Tears are a natural response to sadness and joy, but they also happen to be the key to your beauty routine. Everyone has experienced tears (and snot) running down their face when they cry – but does crying make your eyelashes longer?
If you’re experiencing some serious lash envy right now (I’m looking at you, Taylor Swift), don’t fret. Read on to discover if tears accelerate lash growth.
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The Science of Crying and Eyelashes
Crying may have some benefits for your and your eyes.
Not only can your eyesight improve, but because your retina receives oxygen, vitamin A and other nutrients through your tears, including omega-3 essential fatty acids and zinc. However, not everyone experiences longer lashes after a good cry, so what does cause this phenomenon?
One theory suggests that tears are actually a fluid that provides nutrients to the eyeball, which helps improve the health of the eyelashes. For example, human tears contain many essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A (also known as retinol), which helps the skin renew itself.
Another theory is that your emotions can affect the shape of your eyelashes. According to dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, crying can lengthen lashes for some people, while it can make them thinner and less curly for others. While these reports aren’t backed by science, it’s possible that your emotional state affects different parts of your face (or eyelids).
The act of tearing up not only increases your vision and makes your eyes more attractive, but it also helps you shed the emotions that can make your eyes water excessively.
Crying is not only a means of releasing emotions, but it has physical and psychological benefits as well. A crying session has been proven to boost immunity, improve mood, and reduce stress levels.
Benefits of Crying for Eyes
It’s well known that crying is good for the eyes, but did you know it’s also great for the lashes? Here are five reasons why you should let out a good cry:
Removes toxins from the body
During crying, the body releases toxins, which can help you feel better and improve your mood. Whenever you cry, your body releases neuropeptides, which are hormones that improve your mood.
A stress-free form of therapy
Cryologists claim that crying provides greater emotional relief than any other form of therapy because it is free from stress. Tearing is well documented for its positive effects, which range from reducing stress to enhancing creativity.
Cleansing the eyelashes naturally
Crying is known to naturally cleanse eyelashes and stimulate hair growth. Recent studies have shown that sobbing also contributes to the cleansing process, as the high level of lacrimal fluids helps remove debris and bacteria from the eyes. This is why some believe that tears make your eyelashes grow.
Makes your skin look better
There’s a reason we all feel better after a good cry. As it turns out, crying has quite the effect on the skin. Not only does it clear out any skin impurities, but it also gives the skin a healthy glow. Its soothing effects can also do wonders for the skin.
Kicks a bad mood
When you’re feeling blue, crying will help you cheer up. Endorphins, which are produced by tears, can promote a feeling of calmness and relaxation. You can also let go of pent-up stress and tension by crying, releasing natural painkillers like oxytocin and endorphins into your bloodstream.
Makes you strong
Historically, crying has been seen as a sign of weakness. New research shows that crying strengthens you. The internet mocks emotional vulnerability nowadays, so we don’t think how crying can be therapeutic. Unlike anger, this emotion is not destructive and can help to alleviate the negative effects of stress. Crying can also help you to heal, which in the long run might make you stronger. Tears may be a healthy response to difficult emotions, and they may also aid in healing physically and psychologically.
Relieves emotional pain
Crying is a natural response to many emotions such as sadness, anger, frustration, and disappointment. The release of those feelings can help you move on and become more resilient. Moreover, crying provides an outlet for talking about thoughts and feelings. In turn, this reduces the isolation that often accompanies emotional pain.
The Downsides of Crying
Crying can be a cathartic and cleansing experience, but this doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any downsides. Here’s what you need to know before letting those tears flow:
- Makes you feel drained and less competent in the long run.
- Dehydrates you and depletes you of minerals such as potassium. You can strain your eyesight, eye socket, sinuses, throat, and voice box when you cry.
- Attracts unwanted attention – especially from your peers.
- Makes you vulnerable to others who may not be kind or compassionate.
- Too much crying can result in an endless cycle of sadness and depression.
- Despite recovering from a crying fit, the tears just won’t stop.
So, Does Crying Really Make Your Eyelashes Longer?
We have a myth going around that if you cry regularly, your eyelashes will grow longer. But does this work?
Researchers believe the experience is related to how stress hormones like cortisol affect the hair follicles. The release of these hormones may increase growth, but they are unlikely to cause longer eyelashes.
When you have a good cry, tears are constantly being drawn to your eyelashes. Some people believe that the tears are helping your lashes grow longer because it is being constantly washed out with water. This claim, however, has no evidence to support it.
Some claim it will take a few weeks for this effect to occur, but if you’re curious, try crying for a few weeks and see if anything changes! This is just a simple observation, and there are no scientific studies to back it up.
If you’re wondering, no, crying does not ruin eyelash extensions. Tears will not affect the extensions since they are applied to the natural lash.
How to Make Your Eyelashes Longer
Let’s get to the real question. How can you make your eyelashes longer without crying?
- Use an eyelash curler: Curling your lashes with a heated eyelash curler before you apply mascara will help them look longer.
- Apply a lengthening mascara: There are several mascaras on the market that are designed to make your lashes look longer.
- Try a primer: A primer can help your lashes look longer by providing a base for your mascara to adhere to.
- Wear false eyelashes instead of mascara: This will give your lashes a longer look while still making them appear thicker.
- Choose a cruelty-free mascara: Some people use cruelty-free products because they believe that animal testing is wrong, while others may simply want to find a product that does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. Whatever your reason, there are plenty of great cruelty-free mascaras to choose from.
- Take eyelash growth supplements: Several supplements exist that can help you grow your lashes. One is biotin, which is a vitamin that is often taken to help grow hair. Another option is fish oil, which adds healthy fats to your hair follicles. Finally, there is folate, which is found in leafy greens and beans.
The takeaway
Does crying make your eyelashes longer? Yes and no. Your lashes do appear longer when you cry, but the effect is only temporary. In fact, the opposite may be true – extended periods of crying could lead to lashes falling out. When you cry next, notice how your eyelashes look and try it on for size. So while you may feel better after a good cry, don’t expect your lashes to magically grow longer.
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