Lash serums often contain active ingredients known as prostaglandin analogues. It was first discovered that they cause lash growth and increased volume of the lashes when a medication, bimatoprost, was used for patients with glaucoma and their fuller lashes were reported as a side effect. This lead to lash serums with bimatoprost and other similar chemicals, prostaglandin analogues, being developed.
Side effects of prostaglandin lash serums are rare but it’s important you know about the potential for these side effects before using them They include iris pigmentation or discolouration of the iris, pigmentation of the eyelid, fat loss around the eye and irritation of the eye.
It can be tricky to see whether or not your lash serum has a prostaglandin analogue in it. PGAs banned for use in cosmetic products in Canada include: Alprostadil, Bimatoprost, Cloprostenol, Dinoprostone, Epoprostenol, Flurprostenol, Latanoprost, Misoprostol, Tafluprost, Travoprost, Treprostinil, Unoprostone, Dehydrolatanoprost, Ethyl travoprostamide, Trifluoromethyl dechloro ethylprostenolamide, Isopropyl phenylhydroxypentene dihydroxycyclopentylheptenate and Isopropyl cloprostenate.
These potential side effects of lash serums are rare but risk outweighs benefit for me!
Taking Care of Eyelid Skin and Eyelashes:
Keep eyelid skin clean, hydrated and moisturised for healthy lashes. Don’t skip your omegas and collagen supplements for dewy, glowing skin. There is evidence that omegas and collagen support hair growth so they may potentially help our lashes too. Consider using an oil based cleansing balm to gently wash mascara off; don’t drag the skin. This can pull eye lashes out! And keep use of eye lash curlers to a minimum where possible. I’m often asked about lash lifts and eyelash extensions. We don’t have log term data on potential side effects of lash lifts yet so watch this space; personally, I’m going to hold off on a lash lift. The skin around the eyes and eye lashes are too sensitive to take chances in my opinion. Eyelash extensions have not been shown to cause any negative side effects in the same way that PGA lash serums do; if you use lash extensions keep them clean to avoid eyelash and or eyelid irritation. Watch out for any reactions to acrylates. Acrylates are commonly used for eyelash glue. They’re a very common cause of allergic contact dermatitis so if you see irritation developing, take a break and discuss a patch test with your health care provider.