Health. Eyelashes: What are the dangers of this new social media trend?

Yet another TikTok trend is putting those who try it at risk. Following the hashtag SkinnyTok, users of the platform are posting videos showing themselves shaving or trimming their eyelashes.

The goal: to appear more manly, while long, curled eyelashes are supposedly the preserve of women and a symbol of femininity. A debatable goal; the risks to eye health, however, are indisputable. Eyelashes actually act as a protective mechanical barrier for the eyes.

They hold the eyelids

"They are located at the free edge of the eyelid, this transition zone between the two sides of the eyelid," explains Dr. Romain Nicolau, ophthalmic surgeon and co-founder of the Voltaire Institute. "Their primary role is to protect the eye, including the cornea, from external aggressions. They filter pollen, pollution, allergens, and dust, and prevent them from entering the eye."

Another role: maintaining the shape of the eyelid. "Eyelashes are, in a way, the framework of the eye. Located along the entire free edge, they ensure good-quality eyelids, which, as we age, will not droop or become deformed. They play a structural role that allows the eyelid to maintain a rounded and harmonious shape."

Shaving your body hair, or even cutting it very short, poses a real short-term risk to eye health. Dr. Nicolau states:

• conjunctivitis: an inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye, the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and part of the eyeball. This can be viral, bacterial, irritative or allergic;
• keratitis: an inflammation of the cornea, the transparent part of the eye located in front of the iris;
• dry eye: "this will occur in the medium term. The Meibomian glands secrete the oily part of tears and will inevitably be damaged by this aggression from the electric razor."

The gesture itself also presents a risk: waving a razor or a pair of scissors a few millimeters from the eyelid and in hygienic conditions that are probably not always optimal.

"A cut to the eyelid or even a section of the tear glands can occur. These microtraumas again create risks of infections, inflammation, or orbital cellulitis," lists Dr. Nicolau.

This infection affects the tissue of the eye socket and can spread behind the eyelid and cause an extremely serious infection.

Eyelashes, protection against UV rays

Eyelashes, when growing back, can also grow in the wrong direction . "The eyelash retracts inside the eye and constantly rubs against the cornea: the eye is red, watery, and constantly irritated. A decrease in vision may be observed. Treatment is imperative."

In the long term, for those who would like to shave their eyelashes for several months or even years, the specialist mentions possible deformations of the eyelid.

But also risks related to eye exposure to the sun's rays. This is confirmed by a study published in 2021 on the eye protection provided by eyelashes against ultraviolet rays. Eyelashes reduce the UV rays received by the cornea by an average of 12 to 14%.

Source: Interview with Dr. Romain Nicolau