lash serums stimulate hair growth and extend the telogen phase of the lash cycle, also known as the resting phase, meaning that the lash is at this stage for longer before shedding. As the lash growth cycle has been extended, over time lashes will appear longer and fuller.

How Often Should You Use a Lash Serum?

Many lash brands suggest that you should only use lash serum once a day, preferably before bedtime to ensure the product can effectively soak into your lashes and work its magic. This can vary depending on the brand of your lash serum, so always check the packaging of your product for user instructions. You may think, “But if I use the lash serum more than once a day, won’t it speed up my results?” It's understandable that you would think doubling up on your lash serum application will enhance your results; however, it’s actually quite the opposite.

Applying a lash serum more frequently will not improve your results, but will instead increase the risk of any side effects or irritation. Overusing your lash serum will not give you the results you're hoping for, and most lash brands strongly advise against using it more than once a day. The before and after results for lash serums may look amazing, but you need to keep in mind that it’s a process, not an instant fix!

If this is your first time using a lash serum, or a similar lash product labeled with ‘lash-enhancing’ properties, we highly advise you start by using it two to three times a week and building up to once a day when your lashes become more accustomed to the product.

Can You Use a Lash Serum With Eyelash Extensions?

The answer really depends on which type of lash serum you are using, because there are so many on the market. First of all, you need to determine whether or not this serum is safe to use with eyelash extensions by referring back to the manufacturer, supplier, or brand you have purchased from to check that it doesn't have any ingredients that could negatively impact lash retention, such as mineral oil or coconut oil. If your product doesn't contain any ingredients that could affect the glue bonds or the synthetic lashes themselves, then theoretically yes, it’s safe to use a lash serum on eyelash extensions.

If you were to use a lash-growth serum on your eyelash extensions, this will encourage the natural lashes to grow faster, due to the serum's impact on the lash cycle, and the natural lashes will stay in the hair follicles for longer than usual. This in turn, will increase the likelihood of needing lash infills much sooner than you would normally. So really, there aren’t many pros to using a lash serum if you already have lash extensions - it won’t help to prolong the life of your lash extensions, but actually the opposite!

If you want to achieve an ‘elevated natural lash' look, maybe opt for a lash lift or a set of gorgeous Classic lashes instead? Or, if your natural lashes are a little bit weaker but you still really want a beautiful set of lash extensions, then it might be worth trying a lash serum and waiting until your lashes are a bit healthier before you get eyelash extensions. This would be a better option for you, rather than taking a risk with eyelash extensions that are too heavy for your natural lashes to hold. 

If you want to use an eyelash serum whilst wearing lash extensions, make sure that it has a lightweight formula and not a thick and oily serum, as this will lead to the lashes clumping together, and they’ll be a nightmare to clean and brush. 

AVOID: Hormone-based serums usually have major side effects, so we highly recommend NOT using these types of serums, and instead search for a peptide-based serum with more natural ingredients such as biotin, as they are much safer. The Inlei® Adiutrix Lash and Brow Serum is a great option! Although it may take longer for a peptide-based serum to take effect, usually a couple of months before you see results, we promise they are totally worth it! And in Adiutrix's case, it works all the way from the bulb of the hairs, to increase their health right from the root.

Hormone-based serums have dangerous side effects such as:

• Itchiness
• Pigmentation of the iris/iris changing color (can be permanent)
• Eye drooping
• Hyperpigmentation on the eyelid
• Hair growth in other areas (eg. underneath the eyelid)
• General eye irritation and swelling

Not to mention any changes to your hormone levels can have a big impact on your eyelash extensions retention, so if you're looking to double up you should definitely avoid hormone based lash serums.

If you are dying to get your hands on a much-coveted eyelash serum, we hope it goes well for you! If you want to know if you can use a lash serum with a lash lift click here.