Does Crying Make Your Eyelashes Longer? Myths, Facts & Growth Remedies

Before we dive into the emotional side of lash growth, let’s get the basics right.

The Eyelash Growth Cycle

Like the hair on your scalp, your eyelashes grow in three stages:

🌀 Anagen (Growth Phase)

This is the active phase, where lashes are actively growing. It can last 30–45 days. Not all lashes are in this phase at once.

💤 Catagen (Transition Phase)

Growth stops, and the hair follicle begins to shrink. This phase lasts 2–3 weeks.

🛌 Telogen (Resting Phase)

The lash rests, falls out naturally, and makes way for new growth. This lasts up to 100 days.

Understanding this cycle is essential if you want to know how eyelashes grow and what influences them.

In the world of beauty myths and viral trends, one question keeps popping up:
“Do tears help eyelashes grow?”
At first glance, it sounds poetic—tears falling down and lashes growing longer—but let’s get real. We’re about to bust this myth using actual science and expert-backed facts.

What Are Tears Made Of?

Tears aren’t just salty water—they’re complex. They’re made up of:

• 💧 Water – for hydration

• 🧪 Electrolytes – to balance pH

• 🦠 Enzymes – to fight bacteria

• 🧈 Lipids – to prevent evaporation

These ingredients are essential for eye health, but not for eyelash growth. So while tears keep your eyes lubricated and protected, they don’t contain anything that triggers natural eyelash growth or boosts the eyelash growth cycle.

Is It True That Crying Makes Lashes Longer?

Let’s cut to the chase:
No, crying does not make your eyelashes grow longer.
It’s one of many eyelash growth myths floating around social media.

Here’s what really happens:

✅ What Crying Can Do:

• Increases blood circulation around the eyes

• Hydrates the lash line

• Temporarily enhances the appearance of lashes (they may look fuller or shinier)

But these effects are short-term and cosmetic. Crying doesn’t affect the anagen phase (the active growth stage) of the eyelash growth cycle, which is what actually determines how long your lashes will grow.

Crying and Eyelash Follicles: Any Real Connection?

Eyelash follicles are located beneath your eyelid skin and are not stimulated by tears. For lash growth to happen, follicles need to receive nutrients, hormones, or stimulation—something tear production and lashes don't naturally connect on.

No matter how many tears fall, they won’t signal the follicle to kickstart new growth. That’s why claims like “does crying help eyelashes grow” or “does crying make eyelashes thicker” are completely unfounded.

Side Effects of Excessive Crying on Eyelashes

Ironically, crying too much can actually hurt your lashes, especially if you rub your eyes during the process.

⚠️ Possible Negative Effects Include:

• Eye irritation from salt, makeup, or bacteria

• Weakened eyelashes due to constant rubbing or inflammation

• Increased eyelash loss, particularly during the telogen (shedding) phase

So instead of promoting growth, excessive crying may cause lash fallout—something most people want to avoid.

Let’s be real — long, full lashes make your eyes pop like nothing else. But if you’re tired of fake lashes or frustrated with short, sparse ones, you’ve probably wondered: “Can I really make my natural eyelashes grow?”

The answer? Yes — but only if you follow the right routine.

Forget beauty myths and shortcuts. Below is everything you need to know about how to boost eyelash length, thickness, and strength with proven techniques and natural care.

💧 1. Start With a Lash Growth Serum That Actually Works

One of the most effective ways to stimulate eyelash growth is by using a quality eyelash-enhancing serum.

The gold standard is Latisse, the only FDA-approved treatment for growing longer lashes. It contains bimatoprost, which extends the lash growth phase and encourages lashes to grow fuller and darker over time.

There are also plenty of eyelash conditioners and non-prescription lash serums available. Look for ingredients like:

• Peptides – Boost lash density and volume

• Panthenol – Hydrates and protects

• Biotin (Vitamin B7) – Strengthens lashes and supports hair keratin

These serums won’t change your lashes overnight, but with consistent use, they can enhance lash length and fullness over several weeks.

✨ Tip: Apply serums daily to clean, dry eyelids at the lash line for best results.

🌿 2. Use Natural Oils to Support Eyelash Health

Natural oils can’t technically grow lashes longer, but they do an amazing job of nourishing lash follicles, preventing breakage, and thickening eyelashes over time.

Here are some top natural oils for lash care:

• Castor Oil – The most popular choice for its fatty acids and anti-inflammatory effects

• Coconut Oil – Helps reduce protein loss in hair shafts

• Argan Oil – Contains Vitamin E and antioxidants that support follicle repair

• Jojoba Oil – Mimics your skin’s natural oils, perfect for sensitive eyes

• Vitamin E Oil – Known for repairing weak or brittle lashes

Use a clean spoolie or cotton swab to lightly coat lashes at night. Over time, this natural eyelash treatment helps lashes stay hydrated, flexible, and resilient.

🥗 3. Feed Your Lashes From Within

If you want strong, healthy eyelashes, start by looking at your plate. Just like the hair on your head, lash growth is fueled by nutrition.

For naturally longer lashes, make sure your diet includes:

• Biotin – Essential for hair and lash growth

• Omega-3 fatty acids – Reduce inflammation around follicles

• Zinc and Iron – Help with oxygen flow and follicle health

• Vitamins A, C, D, and E – Support collagen production, immune health, and cell regeneration

These nutrients help create the perfect environment for natural eyelash growth and reduce the risk of lash fallout due to nutrient deficiencies.

