Eyelashes: 7 Things You Probably Didn't Know

1. Theyre Basically Our Whiskers

Mammals are the only animals that have eyelashes, and for us humans, they perform the same sensory duty as a cats whiskers. Because theyre so sensitive to touch, they let us know when insects, dirt, and debris are trying to get into our eyes, while also serving as the first line of defense by catching anything thats trying to make it past our lids.

2. Theyre Home to Teeny, Tiny Mites

Yes, there are parasitic mites living on your lashesbut theyre friends, not foes. Known as Demodex, these mites help remove dirt and clean your lash follicles, protecting your eye from gross infections. People with fewer lashes are actually more likely to get painful styes, so thank those mites for keeping you healthy and infection-free!

3. Theyre Practically All Protein

Eyelashes are 97 percent keratin (and 3 percent water!). To keep them strong, look for biotin (aka vitamin H) in your lash products, like Chellas Lash Full-Fillment Eyelash Treatment, and in foods like chicken, eggs, almonds and whole grains. Also, up your vitamin C intake: Antioxidants found in citrus fruits and avocadosyum!help repair lashes and protect against damage.

4. They Have a Short Life Span

If it feels like youre always shedding lashes, dont freak out. Lashes have a life span of about 90 days, and on average, one to five of your lashes will fall out every day. For each one that falls out, it takes about four to eight weeks for a new one to come in and grow to its full length. Luckily, youre never completely lash-less because all your lashes are in different growth phrases.

5. Eyelashes Grow in Stages

Three different stages to be exact: The anagen phase (the active growth period), the catagen phase (the transitional period), and the telogen phase (the resting period). At any given time, 90 percent of your lashes are in the active growth stage where they grow about .16 millimeters a day. The longest lashes on record made it to 6.99 centimeters (2.75 inches!) and belonged to a man. If by some accident you happen to cut or singe off all your lashes, they will grow back but it will take about five months.

6. Theyre Thicker On Top

If youve always felt your top lashes were fuller than your bottom lashes, thats because they are. The upper lid usually has about 200-300 lashes total, while the lower lid only has 75 to 100 lashes. Middle lashes are also generally longer than your side lashessomething to keep in mind the next time youre applying your mascara!

7. Theyve Been an Accessory for Ages

The Ancient Egyptians were the first to darken their lashes with kohl as early as 4000 BC. The modern mascara formula were now so fond of was first created in 1913 in France by Rimmel, and popularized stateside by Maybellines premiere formula, a blend of coal and Vaseline.