There’s a new trend on social media, especially on TikTok, of men shaving off all of their eyelashes as a supposed symbol of masculinity. The practice, which has gained resonance in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom and has reached thousands of views, is now spreading among young Brazilians and worrying eye health experts.
This act may seem harmless, but it carries a series of risks. “Eyelashes are not only around the eyes for aesthetic reasons, they perform essential functions to protect the surface of the eye and its proper functioning,” highlights ophthalmologist Lucas Zago Ribeiro, from the Einstein Israelita Hospital in Goiânia.
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These tiny threads act as a physical barrier against dust, dirt and microorganisms, and also help filter air and UV rays. They are also very sensitive and trigger a blink reflex when they detect something approaching. They also help reduce tear evaporation and prevent dry eyes.
By removing them unnecessarily, all these protection mechanisms are compromised. The main immediate danger is injury to sensitive structures, such as the cornea and eyelid margins. “Using blades or sharp objects near the eyes can also cause serious and painful injuries, potentially compromising vision,” warns Zago.
In addition to the risk of cuts, particles from the eyelashes themselves can fall onto the surface of the eye during scraping, causing irritation, inflammation, or infection. Prolonged absence of hair also increases exposure to dust, wind and microorganisms, leading to blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), recurrent infections and chronic dry eyes, which often cause a gritty feeling, itching and redness.
Each eye contains between 150 and 250 eyelashes, and their average growth ranges from four to ten weeks after cutting. However, repeated trauma can damage the hair roots and cause permanent failure. “When there is direct damage to the edge of the eyelid, the eyelash may become thinner, curled, or in smaller quantities,” the ophthalmologist warns.
Another common problem is an imbalance in the eyelid glands, which are responsible for producing the oily layer of tears, which helps prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. When abrasion changes this area, the eye becomes drier and more exposed, which can worsen discomfort.
If someone does shave their eyelashes, Zago recommends watching for signs of irritation, burning, swelling, pain, redness or eye discharge. It is important to get an ophthalmological evaluation, as the use of lubricating eye drops can relieve the discomfort. Only a specialist can determine whether there is a more serious infection or inflammation.
Although there are no specific studies yet on aesthetic scraping of eyelashes, the medical literature does describe cases in which they are removed for therapeutic reasons, such as in cases of trichiasis (inverted growth of eyelashes) or dystiasis (growth of extra rows).
“Even in these cases, the removal process is carried out under medical supervision and with specialized techniques. Outside of this context, there is no need to risk,” emphasizes the ophthalmologist at Einstein Goiania.
In addition to the physical effects, the doctor draws attention to the role of social media networks in spreading this type of behavior.
“Influencers with millions of followers must realize that their actions have an impact. When they promote practices without a scientific basis, they can lead to dangerous behavior, especially among teenagers who repeat what they see out of curiosity or aesthetics,” Lukas Zago warns.
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