Does Crying Make Your Eyelashes Longer: Myth or Truth?

When it comes to beauty, it’s not always easy to tell what’s true and what’s a myth. One persistent myth is that crying can help improve lash growth through mysterious means. 

So is there any magic to tears that could make your lashes longer? Before you pull up The Notebook on your favorite streaming platform, make sure to read this post and learn the truth. 

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A lot goes on in our body when we cry. Crying happens as a result of direct irritation to the eye area or as a reaction to emotional stimuli. 

We know that the main purpose of tears is to keep the eyes clean and lubricated. Tears add much-needed moisture to the retina and actively remove debris from the eyes and the lash line, preventing irritation and infections. 

And tears aren’t just water! According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, they contain enzymes, lipids (oils), metabolites, and electrolytes (minerals like salt). Some scientists even posit that emotional tears contain additional hormones and proteins! 

So is a good cryfest truly the secret to longer lashes? While tears do include some beneficial components, the science of lash growth is a little more complicated. Unfortunately, crying cannot make your lashes longer. 

Despite this, there are individuals who believe in the connection between emotional tears and eyelash growth. However, it's essential to note that this personal experience doesn't align with scientific findings.

"There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that crying promotes eyelash growth,” opthalmologist Dr. Jovi Boparai of CorneaCare explains. The oils and proteins in your tears aren’t comparable to the powerful peptides and follicle-stimulating ingredients you’ll normally find in a lash serum. While they may help lubricate your lashes and lash line, the overall impact isn’t enough to improve lash growth.  

So where did the myth come from? Tears add sheen and make the lashes clump together, which may contribute to this common misconception. According to Dr. Boparai, it’s also possible that the liquid in the tears temporarily plumps up the lashes, which can make them appear more prominent immediately after crying, but not in the long term. 

Crying may not impact the length of your lashes, but it still offers some benefits! 

Keeps Lashes Clean

Crying can help flush away debris and bacteria stuck between the lashes. Clean lashes are generally healthier, so this can be a real benefit. That said, a sobbing session isn’t an alternative to properly cleansing your lashes, especially if you wear makeup or eyelash extensions. 

Helps Lubricate the Eyes

If you’ve ever had dry eyes, you know how uncomfortable they can be. Crying’s major physiological benefit is keeping the eyes lubricated, which keeps the eyes healthy and protected. Otherwise, you can develop painful or itchy dry eyes. 

Gives Emotional Release

When we cry, our body releases chemicals like oxytocin and endorphins. This is why you feel after a crying session is similar to how you feel after a deep tissue massage or an intense workout: Calmer, but sometimes also a little drained.   

Crying might not be the secret to longer lashes, but it’s still an important physiological response. While you don’t need to sob regularly to keep your eyes healthy, it’s very important that your tear ducts can produce liquid.

Without any tears, you can develop dry eyes, which is a condition that can make the eyes turn red, cause them to feel scratchy and irritated, and disrupt your vision. If left untreated, a lack of tears can actually cause permanent damage to your eyes, potentially leading to vision loss. 

If your eyes don’t produce tears, make sure to speak to a doctor since treatment is often as simple as prescription eye drops.  

If you never actively cry, but your eyes still tear up instinctively when you cut onions or get dust stuck inside, you probably don’t need to worry about dry eyes. That said, crying can be healthy for us on an emotional level. If you never cry, you might want to investigate if there is an underlying mental health reason for it. 

Crying might not make your lashes longer, but eyelash extensions absolutely will. Even better news? You can cry to your heart’s content even while rocking lash extensions - just as long as enough time has passed since the application. 

Professional eyelash extension adhesives can take anywhere from 4 to 24 hours to cure. Moisture speeds up the curing process, which actually makes for a weaker bond. That’s why your lash tech will always tell you to avoid showering or swimming immediately after you’ve had extensions. 

Once that time passes, lash extensions are waterproof, and you can cry as much as you want. Be careful not to rub your eyes since that can damage the lashes. 

If you’re using the Lilac St. DIY lashes, you don’t need to worry about wait times. Our lash adhesives cure quickly, so you can cry soon after applying a set. 

Crying isn’t harmful to the lashes, but what you do when the tears show up does matter. 

According to Dr. Boparai, the associated wiping of tears and eye rubbing can cause eyelashes to fall out. For that reason, it’s very important to avoid aggressively rubbing your eyes. Instead, you can dab at your eyes carefully with a soft cloth or tissue. If you wear makeup, consider removing it completely with a makeup remover.  

Once you’re done crying, if your eyes are swollen or red, you can offer them some relief with a cold compress or a facial roller. Otherwise, care for your lashes just as you would normally by keeping them clean and detangled. 

There are many ways to boost the health of your lashes, which could also help improve lash length. Here are our favorite tips: 

• Use a lash serum: Lash serums are made with ingredients that extend the lash growth cycle, which prevents shedding and allows your lashes to grow longer and denser. It’s by far the most effective way of improving lash growth.  
• Gentle care: Lashes are delicate. They can break or fall off easily when there’s too much friction. Using a gentle makeup remover, taking mascara breaks, and sleeping on your back are great ways to avoid lash shedding. 
• Use mascara: While frequent mascara usage can be damaging, it’s undeniable that nothing beats it for elongating the lashes in the short term. Use mascara when you need to impress! 
• DIY lash extensions: If you want even more lash drama without mascara, DIY lash extensions are great for elongating your lashes at home.  
• A lash lift: A lash lift doesn’t elongate the lashes but actively lifts them up, which works just as well to make them seem longer and more visible. It’s a salon treatment that lasts for 6 to 8 weeks.   

Crying can be wonderfully cathartic every once in a while, but it won’t significantly impact the length of your lashes. You don’t need to go out of your way to cry, but tear production is important for the overall health of your eyes. As for your lashes, rest assured that the best way to get them looking longer is through gentle care and the use of a quality lash serum. No need to cry about it!  

Explore the world of eyelash growth with Lilac St. and learn more articles: 

Understanding Eyelash Regrowth: Do Eyelashes Grow Back Naturally?   

Why Are My Eyelashes Falling Out? 14 Causes and Conditions. 

The Truth Revealed: Does Mascara Make Your Eyelashes Fall Out?

Discover Expert Tips on How to Grow Eyelashes.

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