Men’s movies removing eyelashesby pruning or shaving, they were It circulates on social media In recent weeks. This trend is based on the idea that compact eyelashes look more male.
Hair can tell us a lot about our social and cultural values. As a Canadian sociologist Anthony Synott saysHe can represent built -in ideas about biological sex, such as “the opposite sexes have opposite hair”, and “hair on the body is opposite.”
But do sex differences have any basics in biology? What about threats to health of manipulation of your eyelashes?
If the idea of a buzzing razor approaching your eyes annoys you, there is a good reason.
Does sex determine the length of the eyelashes?
Most toasty blood animals have eyelashes. Human eyelashes Start developing In the uterus after about seven weeks and six months they are fully created.
We usually have 100 to 150 eyelashes on the upper eyelid, which grow in two or three rows. There are half less eyelashes on the bottom cover.
The length of the eyelashes is usually About a third of the eye width. Lower eyelashes are shorter (6-8 millimeters) compared to the upper eyelashes (8-12 mm).
Density, length, thickness and rolling lashes They are determined by your genetics. But it is No evidence These anatomical differences are related sex.
This means that the idea that men “naturally” have compact eyelashes – and women are longer, darker and thicker – they are based on culture, not in biology.
Regardless of sex or sex, eyelashes have several critical functions.
Why eyelashes?
Security
Eyelashes ensure barrier Against dust, debris, worms, bacteria and chemicals (such as hairspray and deodorants), stopping them from entering the eyes.
Tears form a liquid layer that covers the eye to lubricate it. Eyelashes also prevent the air from drying out.
WITH Aerodynamic point of viewMedium length eyelashes (8 mm) are ideal for stopping the eye surface from drying. Very compact eyelashes can expose the surface to the air, while very long eyelashes can direct more air towards it.
Also eyelashes shield Our eyes from dazzling, reducing how much delicate enters the eye by up to 24%.
Feeling
Eyelashes are very sensitive, so touching eyelashes causes a blink reflex, which makes the eye closed. This It protects it from unwanted materials.
Winking also activates the release of tears and spreads them on the surface of the eyes.
Social interaction
Eyelashes assist us communicate. It flashes slowly can signal Mindfulness or flirting – and eyelashes make it more attractive.
Wearing mascara or phony eyelashes emphasizes Eyelashes and can make the eyes look larger and more expressive.
Dusidara Stocker/Shutterstock
What if you don’t have eyelashes?
People can lose eyelashes for various reasons.
For example, cancer chemotherapy often causes a hair accident – including eyelashes – just like alopeciaAutoimmune condition, which causes the body to attack its own hair follicles.
Some people also pull out eyelashes when they are restless or stressed.
If you can’t stop this behavior and the loss of eyelashes is noticeable and affects your daily life, you may have a state name Trichotillomania.
The compulsion to cut or shave hair (instead of pulling it out) is known as Trichothemia.
If you are worried, you should talk to your doctor to get support.
Read more: “I wanted to stop … but I also wanted to pull.” 1 in 50 people have trichotillomania-new memories unpack compulsive hair breakdown
No matter how lost hair without eyelashes you will probably feel more discomfort. More foreign particles can enter the eye – exposing you to a greater risk of infection – and you will blink to wash them off.
More air on the surface of the eyes can also make them feel parched and irritated.
Is eyelash removal risky?
Laying pointed blades near the eyes means that if you are hit, slipped, and even blink, you risk injuries of eyelid or cornea (see-through dome -shaped cover at the front of the eyeball).
Everything that is approaching your eye should be very tidy. If the blades are not sterile, bacteria can lead Eyelid inflammation (eyelid inflammation) or conjunctivitis (“Pink Eye”).
Will shaved eyelashes grow?

Art4stock/Shutterstock
Yes. If the eyelashes are cropped or shaved, the hair bulb and the follicle (the bag surrounding the hair) remain in the skin of the eyelids, allowing the hair to grow.
Eyelashes are growing On average 0.12 mm per day or 3.6 mm per month. They grow to their typical length can take up to three or four months.
Shaving does not affect the length, thickness and darkness of your refluets – they will grow the same as before (unless irreversible damage to the follicle itself has occurred).
Sex, gender and eyelashes
The perception of sex and sexual differences in eyelashes persists, partly thanks to social norms and media performances.
For example, 2023 test 319 people (142 men and 177 women) with various ethnic origin about eyelash length in women were surveyed from the United States. Men and women from all environments said that the images of women without or compact eyelashes were the least attractive, regardless of ethnic origin.
Cartoon characters illustrate how deeply rooted and socially constructed these sexual differences. Compare long, hefty minnie eyelashes mice with Mickey Mouse, which is not there.

Loren Javier/FlickrIN CC BY-NC-ND
This is not a past, because male and female characters from a popular cartoon for children Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Still demonstrate.

Zagtoon Week
In fact, all bodies and features, including eyelashes, are naturally diverse.
Body autonomy means that personal elections regarding appearance are critical and should be respected without judgment. But when changing the body, it is critical to know health threats.