Men are turning to an unusual new grooming trend in a bid to look more masculine: cutting or shaving off their eyelashes.
Social media videos show men trimming their lashes with scissors, clippers and other grooming tools, apparently in the belief that shorter eyelashes create a tougher or more traditionally masculine appearance. Reports have also highlighted barbers being asked to perform the unusual treatment, although it is unclear how widespread the trend really is.
But ophthalmologists have warned that deliberately cutting healthy eyelashes is unnecessary and can expose the eyes to avoidable risks. Far from being purely decorative, eyelashes help protect the eye from dust and debris, while also triggering the blink reflex when something comes into contact with them.
Why Are Men Cutting Their Eyelashes?
The trend appears to be driven by the idea that longer eyelashes are feminine, with some men seeking a shorter and less noticeable look.
Social media posts have helped fuel interest, with videos showing men having their eyelashes trimmed and discussions about whether the grooming treatment makes them look more masculine. However, viral content can make niche behaviour appear more widespread than it actually is, and there is no reliable evidence showing that large numbers of men are taking part.
The idea that eyelashes are inherently feminine is also more cultural than biological. Eyelash length and density vary naturally between individuals, and there is no simple biological rule that says men should have short eyelashes while women should have long ones.
For those following the trend, however, the potential downside is much more straightforward.
Eyelashes Have an Important Job
Eyelashes are part of the eye's natural defence system.
According to Cleveland Clinic ophthalmologist Dr. Nicole Trovato, eyelashes act as a barrier that reduces the amount of dust and debris reaching the surface of the eye. Their natural curve can also help divert substances such as sweat and other irritants away from the eye.
They are also highly sensitive. When something touches the lashes, the sensation can trigger the automatic blink reflex, helping close the eyelids before an object reaches the eye.
Cutting the lashes does not remove this reflex entirely, but it can reduce some of the protection provided by the hairs.
There is also evidence that eyelashes may help reduce tear evaporation. Dr. Nicole Bajic, an ophthalmologist at Cleveland Clinic's Cole Eye Institute, has said lashes may help protect the tear film, the thin layer of liquid that keeps the surface of the eye lubricated.
The Risk of Cutting So Close to the Eye
Perhaps the most obvious concern is what happens when sharp scissors, clippers or razors are used directly beside the eye.
One sudden movement could injure the eyelid or the cornea, the transparent surface at the front of the eye. Experts have also warned that cutting lashes too short can reduce their protective function and potentially increase exposure to debris, irritation and infection.
Dr. Trovato has warned that trimming eyelashes can contribute to eyelid inflammation, while disrupting the tear film may leave the eyes feeling dry or itchy.
That does not mean everyone who trims their eyelashes will develop an infection. Rather, the concern is that removing a natural protective barrier provides little medical benefit while introducing unnecessary risks.
Will Eyelashes Grow Back?
There is some reassuring news for anyone who has already tried the trend.
Eyelashes generally grow back when their follicles remain intact. Dr. Trovato says lashes should regrow after cutting if the follicles have not been damaged, although repeated trauma, inflammation or infection can interfere with regrowth.
Dr. Bajic has also said that eyelashes typically grow back within around six to 10 weeks after trimming. She recommends that people who have already cut their lashes consider wearing sunglasses more frequently to provide additional protection from debris while the lashes grow back.
Importantly, there is no evidence that cutting eyelashes makes them grow back thicker or longer.
When Eyelashes Need To Be Removed
There are situations where eyelashes may need to be trimmed or removed, but these are medical rather than cosmetic. For example, trichiasis occurs when eyelashes grow inwards towards the eye and rub against the cornea or conjunctiva. In such cases, a doctor may remove problematic lashes or recommend another treatment.
Dr. Bajic says eyelash removal can sometimes be appropriate when lashes grow in abnormal directions and cause problems, but she does not recommend trimming or removing healthy eyelashes simply for cosmetic reasons.
Anyone who experiences significant eye pain, persistent redness, light sensitivity or changes in vision after trimming their eyelashes should seek medical advice.
For a trend designed to make men look tougher, the irony is that the eyelashes being removed protect one of the body's most delicate organs. Eye specialists say there is little to gain from cutting healthy lashes, and the risk of irritation or accidental injury makes this bizarre grooming craze one that may be better left on social media.
