The idea that tears, especially those shed during a deep cry, can stimulate eyelash growth suggests that the moisture or nutrients within the tear fluid somehow nourish the hair follicles, leading to longer, fuller lashes. However, the scientific answer is definitive: crying does not make your eyelashes grow. The biological mechanisms governing eyelash hair growth are entirely internal and are not influenced by the external presence of tear fluid.
The Science of Tears and Eyelash Follicles
Tears are a complex biological fluid, but their composition does not include the growth factors necessary to activate hair follicles. The fluid is approximately 98% water, with the remainder consisting of electrolytes, lipids, and proteins like lysozyme, which serves an antibacterial function. Emotional tears also contain stress hormones such as prolactin and adrenocorticotropic hormone, which are excreted during distress.
None of these components are designed to interact with the dermal papilla, the structure responsible for hair production. Hair growth is governed by internal signals, blood supply, and genetic programming, not by external moisture or the salinity of tears. The tear film washes away debris and does not penetrate the skin deep enough to affect the cells that regulate the hair cycle.
How Eyelashes Really Grow
Eyelash growth is a strictly regulated process that occurs in a three-phase cycle, similar to the hair on the scalp, but with much shorter timing. The first stage is the Anagen phase, the period of active growth where the cells in the follicle rapidly divide. For eyelashes, this phase is remarkably short, lasting only about 30 to 45 days. This short duration is the primary reason why eyelashes never grow as long as scalp hair.
After active growth ceases, the lash enters the Catagen phase, a short transition period lasting around two to three weeks. During this time, the hair follicle shrinks and detaches from the dermal papilla, cutting off its blood supply and halting growth. If a lash falls out or is plucked during this stage, the follicle remains dormant until the phase completes.
The final stage is the Telogen phase, a prolonged resting stage where the lash is fully formed but remains in place until it naturally sheds. This resting period can last for approximately 100 days before the entire cycle begins anew. The length of these phases ultimately determines the maximum length of your lashes and is controlled entirely by your genetics.
Elements That Influence Eyelash Health
Since tears do not influence eyelash length, focus should shift to factors that support lash health and retention. Genetics is the primary determinant of your lash length and density, controlling the duration of the Anagen growth phase. Overall body nutrition also plays a significant role in providing the building blocks for keratin, the protein that makes up hair.
A diet rich in protein, Biotin (Vitamin B7), and Vitamins E and C can help strengthen the hair structure and promote healthy follicle function. Gentle care is paramount, as excessive rubbing or aggressive makeup removal can cause premature shedding, interrupting the natural cycle. For those seeking scientifically confirmed growth stimulation, medically regulated lash serums containing prostaglandin analogs are proven to lengthen the Anagen phase, offering the only true method for extending the natural growth period.