Eyelashes are a fundamental part of female beauty and so it’s worth knowing everything about them – from their growth cycle to their size variations. Check some of these curious facts about eyelashes bellow:
1. Eyelashes Grow In Three Stages
One of the many facts about eyelashes is that their growth cycle has three stages: The anagen, the catagen, and the telogen.
Anagen stage
The anagen is the active growth stage. It takes roughly 2 to 3 weeks for the eyelash to grow from nothing to its full length. The eyelash grows usually about 0.5mm/day.
Catagen stage
The catagen is a transitional stage. It also takes about 2 to 3 weeks during which the eyelash stops growing and the follicle closes off.
Telogen Stage
The telogen stage is the resting stage. An eyelash can hang around for up to 100 days of its life in that stage. It doesn’t grow, it doesn’t change – just makes you pretty.
90% of your lashes are in the telogen resting stage, where they don’t really grow anymore. This means that if you cut your eyelashes, they will actually not grow back but you will have to wait up to 3 months for those to fall off and the new ones to take their place.
If you find this information fascinating, you should check this article for more information.
2. They Fall Out Every Day
Each eyelash goes through the cycle in its own time, which means that you will never be lash-less, so no need to worry. Most people lose on average one to five eyelashes every day. If a person doesn’t lose eyelashes this can be a sign of a health problem. For every eyelash that falls out, it will take approximately eight weeks for a new one to come in and start growing.
Since the growth cycle is much shorter than the hair on your head, your eyelashes never grow that long.
3. Only Mammals Have Lashes
You have eyelashes, Giraffes have them too. Eyelashes are a mammal-only thing.
Have you seen the eyelashes of a cow? They are so long, thick and full, and I can’t be more jealous! I know you can’t wait to see those =)
4. Unborn Have Them, Too
Human babies are born with a brand new pair of lashes. This is because our eyelashes begin to grow before we are born.
The embryo starts to develop eyelashes between the 7th and the 8th week of pregnancy.
5. They’re Basically Our Whiskers and Protect Our Eyes
Yes, that’s right. Eyelashes are not there to make your face pretty. This is not their primary job. They perform the same sensory duty as a cat’s whiskers.
Sensitive as they are, they warn us when dirt is trying to get into our eyes. They also serve as a barrier to sweat, water, and other microorganisms out of our eyes.
6. Eyelashes Are Made of Only Two Things
Eyelashes are a composition of only water (3 percent, to be precise) and 97 percent keratin. Keratin is a protein, very common in hair, skin, and nails. To keep your lashes strong eat foods like eggs, almonds, and chicken.
7. They Have Their Own Glands
They are called Moll and Zeis and they release substances that keep your eyes from drying up and even help to prevent bacterial growth!
8. Eyelashes Have Been Styled For Ages
There are records, referring back to 4000 B.C where people from ancient Egypt used kohl to darken their lashes.
The first non-toxic mascara was invented by Eugene Rimmel in the 19th century, however, mascara in the form that we know was developed by Tom Williams, which was a mixture of Vaseline and coal.
If you are curious and want to know more about the history of eyelashes, I have dedicated this post to it. We are definitely lucky these days! We have so many options – eyelash growth serums, eyelash extensions, fake eyelashes, million types of mascaras…
9. Tiny Mites Live On Your Eyelashes
Don’t panic, but yes, very very small parasitics, only around 0.2 millimeters long, live near our eyelashes and eyebrows.
They are called Demodex and they are actually friends if you don’t get an infestation. They remove dirt and debris and help clean your lash follicles, protecting your eyes from infections. There are around 65 species of them, but only two are found in humans – Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis.
10. They Change As You Get Older
Just like hair, it is very natural for your eyelashes to thin as you mature. To keep them beautiful follow some simple steps for longer and thicker lashes.
11. They Are Thicker On The Top
You have probably already noticed that your lashes on the top are longer and thicker. Yes, they are. The upper lid usually has twice as full with 200 to 300 lashes, while the lower lid has around 100 eyelashes. Middle lashes are also longer than you side lashes, so they vary in length, too.
12. They Can Get Damaged
You can damage your hair if you abuse it too much. Same applies to your eyelashes.
If you damage the hair follicles of the eyelashes, they will become more fragile thinner and shorter. If you damage that follicle enough, it will stop producing hair completely. So, make sure you take proper care of your lashes because they are there to protect your eyes.
13. Curlers Can Also Fracture Your Eyelashes
The common fear related to lash curler is that they will pull your eyelashes out at the root. This is a myth unless you don’t pull the curler on purpose. What you really should take care is not to break them in half.
Don’t crimp them aggressively, pulse the curler with light pressure and do it before applying mascara. Here are more tips on how to properly use curlers.
14. The Eyelash Myth Buster
Have you heard that cutting your lashes will stimulate their growth? This may apply to your hair, but not for your eyelashes. Depending on which stage of growth you catch an eyelash, it will either grow or just stay cut till it falls off.
15. Eyelashes Like Food, Too
What you eat matters, and this also applies to your eyelashes. A good diet can contribute towards hair and eyelash health and growth.
Eyelashes like protein better yet, eat salmon for example, which is rich in proteins and vitamin D, both keys to strong hair. Include in your diet also foods rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps the formation of collagen; vitamin A, which accelerates the production of keratin and new cells, in addition to magnesium and calcium, which activate the growth of enzymes. Learn more about proper foods for healthy eyelashes.
16. They Are Registered In Guinness World Records
The longest eyelash measures 12.40 cm long (about 4 inches), which is impressive in comparison to an average of one centimeter. A woman from China has broken the world record for the longest eyelashes in the world.
I believed I was the sole person who wanted to know about this topic. It is nice to recognize that are interested too. I really hope that you will remain to write about it so that myself as well as others can find our solutions quickly.