Men Are Trimming Their Eyelashes to Look More Masculine, and Doctors Have a Warning

A beauty trend has men across the country sitting down in barbershops and salons to have their eyelashes trimmed, all in pursuit of a more masculine look. The practice picked up traction on TikTok and other social platforms last year and has since spread around the world, often lumped in with the“looksmaxxing”corner of the internet.

Doctors, though, aren’t on board. Eyelashes are the eye’s first line of protection, shielding against dirt, debris, sweat, and UV rays. Trim them back and you raise your risk of infection, itchiness, and daily discomfort. There’s also the procedure itself to consider, since sharp blades near the eye leave very little room for error. And if you do regret it, those lashes take months to grow back.

The kicker is that eyelash length has nothing to do with masculinity. It’s genetic, and men and women alike grow lashes of every length. The idea that long lashes are feminine is purely a cultural label, not a fact of biology. So if someone you know is tempted by this trend, a good haircut and a sturdy pair of boots will do a lot more for that rugged image, and they won’t cost you months of itchy, unprotected eyes.

Would you ever let a barber near your eyes with scissors? Sound off in the comments.