🍳 Lash-friendly foods: eggs, almonds, leafy greens, fish, avocados, and sweet potatoes.

🧼 4. Practice a Gentle Eyelash Care Routine

The way you treat your lashes every day makes a big difference. Even with the best products, you won’t see results if your daily habits are working against you.

Follow these eyelash care tips to avoid unnecessary damage:

• Always remove eye makeup gently. Use micellar water or an oil-based cleanser to avoid lash tugging.

• Skip waterproof mascara when you can. It’s harder to remove and puts extra stress on your lashes.

• Go easy on eyelash curlers — especially heated ones.

• Avoid overusing lash extensions or glue. They can weaken and break your natural lashes.

Also, avoid rubbing your eyes — it can loosen your lash roots and lead to lash fallout.

The beauty world is full of viral eyelash tricks, but many are more fiction than fact. Here’s a reality check on some of the most commonly believed lash-related misinformation:

• Tears won’t enhance lash length. While emotional moments might feel cleansing, they don’t affect the lash development cycle in any way.

• Trimming lashes doesn't improve thickness. Unlike cutting hair, snipping lashes won’t trigger stronger or fuller regrowth — it just shortens what’s already there.

• Petroleum jelly can’t stimulate lash growth. Though it’s often praised for hydration, it lacks any active ingredients that support hair regeneration at the root.

• Scalp treatments aren’t safe for eyelid use. Products designed for your head may contain harsh chemicals that can irritate the delicate eye area and damage lash integrity.

🚫 Skip the hype and rely on dermatologist-approved solutions designed specifically for lash enhancement.

No, tears do not help eyelashes grow.

Despite the popular beauty myth, there's no scientific connection between tear production and eyelash growth. While crying may offer brief hydration and a natural cleansing effect for the lash line, it doesn’t influence the eyelash growth cycle, lash thickness, or stimulate the eyelash follicles in any way.

If your goal is to get longer, fuller, and healthier lashes, the smart move isn’t reaching for tissues—it's embracing tried-and-true, lash-friendly beauty habits.

Here’s what to focus on instead:

✅ 1. Proven Eyelash Growth Serums

If you're looking for real results, opt for clinically tested products like:

• FDA-approved eyelash serum such as Latisse, which contains bimatoprost—proven to extend the anagen (growth) phase of lashes.

• Over-the-counter eyelash growth serums with biotin, peptides, and panthenol, which strengthen and protect lashes.

These products directly impact your lash cycle and promote eyelash growth with consistent use.

✅ 2. Eyelash Care Tips That Actually Work

Taking proper care of your lashes every day goes a long way:

• Gently remove makeup to avoid unnecessary lash shedding.

• Avoid rubbing your eyes, especially when emotional or tired.

• Stay away from waterproof mascaras and heavy eyelash extensions that weaken natural lashes over time.

• Use a clean spoolie brush to detangle and stimulate your lashes.

These simple yet powerful steps help prevent lash loss and support natural eyelash growth.

✅ 3. Lash-Nourishing Nutrition

What you put into your body shows up in your lashes too! Eat foods rich in:

• Biotin (Vitamin B7) – strengthens hair and lashes

• Omega-3 fatty acids – nourish hair follicles

• Zinc, Iron, Vitamins A, C, D, E – essential for overall eyelash and eye health

You can also consider supplements if you're not getting enough through diet. Beauty starts from within, especially when it comes to how eyelashes grow naturally.

So go ahead and cry if it helps you emotionally—but don’t expect it to give you Bambi lashes overnight.
Instead, turn your attention to evidence-based lash growth remedies, supportive nutrition, and a gentle lash care routine. That’s how you’ll truly transform your lashes—no myths, just real results.

1. Can tears actually help your eyelashes grow?

Not really. While tears are full of things that are great for keeping your eyes healthy—like water, enzymes, and oils—they don’t do anything to trigger eyelash growth. So if you're wondering “Do tears help eyelashes grow?”, the answer is no—they hydrate but don't lengthen.

2. Is it true that crying too much can make your eyelashes fall out?

Yes, especially if you're rubbing your eyes a lot while crying. That constant friction can weaken your lashes and even cause them to fall out sooner than they naturally would in their eyelash growth cycle. So if you cry often and touch your eyes, it may actually do more harm than good.

3. Why do my eyelashes look longer after I cry?

It's an optical illusion. When you cry, your eyes get watery, lashes clump together slightly, and the skin around your eyes gets red or puffy—all of which makes your lashes appear darker and longer. But it’s temporary, and your lashes haven't actually grown.

4. What really works for growing longer eyelashes?

If you’re serious about boosting lash length, try something proven—like Latisse for eyelashes, which is an FDA-approved eyelash growth serum. Natural lash serums with biotin, castor oil, and peptides can also help strengthen lashes over time. Avoid falling for beauty myths—crying won’t do the job.

5. How can I grow my eyelashes naturally without using harsh products?

There are a few gentle, effective ways to support natural eyelash growth:

• Eat a lash-friendly diet rich in vitamins like A, C, E, and biotin.

• Try natural oils for eyelash growth like castor or coconut oil.

• Be gentle when removing eye makeup, and skip rubbing your eyes.
  With a little consistency and care, you’ll see stronger, fuller lashes—no tears required!