Some cultures believe that the body offers clues about our overall well-being. This is exactly what the concept of sanpaku eyes is all about.

Let’s discuss this topic to understand the relationship between mind, body, and spirit and learn what traditional Western medicine says about this eye trait.

What are Sanpaku Eyes?

Sanpaku eyes is a Japanese term. Essentially, it refers to a specific eye appearance in which the white part of the eye—known as the sclera⁠—is visible not only on the sides of the iris (the colored part) but also above or below it.

In Japanese face reading, sanpaku eyes are considered more than an aesthetic feature. They offer clues about our emotional state, physical health, and spiritual path.

Who Created the Term?

A Japanese macrobiotic theorist, George Ohsawa, first described sanpaku in 1965. In his book “You Are All Sanpaku,” Ohsawa claimed that “any sign of sanpaku meant that a man’s entire system—physical, physiological and spiritual—was out of balance” and could signify an “early and tragic end.”

Ohsawa claimed to have predicted the death of Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1963. President Kennedy had sanpaku eyes.

Face-reading traditions in Asian cultures agree that sanpaku eyes can indicate someone’s fate. Although theorists can base their claims on real-life examples, there’s no scientific evidence to back them up.

Types of Sanpaku Eyes

There are two types of sanpaku eyes⁠—yin sanpaku, where the white shows beneath the iris, and yang sanpaku, where the white is visible above.

We created a table to easily show the traits associated with the different types of sanpaku eyes:

It’s important to note that these interpretations are not scientifically validated and shouldn’t be considered definitive diagnoses.

What’s the Medical Perspective on Sanpaku Eyes?

"Sanpaku" isn't a medical term. In Western medicine, we refer to this as "scleral show," which means the white part of the eye (sclera) is more visible than usual. This can happen for various reasons.

Different factors that can contribute to the appearance of the scleral show include:

• Genetics. Like eye color and hair texture, the shape and size of your eyes can be inherited. If your parents or grandparents had sanpaku eyes, it's not uncommon for you to have them, too.
• Aging. As we age, the skin around our eyes loses elasticity and starts to sag. This can cause the lower eyelids to droop, revealing more of the sclera beneath the iris.
• Medical conditions. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disease or problems with the eyelid muscles, can lead to increased scleral show in some cases.

Are Sanpaku Eyes a Sign of Health Problems?

The scleral show is generally considered a normal variation in eye anatomy and doesn't indicate any underlying health issues. 

Some researchers believe that the visibility of the sclera might have evolutionary benefits. The "cooperative eye hypothesis" suggests that seeing the white of someone's eye helps us interpret their gaze direction and emotions, enhancing communication and social interaction.

How are Sanpaku Eyes Interpreted in Holistic Medicine?

From a holistic perspective, sanpaku eyes can be viewed as a potential indicator of imbalance in the body. This could manifest as chronic fatigue, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal irregularities.

Some holistic practitioners believe that lifestyle factors can contribute to the appearance of sanpaku eyes. These include:

• Stress
• Poor diet
• Lack of sleep

However, it's crucial to remember that Western medicine doesn't attribute specific health conditions to sanpaku eyes. If you have this eye characteristic and are concerned about your health, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation.

Do Sanpaku Eyes Require Treatment?

The scleral show typically doesn’t require treatment. The lower scleral show, or yang sanpaku eyes, are often considered desirable.

However, scleral show that develops as a result of the aging process can lead to dry eye syndrome. If this occurs, your eye doctor may recommend using artificial tears to keep your eyes moist.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers have also been shown to reduce lower scleral show in people with sagging cheeks.

What Celebrities Have Sanpaku Eyes?

Sanpaku eyes gained popularity in Western culture after face readers identified the trait in American President John F. Kennedy. 

Since then, many celebrities with this distinct eye appearance have been identified. Billie Eilish is a current example of yin sanpaku eyes.

Like President Kennedy, some of these celebrities’ fates seemingly justify the Japanese theory as documented by Ohsawa. Here are some examples:

• Princess Diana of Wales (yin sanpaku eyes). Died at age 36 following a car crash
• Michael Jackson (yin sanpaku eyes). Died at age 50 of a drug overdose
• Marilyn Monroe (yin sanpaku eyes). Died at age 36 of a sedative drug overdose
• Takeoff (Kirsnick Khari Ball) (yin sanpaku eyes). Died at 28 after a tragic shooting 
• Elvis Presley (yin sanpaku eyes). Died at age 42 following years of drug use

Serial killer Charles Manson is shown with yang sanpaku eyes in some photos. But in others, his eyes appear normal.

Interpretations of sanpaku eyes may vary depending on cultural and medical perspectives. If you have concerns about your health, we suggest consulting a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Nearly everyone has found a stray eyelash on their cheek at some point in time. 

Like the hair on the rest of your body, eyelash hairs fall out and regrow in a natural growth cycle. It’s normal to lose 1 to 5 eyelashes each day.² Aside from this natural cycle, certain underlying conditions and medical treatments can cause excessive eyelash loss.

