If you’re a woman, you may only think of your eyelashes and eyebrows as a means to accentuate and beautify your eyes – perfectly arched eyebrows can create a dramatic look, while long eyelashes are an everlasting symbol of feminine beauty. Although women use mascara to lengthen their lashes and spend time plucking their eyebrows into a perfect shape, eyelashes and eyebrows have several purposes that go beyond pure beauty. In fact, when combined, eyelashes and eyebrows serve a core purpose: they protect your eyes from harm by preventing foreign matter from entering them.
Eyebrows
Clear vision is an important aspect of human survival, and eyebrows help promote clear vision by keeping moisture out of your eyes when you sweat or walk around in the rain. The naturally arched shape of your eyebrows actually redirects moisture to the sides of your face and away from your eyes. Many scientists believe that if humans didn’t evolve to have eyebrows, our body would have “made up” for it in other ways – probably with extremely pronounced foreheads or extra thick eyelashes.
Eyelashes
While long eyelashes can definitely be beautiful, they do serve useful purposes beyond improving your looks. Each day, your eyes come in contact with thousands of microscopic particles in the air, like dust and sand. Luckily, your eyelashes help sweep these particles out of the way. Additionally, eyelashes act in a way similar to the whiskers on a cat. If something is too close to your face or eyes, your eyelashes help tell your eyelids when they need to shut.
Eyelashes work to prevent infection even when your eyes are closed. The curled lashes of your top and bottom lashes connect to form a seal intended to keep unwanted particles out of your eyes. Typically, the upper lid has 90 to 150 lashes, and the bottom lid has between 70 and 80 lashes – when combined, the bond is thick and difficult for foreign matter to penetrate.
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Working Together…
Your eyebrows and eyelashes, in conjunction with your forehead, work together to shield the eyes from blazing sunlight. Although they’re not a substitute for UV-blocking sunglasses, they do help to filter the sunlight that shines in your eyes. Ultimately, the slope of the brow and the placement of eyelashes work in partnership to fight against dangerous particles found naturally in the environment around you.
Maintaining Brow & Eyelash Health
Like the hair on your head, eyelashes and eyebrows naturally fall out and grow back. Although it takes four to six weeks for an eyelash to grow back, it’s unlikely you’ll notice. Now that you realize the importance of eyebrows and eyelashes, you’ll understand the importance of keeping them healthy. Avoid cosmetic hair removal or grooming that may lead to eyelash or brow loss, avoid fake eyelashes at all costs, and maintain a healthy and well-balanced diet.
