Eyelash facts for kids
An eyelash is a special kind of hair that grows along the edge of your eyelids. Eyelashes are super important because they act like tiny fences, protecting your eye from small things like dust and dirt. They also work a bit like the whiskers on a cat or a mouse. This means they are very sensitive to touch. If something like an insect gets too close to your eye, your eyelashes feel it, and your eye will quickly close on its own (this is called a reflex).
Most people have hundreds of eyelashes. Each eyelash usually lives for about three months before it falls out and a new one grows in its place.
Eyelashes and People
Beauty and Makeup
In many parts of the world, long eyelashes are seen as a sign of beauty. Because of this, some people like to make their eyelashes look longer. They might use things like eyelash extensions, which are fake lashes glued onto your natural ones. On the other hand, some groups, like the Hadza people, actually trim their eyelashes!
People have been decorating their eyes for a very long time. In the Bronze Age, people used a black substance called kohl to darken the edges of their eyelids and make their eyes stand out. In Ancient Egypt, both rich and royal people used kohl to make their eyes more beautiful.
Today, we have lots of different eye makeup products. These include mascara (to make lashes darker and thicker), eyeliner, and eye shadow. In the 1960s, false eyelashes became very popular. There are also tools like an eyelash curler to make lashes curl upwards, and a mascara shield (or guard) to help you apply mascara neatly.
Some people also get permanent eyelash tints, which color their lashes, or eyelash extensions that last longer. It's even possible to get eyelash transplants! This is when hair from your head is moved to your eyelids. Since this hair comes from your head, it will keep growing and needs to be trimmed regularly, just like the hair on your head.
Eyelashes in Other Animals
Since eyelashes are hair, you'll find them on mammals. Camels, for example, have incredibly long and thick eyelashes that help protect their eyes from sand in the desert. Horses and cows also have eyelashes. Sometimes, certain breeds of dogs and horses can have inherited problems with their eyelashes.
While not common, some birds also have eyelashes. Hornbills have noticeable eyelashes, which are actually tiny vestigial (meaning they don't have a big job anymore) feathers without the usual feathery parts called barbs. Ostriches also have prominent eyelashes.
Amongst reptiles, only the Eyelash viper has something that looks like eyelashes. These aren't hairs, but special modified scales above their eyes that give them their name!
Images for kids
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A stye
See also
In Spanish: Pestaña para niños
