Eye specialists are cautioning against a peculiar new trend where men are altering their eyelashes in hopes of achieving a more ‘masculine’ appearance.
In my 28 years, I’ve never observed a man with long eyelashes and thought, ‘he doesn’t appear manly.’ I suspect most people share this view, but TikTok’s latest trend reveals my perspective isn’t universal.
Recently, several TikTok videos have surfaced featuring men trimming their eyelashes with scissors or electric razors. Some are cutting their lashes down to the eyelid, with a barber on TikTok suggesting it’s to enhance a man’s masculine look.
Celebrity barber and TikToker @truththebarberartist_ posted a video, captioning: “Some might say this is fake, but in all honesty, it’s 100% true.
“I personally witnessed a walk-in client who asked a barber to shave off his eyelashes. He said he didn’t like how long they were and that his wife criticized them for looking too feminine. He was even willing to pay extra.
“But my question to all barbers out there is: Is this service really feasible? Should it be allowed in barbershops? Would you do it if a client asked? And the million dollar question: Is it more manly to shave off your eyelashes?”
The clip provoked diverse reactions, with some wanting to see the outcome and others dismissing the trend as ‘foolish’. Despite differing opinions on appearance, doctors have issued warnings against trimming eyelashes.
In an interview with the Huffington Post regarding the trend, ophthalmologist Dr. Ashley Hayden advised: “Trimming your eyelashes is not at all recommended.”
Dr. Hayden elaborated: “Primarily, it’s not wise to get sharp objects, like scissors, close to your eye. It is hazardous and very easy to damage the delicate surface of your eye, the cornea.”
Moreover, trimming your eyelashes could compromise the body’s natural ‘barrier’ for the eyes.
Dr. Victoria Williams, an oculoplastic surgeon and neuro-ophthalmologist, told HuffPost: “Eyelashes are meant to block foreign objects such as dust, debris and splashes in the eye. It blocks germs and bacteria from getting in your eye and prevents eye infections.”
In addition to shielding against dust, eyelashes help maintain the tear film—a thin fluid layer that covers the eye and guards against irritants. Disruption of this film can lead to dry eyes or tearing.
Eyelashes also serve as sensory detectors for objects nearing the eye, prompting us to blink.
Dr. Thomas Stokkermans, senior medical reviewer at All About Vision, stated: “The eyelashes sense an object as it is about to hit the eye’s surface, triggering a blink reflex. Trimmed eyelashes will give the eyes less time to close, making you more likely to have a corneal abrasion or another eye injury.”
Beyond the potential for injury, it’s important to remember eyelashes shield our eyes from harmful sun rays and reduce sensitivity to bright light.
So, the question remains, would you prefer long eyelashes or risk exposure to dust, bacteria, and glaring light? It seems like an obvious choice to me.