Most of the time, eyelashes grow back on their own. If you want to speed up the regrowth process, prescription products and home remedies may help.

Do Eyelashes Grow Back? 

Eyelashes typically grow back. However, there are some exceptions. Conditions that may prevent or change eyelash regrowth include:

• Damaged eyelid or lash follicles. The lash won’t regrow if there’s been permanent damage to the eyelid skin or eyelash hair follicle.
• Medical treatments. People who get chemotherapy often have their lashes grow back. But the hairs may be shorter or thinner than they used to be.
• Medical conditions. Most of the time, treating the underlying condition can help get the growth cycle back on track.

How Long Do Eyelashes Take to Grow Back? 

Eyelashes take about 4 to 10 weeks to regrow. However, they might take longer depending on the cause of lash loss. For example, pulled or burned lashes can take 6 weeks to a couple of months to grow back.⁴ 

For people with a health condition causing eyelashes to fall out, hair growth may not resume until the medical condition is treated and managed. People with alopecia areata can be effectively treated with a topical bimatoprost-induced eyelash growth serum.⁵ 

What is the Eyelash Growth Cycle?

The natural eyelash life cycle takes 5 to 11 months. It consists of three phases:

Anagen Phase

Also known as the growth phase, anagen lasts about 1 to 2 months. During this phase, eyelashes grow longer and more pigmented (darker in color). The longer this phase lasts, the larger the eyelash.

Catagen Phase

Catagen is a transition phase that lasts approximately 15 days. This is when the lash hair stops growing, and the follicle shrinks.

Telogen Phase

This is the longest phase of the eyelash cycle, lasting 4 to 9 months. Also known as the resting phase, nearly all of your eyelashes are in telogen at any given time.

Throughout telogen, nothing significant happens to the eyelash until it’s ready to fall out. After that, anagen happens again.

Why Do Eyelashes Fall Out?

Chronic eyelash loss (also called madarosis) can signify an underlying medical condition. Common health conditions that cause eyelashes to fall out include:

• Eyelid disorders. These are caused by clogged oil glands at the base of eyelashes, leading to inflammation and follicle damage
• Eyelash pulling. Trichotillomania is a psychological condition that causes a person to pull out their eyelashes (usually to relieve stress). 
• Skin cancer of the eyelid. This can cause localized lash loss and interrupt eyelash regrowth.
• Alopecia areata. This autoimmune disease causes the body’s immune system to attack hair follicles, leading to hair loss.
• Thyroid conditions. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause lash loss due to too much or too few hormones.
• Scleroderma. This autoimmune disease causes the hardening and tightening of the skin and has been associated with hair loss.

Certain medications, chronic stress, and nutritional deficiencies (iron, zinc, niacin) are less common causes of eyelash loss. 

4 Ways to Encourage or Speed Up Regrowth

1. Eyelash growth serum 

Various eyelash growth serums on the market are proven to stimulate active growth.

The most common lash serums stem from topical bimatoprost 0.03%, approved by the FDA to increase lash length and thickness and make them darker. Bimatoprost is also used to treat glaucoma.⁵ 

Common growth serum products include:

• Latisse. A prescription-based lash serum approved by the FDA.
• Castor oil. This isn’t scientifically proven to stimulate eyelash growth but can improve luster and thickness.
• Olive oil. The antioxidant properties of this common kitchen oil help condition lashes and promote healthy follicles.
• Eyelash serums. Many over-the-counter eyelash serums claim to produce similar results as Latisse. However, keep in mind that Latisse is the only FDA-approved eyelash serum.

2. Multivitamins

Vitamins are essential for hair growth and healthy lashes. Multivitamin supplements can help you get daily doses of specific vitamins linked to hair growth, including:⁹

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Complex B vitamins
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A

3. Healthy diet

What you eat plays a significant role in eyelash growth. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to hair loss.¹⁰ 

Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and protein ensures you get the proper vitamins and minerals. To encourage eyelash growth, you should include the following in your diet:

• Protein has amino acids that stimulate keratin production and keep eyelashes strong and healthy.
• Biotin is a vitamin linked to hair health and found in various foods, including whole grains, broccoli, cauliflower, and nuts.
• Iron is essential for eyelash regrowth, and an iron deficiency (anemia) can lead to hair loss.
• Niacin helps keep hair follicles rich with oxygen and is found in meat, avocado, green peas, and peanuts.

4. Change your makeup 

Many mascaras and cosmetics also contain biotin, peptides, and vitamins that nourish lashes and promote hair growth. 

Switching your eye makeup to include products that contain these ingredients can leave you with lush, beautiful lashes.

How to Prevent Eyelash Loss

Eyelashes are a big part of our appearance. Daily habits and behavior changes can help prevent unnecessary eyelash loss.  

Try incorporating these tips into your daily routine:

• Skip the eyelash curlers 
• Avoid rubbing your eyes 
• Gently remove eye makeup and avoid tugging on lashes
• Wash your face and lashes before bed 
• Be careful when removing eyelash extensions and false eyelashes

Summary

Eyelashes do grow back. They follow a natural hair growth cycle; losing a couple of eyelashes a day is typical. However, certain medical conditions and medications can cause extensive eyelash loss. 

The good news is that eyelashes typically grow back in 4 to 10 weeks. Eyelashes that were pulled out or burned may take longer to regrow. Medical treatments and home remedies may help expedite the regrowth process.

Latisse (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%) is a prescription medication that promotes eyelash growth, improving their length, thickness, and darkness. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for eyelash hypotrichosis (inadequate lashes).

Despite its current use, you might be surprised that bimatoprost, Latisse’s active ingredient, was first used to treat glaucoma (as LUMIGAN); the eyelash-growth use came later.

In this article, we’ll discuss how Latisse works, how to use it carefully, and how it can affect your eyes if you’re not careful.

How Does Latisse Work?

Latisse belongs to a class of medications known as prostaglandin analogs. It was initially developed to treat elevated intraocular pressure (eye pressure). 

However, doctors discovered that this medication significantly extends eyelashes' anagen (growth) phase, allowing them to grow longer and thicker before naturally shedding.

How Effective Is Latisse?

In clinical trials, regular nightly application resulted in eyelashes that were, on average, 25% longer and 106% thicker after 16 weeks. However, it's essential to maintain realistic expectations.

Noticeable results typically become visible around 8 weeks and fully develop by 16 weeks. However, the improvements aren’t permanent.

If you stop using Latisse, your lashes gradually revert to their original length and fullness. Here’s a general timeline of the results most people see with consistent use:

• 4 weeks. Increased eyelash length
• 8 weeks. Thicker, darker lashes
• 12 weeks. Enhanced results compared to previous weeks
• 16 weeks. Dramatically thicker, darker, and longer lashes

What Happens When You Stop Using Latisse?

Continue the treatment until you complete the full 16-week course even if you’re satisfied earlier. If you stop using Latisse, your eyelashes will gradually return to their previous appearance.

After 16 weeks, your lashes should be noticeably fuller. At this point, talk to your doctor about ongoing Latisse treatment. The FDA label recommends once-nightly application; any reduced-frequency “maintenance” use is off-label and should be guided by your clinician.

What are the Side Effects of Latisse?

Like any medication, Latisse can cause side effects. However, most side effects are mild and reversible, occurring in 3 to 4% of users. 

The most common side effects include:

• Itchy, red eyes
• Mild irritation
• Temporary darkening of the eyelid skin
• Periorbitopathy (changes to the fat around your eyes)

One rare side effect is the darkening of your iris (iris pigmentation). This is likely permanent. 

Also, be aware that if you wear contact lenses, Latisse can discolor them. Always remove your lenses before applying the solution and wait 15 minutes before putting them back in.

Who Should Avoid Using Latisse?

Latisse isn't suitable for everyone. You should avoid or carefully consider using Latisse if you:

• Have active eye infections or inflammation (e.g., uveitis)
• Are using intraocular pressure-lowering medications for glaucoma (due to possible interactions)
• Have macular edema
• Are aphakic, or are pseudophakic with a torn posterior lens capsule, or have other risk factors for macular edema
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding (consult your doctor first, as safety data is limited)

How to Prevent Problems

If you want to use Latisse safely and reduce the risk of irritation or infection, consider the following:

• Use one sterile applicator per eye every night and never reuse applicators.
• Do not apply Latisse to your lower eyelid.
• Remove contact lenses before applying, and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them.
• Avoid excess drops, as using more doesn't enhance results.

If you develop a new eye condition or infection, seek prompt medical advice about whether to continue; you may be advised to pause use.

You should also contact your doctor if you experience an allergic reaction to Latisse, an infection, or decreased vision.

How Much Does Latisse Cost?

Because Latisse is prescription-only, you must first consult a medical professional, either in person at a doctor's office or via telehealth consultation.

In the U.S. in 2025, a brand-name 5 mL bottle typically costs about $170 to $235, while discounted generics can be around $55 to $70 depending on pharmacy and coupons. As insurers consider Latisse cosmetic, it's rarely covered by standard health insurance.

Alternative Options to Latisse

You can try alternative products or home remedies if you’re looking for fuller lashes but don’t want to use Latisse.

Cosmetic aisles are stocked with over-the-counter (OTC) eyelash serums that promise similar effects to Latisse. However, isopropyl cloprostenate, the prostaglandin analog often found in these items, is not FDA-approved. The safety and efficacy of OTC products are largely unknown.

Various natural remedies that reputedly encourage and enhance eyelash growth include:

• Castor oil
• Aloe Vera
• Vitamin E
• Green tea
• Olive oil

You can apply these treatments to your lashes using a clean mascara brush or cotton swab. Then, leave overnight and rinse in the morning. While these treatments are popular, little scientific evidence supports claims of lash growth.